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Our Organization
For over 30 years, ASULGAA has been dedicated to the professional development of ASU alumni serving in public administration and the development of ASU's programs that educate and train the next generation of government leaders.
Our Story
The ASULGAA centers around the TACCM and MPA programs offered at Appalachian State University. Town and City County Management (TACCM) is a specific concentration in the Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science designed to train local government managers. The program was started in the 1970's with Dr. Matt Williamson among the first professors. Dr. Williamson was an ardent supporter of the program and the local government managers it produced. Williamson was known to tour the state meeting with Mayors and other elected officials espousing the benefits of professional local government management and the quality of the students graduating from the program at ASU.
As times changed, so did the academic credentials required to serve as a town, city or county manager. In response, the university developed the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree which has been in continuous operation at Appalachian State University since1988.
As the impact and prominence of the TACCM and MPA programs grew, program alumni founded the Appalachian State University Local Government Alumni Association (ASULGAA) in 1991 to strengthen the academic programs at Appalachian State and provide professional development and networking opportunities for students and alumni.
The ASULGAA Team
Members of the ASULGAA range from recent graduates starting their careers in local governments to some of the most prominent and accomplished local government officials in the state. Below are profiles for just a handful of our members.
Grant Goings
Wilson City Manager & ASULGAA Member
Grant has served as the City Manager in Wilson, NC (pop. 49,272) since 2005. He oversees a $265 million city budget and more than 750 employees. Grant has been a longtime active member of the ASULGAA.
Our Work
The ASULGAA provides technical support to related academic programs at ASU. The director of the MPA program is an ex-officio member of the ASULGAA Board to solidify the groups connection to the school's academics. Alumni regularly serve the program as guest speakers and in some cases teach classes. Every year, ASULGAA members provide numerous internship opportunities for students in the TACCM and MPA programs providing them with invaluable practical experience in local government.
The ASULGAA also fundraises and contributes to various scholarship funds and permanently endow as many scholarships as possible to benefit students for years to come. Over the years, the ASULGAA has created and contributed to a number of student scholarships oriented towards students in the TACCM and MPA programs and Appalachian State University including:
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Robert G. Hester Scholarship Endowment for Local Government
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Southern Corrosion Local Government Association Scholarship Endowment
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Matt Williamson Scholarship for Town, City, and County Management
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Mayor Roy Maness Local Government Endowment
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Utility Services Local Government Scholarship
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Marvin Hoffman Local Government Scholarship
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Jimmy C. Draughn Scholarship for Local Government