The 2019 cohort of the Local Government Management Fellowship (LGMF) will mark the program's 15th year. Since its first class in 2004, the fellowship has placed 298 MPA/MPP graduates into full-time local government positions and paired them with senior government leaders for direct mentorship. Thirty LGMF alumni are currently serving in chief administrative officer or assistant chief administrative officer positions, and even more occupy senior management positions in local governments across the country.

None of this would be possible without host communities. LGMF hosts have created unprecedented opportunities for local government management hopefuls for 15 years, ensuring the future of the profession remains bright. 

Hosting a fellow brings countless opportunities to your community and the profession. Here are just a few:

1. Bring in highly skilled individuals

Fellows' specialized education and fresh perspective allow them to assume real responsibility and gain unique exposure to local government, while helping find solutions to persisting community issues. Additionally, the “Excitement that they bring to the work is infectious,” according to Tansy Hayward, assistant city manager, Raleigh, North Carolina.   

2. Shorten the hiring process

All LGMF finalists are thoroughly prescreened by local government experts and practicing professionals, who review candidates' recommendation letters, college transcripts, personal statements, and case study submissions. Hosts have access to a concentrated talent pool from the very beginning of the hiring process.

3. Share fellows with other communities

Host communities can choose to share fellows with other communities to mitigate costs or supplement lighter workloads. Sharing a fellow allows managers to build capacity in the profession without having to go through the process of creating a full-time position and creates personal links between communities. 

4. Invest in the future

Local governments need skilled and dedicated professionals to be prepared to take the helms of our cities, counties, and towns. Susan Sherman, assistant city manager, Olathe, Kansas, has hosted several fellows. She believes that participating in the LGMF is an active way to ensure that “The city management profession continues to attract the best and the brightest. The inspiration, wisdom, and real-world experiences that participants gain from the program serve them well throughout their local government careers.”

5. Shape recent graduates and provide valuable mentoring opportunities

Breaking into the local government profession can be difficult for individuals with little to no experience in the field. Hosting a fellow can help ensure that local government doesn't lose valuable talent to other industries. Mentors not only help fellows navigate project work, but also personal challenges, and a future with or beyond the host community. 

6. Connect fellows with professional development opportunities at no cost to your community

By hiring a fellow through the LGMF, you connect them with unapparelled career development and networking opportunities. Fellows receive a complimentary two-year ICMA membership, as well as complimentary registration to ICMA Regional Conferences and the ICMA Annual Conference. They also receive complimentary access to ICMA's Applied Knowledge Assessment and subscription to PM magazine.

Host a Fellow

The 2019 LGMF application is now open for fellows! ICMA is currently seeking communities to help support the LGMF in its mission to promote excellence in local government management. Visit the Host a Fellow page for more information about the program and its benefits and apply today to secure a spot as one of next year's hosts. 

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