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County Commissioner Academy

County Commissioner Academy is a professional development program for commissioners incorporating a series of events and workshops focused on the day-to-day responsibilities of a Michigan county commissioner. 

County Commissioner Academy (CCA), first launched in 2019, is moving to its “2.0” stage to keep pace with the rapidly changing demands on commissioners via their new four-year service terms.

Register Now: MAC Spring Webinar - Conflict Styles and Constructive Dialogue

June 23, 2025: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern
Via Zoom (Click here to register.)
CCA Credits: 1

Conflict is an inevitable part of leadership and community work — but how we approach it can mean the difference between division and meaningful progress. In this interactive one-hour session, we’ll explore practical tools for identifying your own conflict style, navigating challenging personalities, and reframing tough conversations into opportunities for collaboration. You’ll also learn how Convergence’s nationally recognized Collaborative Problem-Solving process can be used to bridge divides, build trust, and create understanding across differences in your public meetings.

The session will be facilitated by Mariah Levison, President & CEO of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, and Gabriel Herrera, Director of Programs. Mariah brings more than 15 years of experience in dialogue, mediation, and public engagement, with a deep focus on helping groups in conflict find common ground. Gabriel is a dialogue facilitator with nearly a decade of experience in conflict coaching, mediation, and collaborative problem-solving – bringing diverse voices together to navigate complex challenges.

 

Click here for more details.

While much has changed with CCA, several key elements have carried over from the popular program’s “1.0” variant:

  • The ability to earn annual certificates, with graduates being honored each year at the Legislative Conference
  • The participation of educational partners, such as MSU Extension, the Michigan Department of Treasury and the National Association of Counties
  • The use of credits earned by attending MAC and allied events

The academy shifts to a series of one-year cycles designed around specific issue areas:

  • Budgeting/finance
  • Board operations
  • County board as employer
  • County board as “Legislature”

At the end of a four-year cycle, each commissioner who is still serving (i.e., re-elected) and who has earned all the one-year certificates is deemed “Advanced.”

How a cycle works

The four-year study cycle starts from the New Commissioner School (NCS) and ends in October prior to the next NCS. For example, the current cycle began with the 2024 NCS and will conclude in October of 2028.

Earning credits and certificates

The number of credits offered and needed for certification in an issue area will change year by year in the four-year cycle, as reflected in the table below:

Year/Issue Area

# of Credits Offered

# of Credits to Certify

1/Board Operations

10

7

2/Budget and Finance

8

5

3/County as Employer

8

5

4/County as Policymaker

8

5

 

MAC County Commissioner Academy logo

CCA-qualifying sessions

2025
Class of 2025 Graduates (for credits earned through October 2024)

CCA credits

  • New Commissioner School = 3 credits
  • MAC Legislative or Annual Conference = 2 credits
  • MAC or partner webinars = 1 credit

 For more information about CCA, contact MAC Communications Director Derek Melot at melot@micounties.org or 517-372-5374.

NACo High Performance Leadership Academy

The NACo High Performance Leadership Academy is an innovative, completely online 12-week program created to equip frontline county government professionals with practical leadership skills to deliver results for counties and communities. (Click here to learn about NACo’s Enterprise Cybersecurity Leadership Academy.)

  • Efficient: 12 weeks in duration
  • Non-disruptive: 100% online virtual mentorship / 4-5 hours per week
  • Scalable: Flexible to accommodate small or large team enrollment
  • Top Leaders: Led by accomplished CIOs, CISOs, Gen. Colin Powell and Marshall Goldsmith
  • CPE credits: Qualifies for up to 54 CPEs (including 5 credit hours with MAC’s County Commissioner Academy)
  • Certified: Approved by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), IAAO and SHRM

With a robust curriculum developed by the Professional Development Academy in partnership with Fortune 1000 executives, public sector leaders, world-renowned academics and thought leaders, including Gen. Colin Powell and Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, HPLA was designed specifically for the unique challenges and opportunities of serving in county government.