Perdue to speak on leadership for journalism school series

In one of her first public appearances since leaving the Governor’s Mansion, Bev Perdue will discuss leadership and living a public life.

Perdue will speak today to kick off the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Women in the Media Leadership Series.

“She’s the first woman governor in the state. (I thought) if we could launch the series with someone of her stature, that would be a fantastic opportunity,” said Susan King, dean of the journalism school.

Perdue will join King on stage along with Karen Gil, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and journalism students Averi Harper and Jessica Kennedy.

King said students will be able to ask questions after the free event.

Harper, a senior and co-anchor of the “Carolina Week” newscast, said she is excited to meet Perdue and learn from her.

“I think this will be a really great opportunity for the journalism school, especially since more than 70 percent of our students are female,” she said.

King created the series to showcase women in leadership roles and in the public eye. Future speakers include CNBC correspondent Kayla Tausche on Feb. 25 and author Tia McCollors on April 23.

“When I graduated from college, no one said, “What would you like your public life to be?” King said. “The expectations for women then were not very high. Now my expectations for women students: sky high.”

Perdue was also the first female lieutenant governor and the first woman to chair the N.C. Senate Appropriations Committee.

Ferrel Guillory, a UNC journalism professor and expert on Southern politics, said he expects Perdue to encourage women to pursue leadership positions.

“Her own life story serves as a model for elevating women into important positions,” he said. “I think she’ll reflect on her own experiences and draw some lessons.”

Perdue, who did not run for re-election and was succeeded by Gov. Pat McCrory, battled low approval ratings in the second half of her term. Guillory said Perdue faced difficult conditions, including the recession and a change in leadership in the General Assembly.

She was also accused by The (Raleigh) News & Observer for not being media-friendly, but Guillory said Perdue was a visible governor.

“I don’t mean that in terms of holding press conferences, but she was out in the public a lot,” he said. “Transparency isn’t specifically a relationship with the press; it’s the relationship with the public, her own cabinet, the legislature.”

Contact the desk editor at state@dailytarheel.com.