Carsey School of Public Policy

The Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire is widely known for its research, policy education, and civic engagement work. The school publishes policy-relevant research briefs, offers four master's degree programs, and brings people together for thoughtful dialogue to address societal challenges.

Explore Our Academic Programs

Explore Our Research

Solutions from Across the United States to Improve Language Access in Child Care Systems
To understand what it takes to build statewide, language accessible child care systems, this brief examines approaches to language access across 49 states and the District of Columbia. Read the brief.
Foreign Policy and the New Hampshire Electorate: The 2026 Midterms
In this brief, author Melinda Negrόn-Gonzales draws on polls of New Hampshire voters and residents from the UNH Survey Center and the Saint Anselm College Survey Center to examine how voters view these issues and how they connect to the concerns shaping their choices in the midterm elections. Read the brief.
Rural America Grew During the Pandemic Era Because of Migration Gains
In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson examines rural demographic trends finding that between 2020 and 2025, rural America gained population after widespread population losses between 2010 and 2020. Read the brief.
Forests, Lakes, and “Hidden” Housing
This brief focuses on the interaction between human development and forest land near lakes across ten selected U.S. counties and on the limitations of remote satellite imagery to properly reflect this interaction. Read the brief.
Universal Free Lunch: Why Not New Hampshire?
In this perspectives brief, author Delaney Hesler shares the results of a 2025 survey to assess local support in New Hampshire and Maine for universal free meals. She discusses the implementation of Maine’s program, challenges for implementation in New Hampshire, and future threats to universal meals. Read the brief.
What’s the Scoop on Life in New Hampshire? Youth Perspectives on New Hampshire as a Place to Live, Learn, and Work After High School
This brief analyzes the perspectives of New Hampshire youth and proposes actionable strategies that encourage them to build their futures in the state. Read the brief.
Public School-Affiliated Preschool Programs in New Hampshire, 2024–2025 School Year
In this brief, authors Tyrus Parker, Kamala Nasirova, and Jess Carson report on the results from the second annual New Hampshire preschool in public schools survey. Read the brief.
All Six New England States Gain Population, but Demographic Basis of Gain Varies
In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that New England’s population grew by 310,000 between the 2020 Census in April 2020 and July 2025 and now stands at 15,432,000, according to new Census Bureau estimates. Read the brief.
2024 New Hampshire Civic Health Report
This report focuses on the civic health of New Hampshire from 2019 through 2024 using a specific set of indicators. The intent behind this report is that the data at the state level can be used to help both the state overall and local communities strengthen civic health. Read the Report.
Local Civic Health: A Guide to Building Community and Bridging Divides
This seven-part guide is designed to help people at the local level collect data to better understand what factors bring people together or push them apart. The information can help communities to thrive and strengthen democracy at the local level. Read the guide.

Explore Our Centers

Center for Demography

Center for Demography

Center for Engaged Communities

Center for Engaged Communities

Center for Social Policy in Practice

Is the Master of Public Administration Program Worth the Investment?

Chioma Agbahiwe had wanted her MPA for years. But life had other priorities. She was caring for her mother and raising two daughters while building a career in the nonprofit sector, working her way up to executive director.

When her daughters finished high school, she finally made the call.

"I always knew I wanted a Master's of Public Administration [degree]. Once my daughters finished high school, I was able to dedicate time to finding, joining, and completing a master's program."

She found Carsey's MPA at UNH — an online program she could complete while working full-time in Los Angeles — and enrolled. Today she is the Senior Program Manager of Outreach and Engagement for the California Jobs First Initiative at the LA County Economic Development Corporation, coordinating regional economic development planning across nearly 10 million residents. The skills she uses every day, she says, trace directly back to what she learned at Carsey.

This is her story.

Upcoming Events

November

18

Carsey Policy Hour: Looking Beyond Development — The Future of Housing Affordability in New Hampshire

8 a.m. - 9 a.m., New Hampshire has adopted several new pieces of legislation aimed at building new housing. These new laws open the door to more development of multifamily housing, workforce housing, and accessory dwelling units. This discussion will provide an overview of these measures and look ahead at the next steps of addressing the housing crisis. What action can we take to help municipalities implement these changes? And what options are available for Granite Staters who are trying to…
November

18

NH Listens: Advanced Facilitator Training

Noon - 2:30 p.m., New Hampshire Listens’ Online Advanced Facilitator Training focuses on those difficult moments where people are in dialogue across significant differences. Many people are often trained to remain “neutral” when serving as facilitators for public engagement and community dialogues. However, that doesn’t mean facilitators should remain passive in the face of misunderstandings and harmful dynamics. We focus on self-reflection, centering equity, and building confidence to address…
December

2

NH Listens Local Lunch Box: Creating Welcoming Spaces

Noon - 1 p.m., New Hampshire Listens' Local Lunch Box is a 45-minute informative and interactive session aimed at sharing bite-sized tips and resources from our toolbox for community engagement and facilitation. Topics range from building community, hosting events, creating group agreements, and more! In this session, we'll share tips on cultivating an environment that keeps your events engaging and productive while attending to differences in participant perspectives. Save Your Seat!