CSU President Ronald M. Berkman, Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson and Ronald B. Richard, President and CEO of the Cleveland Foundation are pleased to announce the Cleveland Management Academy, an exciting new program that builds a bridge between higher education and the delivery of exceptional public service to the residents and stakeholders of the City of Cleveland.

Beginning October 7, 2009, this public private partnership will enable an initial group of 30 City of Cleveland mid-level administrators to begin a one-year concentrated study in Public Management Development. Another group of 30 city employees will begin the program in 2010 with a completion date of 2011. This program is part of the Mayor’s strategy to expand the management skills necessary for city personnel to deliver more and better service with existing resources. It is anticipated that as many as 2,000 city employees will eventually be eligible to participate in the program.

The Cleveland Foundation is funding the program with a $181,500 grant. The curriculum was developed by the Center for Leadership Development at CSU’s Levin College of Urban Affairs and is specialized to address recommendations that came out of Mayor Jackson’s “Operations Efficiency Task Force”.

Participants are from a cross section of departments such as, Public Utilities, Public Health, Public Service, Port Control, OEO, Personnel, Aging, Community Relations, Building and Housing, Public Safety and and Finance. There were 60 available seats in the program and 79 employees applied. Participants were selected by a committee on the basis of their application, a written essay and a math aptitude test.

Employees will learn improved managerial efficiency and effectiveness, innovative approaches to everyday problems, practice improved methods of intergovernmental communication and will provide opportunities for practical experience. The project methodology transforms the workplace into a real-life laboratory, integrating theory and practice over the course of 25 all-day workshops.

# # #