Transparent Budgeting Model Created by Gardner-Webb Alumnus Praised by District Leader

Brian Hoyle, ’23, Completed Innovative Project for Master of Public Administration Program Capstone Thesis

By Avery Copeland, Intern for University Communications

Brian Hoyle, a recent graduate of Gardner-Webb University’s accelerated Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, is revolutionizing how communities engage with public budgeting. After graduating from the program in December 2023, Hoyle is now pursuing a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership at Gardner-Webb. He is also making waves as a non-profit and executive leadership development consultant. Hoyle’s innovative approach to transparency and citizen involvement in government decisions is already catching the attention of district council members, establishing him as a trailblazer in the field of public administration.

Hoyle chose to attend Gardner-Webb’s MPA program to advance his career and learning in an environment that offered flexibility to fit his schedule. For the final capstone thesis of the 10-month program, he designed a model to publish the public budgeting process for the community. Hoyle noted that capstone projects from other students in the program focused on housing, education, poverty, and other public administration challenges.

Hoyle’s model for transparency in public budgeting authorizes citizens to engage directly with government officials. It fosters active participation in the decision-making process, enabling people from all walks of life to contribute ideas and feedback on fund allocation for their community. By adopting the charrette model, typically a collaboration technique used in complex building design, Hoyle redefined its application, bringing various groups of people together to collaborate and participate in the public budgeting process. Hoyle asked, “Isn’t a budget really a reflection of public values?”

Hoyle has already taken steps towards implementing his public budgeting process, having recently met with a district council member from Raleigh, N.C. This council member is keen on adopting Hoyle’s transparent public budgeting model in Raleigh, which is a testament to its efficiency and potential impact. As Hoyle reflected on this possibility, he remarked, “That, to me, is a payoff that is hard to put into words, much less put a dollar figure on … It’s priceless.”

Attending a 10-month program, rather than a more traditional master’s program, requires tremendous commitment and dedication to one’s education. “You’ve got to have passion for wanting to learn at this pace and to be able to reconfigure certain things within your life to be able to prioritize your learning,” Hoyle noted. He encourages students interested in applying to Gardner-Webb’s MPA program to contact Dr. Bobbie Cox ([email protected]), the program director who designed the curriculum with accreditation. “This curriculum is about taking people who are already practitioners of public administration and refining them and making them the experts in that field,” he added.

Gardner-Webb designed its Master of Public Administration program to prepare students for a career in public administration, including local, state, federal, and non-profit agencies. This 36-hour master’s program works to enhance and develop students’ skills and competencies within public administration.

Ready to take the next step in your career and become a leader in public administration? Join Gardner-Webb’s Master of Public Administration program today and make a difference in your community.

Avery Copeland, of Atlanta, Ga., is a senior English major.

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University’s tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University’s official Admissions page.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.