Upcoming Sessions

Program Overview

Today’s senior executives in state and local governments face greater demands from a skeptical public than at any time before. Leading effectively in this environment is an enormous challenge. Senior executives in government and nonprofit organizations need the skills and insights to develop creative solutions under tight constraints and increased public scrutiny.

Senior Executives in State and Local Government, a three-week, on-campus program, provides those skills and insights through a combination of traditional and hands-on learning experiences.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM

Under the direction of Faculty Chair David King, the interactive classroom serves as a forum for raising difficult issues in a way that encourages productive and positive conversation. You, your peers, and the faculty will work together to apply lessons in real time using real-life case studies. By learning from each other, you will acquire fresh insights into an array of strategic management and leadership issues.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

As a seasoned public official, you will learn to develop new conceptual frameworks for addressing policy issues. You will examine your own leadership style and how you can be more effective. And you will explore the relationship between citizens and their government.

Topics include:

  • Leadership: Learn to exercise leadership without authority while analyzing and managing dynamics that impede progress
  • Negotiation: Move beyond positional bargaining to build strong, resilient relationships with key partners
  • Effective partnerships: Create and manage key relationships for maximum impact
  • Policy modeling and implementation: Discover how to craft policy to address critical issues—and how to determine whether you are successful
  • Urgent and real-time challenges: Delve into the issues that state and local leaders confront every day, such as finance and budgeting, crisis management, community safety, and economic development

Application Information

View a draft program schedule here.

At the end of the first week, you will participate in a one-day experiential program at Outward Bound on scenic Thompson Island, part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. The tailored program addresses the theory and practice of leadership, communication style, and personal, professional, and team dynamics. Participation on Thompson Island is required to successfully complete the program.

Fellowship Opportunities for the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program


Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education recognizes that tuition payment is an obstacle for some applicants. We have identified several fellowship opportunities available to individuals who are applying to Senior Executives in State and Local Government (other programs may apply).

The following fellowships are administered by separate organizations and have a selection process entirely independent of Harvard Kennedy School. We encourage participants to explore relevant opportunities from this list, and to search for additional sources of fellowship support.

ANNUAL FELLOWSHIPS

For city/county managers in Arizona:
The Arizona City/County Management Association gives full fellowships to two applicants from Arizona each year. Applicants should apply directly to ACMA. Click on the link above for instructions on how to apply for this fellowship.

For state, local, and nonprofit officials in California:
The Josefowitz California Fellowship Fund is awarded annually to three senior-level civil servants working in California with a preference for applicants from the Bay Area. The fellowship covers all but $1,000 of total tuition costs, which includes housing, all curricular materials, and most meals. Click here for more information on this fellowship.

For state, county, and local officials in Colorado:
The Gates Family Foundation provides up to five partial fellowships for state, county and local officials from Colorado. To be considered for this fellowship, please complete the online program application. In response to the “Who will be the financial sponsor of your participation?” question, type “Gates.” Click here for more information and deadlines.

For state, county, and local officials in Maine:
The Brooks Foundation partially sponsors public officials from Maine each year. To be considered for this fellowship, please complete the online program application. In response to the “Who will be the financial sponsor of your participation?” question, type “Brooks.”  

For state and local officials in New Hampshire:
The Caroline and Martin Gross Fellowship of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is given to one applicant each year and covers full tuition. Only New Hampshire state and local officials who demonstrate the highest standards of performance in public service are considered for this Fellowship. Candidates must be nominated for the award. Click on the link above for more information on this fellowship.

For state, local, and nonprofit officials in Rhode Island:
The Hassenfeld Family Foundation Rhode Island Public Service Fellowship provides advanced public management training to individuals committed to the public welfare of Rhode Island’s citizens through outstanding service in its state, local and nonprofit agencies. The fellowship can be applied to selected Executive Education programs that run between May 1 and November 30. The award provides full tuition (including housing and most meals) for one of seven Executive Education programs at Harvard Kennedy School. Click here to learn more about these programs and the application process.

For local elected officials from SEMCOG's member communities:
SEMCOG's Taubman Fellowships, sponsored by the Taubman Company, cover the costs of tuition, room, and board for elected county, city, village and township officials working in Southeast Michigan communities which belong to SEMCOG. Southeast Michigan is the home to Taubman Company headquarters. Contact Amy Malmer, Membership Manager, SEMCOG, for more information.

For Members of ICMA:
Full Members of the International City/County Managers Association who are either Managers or Assistant Mangers in their local jurisdiction are eligible to apply for a fellowship from ICMA. For more information, or to apply for the scholarship, please click here.

For openly LGBT state, county, and local officials:
The David Bohnett LGBT Leadership Fellowship provides a limited number of fellowships for openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender state, county and local officials. For more information and to review the additional requirements for this Fellowship, please click here.

For senior state, county, and local officials planning to run for office
The Cahn Public Service Fellowship supports senior public officials who plan to bring problem-solving skill and acumen to elected office. The Fellowship is open to officials from any American state or municipality. Applicants can be in non-elected positions or already in elected office and planning to seek higher office. Selected recipients must attend the July session of Senior Executives in State & Local Government. The fellowship covers all but $1,000 of total tuition costs, which includes housing, all curricular materials, and most meals. To be considered for this fellowship, please complete the online program application. In response to the “Who will be the financial sponsor of your participation?” question, type “Cahn.” 

VA Benefits:
Information on VA benefits for U.S. participants is available here.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING

“The program is brilliantly constructed with so much interactive and experiential learning with foremost thought leaders and dynamic fellow participants.”

Abe Laydon, Chairman of the Board of Douglas County Commissioners, Colorado
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Hear from the Faculty Chair

Learn more about Senior Executives in State and Local Government from Faculty Chair David King, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy.

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Faculty & Research

David King Photo

David King

Appointment
Senior Lecturer in Public Policy

Justin de Benedictis-Kessner Photo

Justin de Benedictis-Kessner

Appointment
Assistant Professor of Public Policy

Ronald Ferguson Photo

Ronald Ferguson

Appointment
Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Kessely Hong Photo

Kessely Hong

Appointment
Senior Lecturer in Public Policy
617-384-8111
Juliette Kayyem Photo

Juliette Kayyem

Appointment
Belfer Senior Lecturer in International Security
617-494-7325
Todd Rogers Photo

Todd Rogers

Appointment
Weatherhead Professor of Public Policy
617-496-3421
Robert Wilkinson Photo

Robert Wilkinson

Appointment
Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Leadership

Julie Boatright Wilson Photo

Julie Boatright Wilson

Appointment
Harry S. Kahn Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, Emeritus

Learn more about Fire Chief Reginald Freeman's experience and takeaways from the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program. 

 

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