Winter 2024 Ikerd Scholardship Recipient

The following is a Winter 2024 Conference Recap from Ikerd Scholarship recipient, Kate Starr. 



I am a graduate student pursuing my MPA degree at Appalachian State University. Throughout my educational career, I have interacted with professionals through internships at the City of Hickory, Catawba County, and the City of Lenoir. Most recently, I have begun a part-time role with Alexander County and am particularly interested in local government management. 

I am thrilled to be the recipient of the Ikerd Scholarship this year, which allowed me to attend the NCLGBA Winter Budget Conference for the first time. Three key highlights stood out during my experience: professional networking, budgetary decision-making, and strategic planning.

The conference provided numerous opportunities to connect with accomplished practitioners, fostering relationships that will be invaluable as I advance my career in local government management. The networking sessions, such as the evening reception, allowed me to interact with seasoned experts and learn from their experiences navigating the complexities of local government budgets. 

The “Dollars, Dilemmas, and the Wild Ride of the Budgetary Decision-Making Process” session examined the intricacies of financial planning in public administration. The discussion illuminated the balance of power and responsibility between various stakeholders in local government, providing a practical understanding of how decisions shape community outcomes.

Lastly, the “Strategic Planning in the Real World” session demonstrated how effective planning connects to performance measures and political realities. It emphasized using clear objectives and tools to align strategic goals with fiscal resources, a tool I am eager to add to my skill set in the future. 

Overall, these experiences deepened my commitment to public service and enhanced my professional perspective. I am excited to continue my engagement with NCLGBA, and thank you to all the professionals who shared their experiences with me!