Stephen F. Austin State University recently added eight more certified public managers to the ranks through its nationally accredited certified public manager program, hosted by SFA’s Department of Government.
Since the program’s inception at SFA in 2002, more than 160 working public administrators have completed it to join nearly 2,000 certified public managers in Texas.
The CPM program trains public and nonprofit managers in the ethical values, technical competencies and management skills associated with public service.
Recent graduates are Reggie Cooper, Marshall fire chief; David Craft, Lindale finance director; Sereca Huff-Huggins, Van secretary; Ellie Monteaux, Livingston city secretary and assistant city manager; Laure Morgan, Hemphill city manager; Theresa Bell, Teague city administrator; Kyle Roadcap, Longview water department supervisor; and Brannon Robertson, White Oak patrol lieutenant. The graduates will be recognized during a ceremony at the Texas capitol.
“The nationally accredited program is designed for working professionals seeking to improve their leadership skills and enhance their opportunities for promotion into management positions,” said Dr. Richard Herzog, SFA professor of public administration and CPM program director.
According to Herzog, the CPM curriculum comprises seven courses or tracks designed to help build working public administrators’ skills in managing real-world public management challenges. The program entails 175 contact hours of management training and education. Topics covered include personnel administration, managing for quality, public financing and budgeting, productivity and program evaluation, and information systems for managers.
In addition to completing the coursework, each participant is expected to complete an applied research practicum and capstone research paper. Herzog said the research papers would be considered for future publication in the online journal Certified Public Manager Applied Research, which is published and hosted by SFA’s Steen Library.
More information about SFA’s CPM program and registration for future sessions is available at sfasu.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-applied-arts/government/academics/certified-public-manager.
By Emily Brown, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.
