Leadership & Professional Development

The Weldon Cooper Center provides professional development for Virginia elected and appointed officials and other government employees through several programs and unit activities and partnerships. Our programs attract attendees from across the US.

The Cooper Center Leadership and Professional Development programs are:

Training programs for professional certification of treasurers, commissioners of the revenue, circuit court clerks and voter registrars and their deputies.
  • Senior Executive Institute (SEI) - A two-week residential program for top and local government administrators focusing on leadership, democratic principles, and high-performance organizations.

  • Leading, Educating and Developing Program (LEAD) - A one-week mid-management program complementing the SEI program. It is held throughout the year for department and division heads and senior staff.

Programs include the Political Leaders Program, Candidate Training Program and High School and College Leaders Programs.
  • Professional practice internships for U.Va. students in Charlottesville,Virginia, other U.S. cities and abroad.
  • Undergraduate academic courses in leadership and organizational behavior.
  • Coaching, supervising, and mentoring opportunities for members of internship sites.
  • LIFO ® Training - Life Orientations Training

Training and professional development programs that focus on the "nuts and bolts" of everyday management for all levels of local government officials.