Jessica Anderson

Jessica Anderson is a Professor of the Practice at the University of North Carolina, managing the MPP Capstone program. She concurrently serves as the Mayor of Chapel Hill, having previously held roles on the Chapel Hill Town Council and as Mayor Pro Tempore (2017–2019). Her academic background includes a B.A. in Journalism with a Psychology minor from Northeastern University and a Master of Public Policy (Social Policy concentration) from Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy.

• Education:
• B.A., Journalism (with Psychology minor), Northeastern University
• M.P.P., Social Policy, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University

Her professional focus centers on public policy analysis, particularly in education systems, youth homelessness, and community development. Prior to her academic role, she worked as a senior policy analyst at the SERVE Center at UNC-Greensboro, specializing in needs assessments for school districts and program evaluations at the state level. She has also provided technical assistance to communities nationwide addressing youth homelessness.

Jessica actively engages in local governance and education initiatives, including volunteering with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate Program and serving on multiple town boards and commissions.