The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG or Georgia’s County Association) recently awarded county officials with certificates for completing core requirements in the ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy. Carroll County E-911 Coordinator and Cad Manager Matt Clotfelter was honoredduring the Association’s 2024 Annual Conference in Chatham County.

“Lifelong learning stands as a vital pillar within our association,” said Executive Director Dave Wills. “Through collaboration with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, we offer a diverse array of training and development opportunities, aimed at equipping county officials to navigate the challenges inherent in local government. I commend leaders like Mr. Clotfelter for their unwavering dedication to continuing their education in order to better serve their constituents.”

The Lifelong Learning Academy is a product of the longstanding partnership between ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia (CVIOG). Created with input from county commissioners who identified courses based on the issues and decision-making challenges they faced regularly, it is a unique adult education program that provides county officials with a tailor-made learning experience to assist them with governing at the local level. To ensure the course requirements and curriculum remain relevant and engaging, the ACCG Lifelong Learning Committee – which comprises county commissioners and staff from both ACCG and CVIOG – meet regularly to review the curriculum and adjust accordingly.  The Lifelong Learning Academy has been successful in equipping county officials with the necessary skills to meet the current needs of their constituents thanks to the collaborative approach undertaken by ACCG and CVIOG.

E-911 Coordinator and CAD Manager Matt Clotfelter stated, “The amazing part of learning within the ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy is that your training is coming from the the Carl Vinson Instutite of Government, which is part of the University of Georgia. The instructors you have there ensure that you understand your role in county government, as well as providing you with their real world insight as practitioners in their field of instruction. They cover content in a thorough manner to prepare you for the real world, to better serve our citizens.”