Certificate News April 2021
The Local Government Certificate Program is in the midst of a rigorous semester. We are gearing up for the Summer semester and continuing our recruitment efforts and answering questions about the Local Government Certificate Program through a virtual webinar led by Dr. Stephanie Davis. The Summer application deadline is May 1, 2021 with a $25 application fee and students who work for local governments can apply for the Bob Stripling Scholarship program (more details below) for tuition assistance. For more information, please find our spring session below:
● Thursday, April 15, 2021: 12pm-1pm
Zoom: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83551852911
VT ICMA Student Chapter
For the March VT ICMA Student Chapter, we invited the JMU and Radford ICMA Student Chapters to join us in welcoming Drew Williams, CEO of the Berkley Group, and Dr. Celeste Greene, UVA. Drew presented about the Berkley Group and general partnership opportunities within local government and Dr. Greene presented on equity and social justice and how it pertains to environmental policies. Dr. Greene is the program Director for the UVA Graduate Certificate in Public Administration and focuses her work on Environmental Justice. Next month, we will welcome Peggy White, Tourism Director of Pulaski County.
Bob Stripling Scholarship Fund Information
The VLGMA Scholarship Committee shares the opportunity to contribute to the “Bob Stripling Scholarship Fund” for the Local Government Management Graduate Certificate Program. The Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students currently employed with a Virginia local jurisdiction. The scholarships are funded by individuals and private sector business donations who share in our goal to prepare the next generation of local government leaders. In FY2020, over 48 students received assistance equaling $40,797! The updated Scholarship Fund brochure with student testimonials, a scholarship breakdown, and how to donate or obtain more information is posted on the VLGMA scholarship webpage: https://icma.org/vlgmabob-stripling-scholarship-program.
The Local Government Management Certificate Program and the Scholarship Fund is consistent with VLGMA’s Strategic Plan Focus Area: Next Generation of the Profession, Strategic Goal #3, specifically supporting this educational resource.