ATLANTA, GA. (October 25, 2023) – The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG or Georgia’s Counties) awarded county officials with certificates for completing requirements in the ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy. Recipients were presented with their achievement certificates during the 2023 ACCG Legislative Leadership Conference at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in Glynn County. Monroe County District 2 Commissioner Edward “Eddie” Rowland was honored for successfully completing the County Operations and Management specialty track requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy.
ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia have collaborated for more than two decades to provide county officials with supplemental training and educational tools in the Lifelong Learning Academy. With abundant courses from which they may choose, every county official has a tailor-made learning experience that allows them to excel in specific areas of expertise.
“The Lifelong Learning Academy is critical to educating county officials about the challenges they may encounter in public service,” said Dave Wills, ACCG Executive Director. “County leaders who prioritize furthering their education are better equipped to address those challenges and are assets to their communities. I commend Rowland for his unwavering dedication to understanding his community.”
The Lifelong Learning Academy was created with input from county commissioners who identified courses based on the issues and decision-making challenges regularly faced by county officials. To ensure the course requirements and curriculum remain relevant and engaging, the ACCG Lifelong Learning Committee – comprised of county commissioners and staff from both ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia – meet regularly to review and adjust accordingly. Through this collaborative approach, the Lifelong Learning Academy has been successful in equipping county officials with the necessary skills to meet the needs of their constituents.
“I’ve always been intrigued with County Operations and Management and felt it would be beneficial to learn more about it,” Commissioner Rowland said. “I could have focused on one particular topic within government, but County Operations and Management covers all aspects of the county.”
