Jessica Anderson - Public Policy

Jess Anderson earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and psychology from Northeastern University and a master's degree in public policy from Duke University. She lives in Chapel Hill with her husband, daughter, and son.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson Announces 2025 Re-Election ...

Jess is a professor of practice at UNC's public policy department. She previously worked as a senior policy analyst at the SERVE Center at UNC-Greensboro.

Mayor Jess Anderson | Town of Chapel Hill, NC

Jess is the current mayor of Chapel Hill. She was elected in 2023 and is serving her first term. She previously served two terms on the Chapel Hill town council

Believes rising costs and shrinking revenue are putting pressure on families, renters, and seniors.

Promises to review the budget annually to ensure essential funding, wise spending, and controlled taxes.

Plans to develop a five-year strategy to slow property tax growth.

- Believes rising costs and shrinking revenue are putting pressure on families, renters, and seniors.
- Promises to review the budget annually to ensure essential funding, wise spending, and controlled taxes.
- Plans to develop a five-year strategy to slow property tax growth.

Economy

Supports the town's planning framework adopted in 2022 that emphasizes improved connectivity, intentional density, and a variety of housing types.

As mayor, worked with the council to improve Chapel Hill's downtown area by partnering with the University to create the Innovate Carolina Junction, a coworking space on Rosemary Street.

As mayor, championed the Town's Five-Year Budget Strategy, which helps the council plan for the future.

As mayor, involved in the Chapel Hill Peoples Academy, a program that educates constituents on the operations of the Town.

- Supports the town's planning framework adopted in 2022 that emphasizes improved connectivity, intentional density, and a variety of housing types.
- As mayor, worked with the council to improve Chapel Hill's downtown area by partnering with the University to create the Innovate Carolina Junction, a coworking space on Rosemary Street.
- As mayor, championed the Town's Five-Year Budget Strategy, which helps the council plan for the future.
- As mayor, involved in the Chapel Hill Peoples Academy, a program that educates constituents on the operations of the Town.

Public Services

Plans to update stormwater policies to reduce flood damage and improve water management.

As mayor, supported the approval of $44 million in bond orders during the 2024 elections to help with affordable housing efforts.

- Plans to update stormwater policies to reduce flood damage and improve water management.
- As mayor, supported the approval of $44 million in bond orders during the 2024 elections to help with affordable housing efforts.

Housing & Urban Development

As of September 3, 2025, Jess Anderson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Plans to create safe walking and biking routes for children and families to schools.

- Plans to create safe walking and biking routes for children and families to schools.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

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Jess Anderson

Jess Anderson earned a bachelor of arts in journalism and psychology from Northeastern University and a master of public policy from Duke University. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Jess is a professor of the practice at UNC's public policy department, where she manages the MPP capstone program. She previously worked as a senior policy analyst at the SERVE Center at UNC-Greensboro.

As of September 3, 2025, Jess Anderson did not have a website or any information online.

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.