Hunterdon County partners with Thomas Edison State University to offer innovative leadership management training program for public employees
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Hunterdon County on Tuesday recognized 17 employees for their completion of the Thomas Edison State University (TESU) Leadership Academy, a course sponsored by the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners that is designed to enhance professional skills for public employees.
Dr. Malcolm Oliver, Dean of the John S. Watson School of Public Service at TESU, and instructor Dr. Dominic Novelli, along with Hunterdon County Human Resources Director, Catherine Kopec and County Clerk Mary Melfi were in attendance for the graduation ceremony.
Hunterdon County is the first county in the state to implement this advanced leadership program, which was launched in 2022 through a partnership with TESU. The program is currently offered once a year and follows a two-month series of classes.
The course is led by TESU faculty members with a Ph.D. in the field of public administration, and by senior leaders within local government, and is designed to provide leadership training to a select number of county staff on the important skills needed to effectively manage a team, while adding creativity and innovation to the delivery of public service.
Course topics include Essentials for Effective Leadership; Public Budgeting Essentials; Human Resources Essentials; Strategic Decision Making; and Effective Communications.
Each student group is required to submit a culminating report and oral presentation during the term’s final session.
This is the second cohort to graduate from this innovative program and all attendees also earn 3 college level credits at TESU toward future degree programs.
