MPA Executive in Residence Named Interim Associate Provost

June 1, 2016
Categories: College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences, Honors & Awards
Curt Walton

Retired Charlotte City Manager and UNC Charlotte alumnus Curt Walton will serve UNC Charlotte as interim associate provost for Metropolitan Studies and Extended Academic Programs.

In addition to this role, Walton will continue as executive-in-residence with teaching and advising responsibilities in the Gerald G. Fox Master of Public Administration program in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, a role he assumed in late 2015. Walton, who retired as Charlotte’s city manager in 2013, also serves as liaison with the city of Charlotte, University City Partners and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

“We are confident in Curt’s abilities to maximize opportunities for collaboration, and we know he will work to broaden the University’s reach within the region,” said Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.

As interim associate provost, Walton succeeds Owen Furuseth, who is retiring at the end of June 2016 after 39 years at UNC Charlotte.

Walton’s resume includes more than 30 years of experience as a leader in public service. During his time with the city of Charlotte, he also was budget director and deputy city manager before becoming city manager in 2007. In addition, he used his expertise in interim executive roles with the Council for Children’s Rights, University City Partners and Classroom Central. Before joining UNC Charlotte, Walton was vice president of real estate and facilities management at the Foundation for the Carolinas, one of the largest community foundations in the country.

Walton has served on the board of directors for the Arts and Science Council, United Way of the Central Carolinas, Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte Center City Partners, Champions for Education and the Queens University of Charlotte Board of Visitors.

Walton earned a Master of Urban Administration – now Master of Public Administration – from UNC Charlotte and throughout his career has been a strong supporter of the MPA program. He was inducted into the UNC Charlotte Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012 and also has received The Order of the Longleaf Pine for exemplary service to the State of North Carolina.

His undergraduate degrees in political science and psychology are from UNC Chapel Hill. He also completed leadership certification programs through Harvard University, UNC Chapel Hill, the Center for Intentional Leadership and Leadership Charlotte.