Registration and online course content is now available for the 2024 New Commissioner School

Eric Walcott<walcott3@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

New Commissioner School prepares new and veteran county leaders for their role in county government.

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New Commissioner School (NCS) started in 1968 and has been conducted every two years in partnership between Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC). While the primary focus has been on newly elected county commissioners, the program has been a popular refresher for experienced commissioners, administrators, and other elected county officials. The 2024 NCS will again prepare new and veteran commissioners and county officials for their role in county government.

Participants in the New Commissioner School will:

  • Explore the complexity of governance in today’s world.
  • Learn more about their roles and responsibilities.
  • Gain understanding of county finance.
  • Learn questions to ask when making decisions on policy issues.
  • Discuss strategies for working effectively across political divides.
  • Network with other commissioners.

Past participants have praised NCS for its comprehensive overview of their new role and for the opportunity it provides to network with other county commissioners.

The 2024 program includes online content and a one-day, in-person workshop. The online content will be available through either self-paced online learning modules or through four live webinars that will take place in November.

Learn More & Register for NCS 2024

In-person workshops will include interactive discussions, presentations, and roundtables on key policy issues relevant to Michigan communities.

Key dates for the 2024 online portion of the program include:

  • September 17: Registration and online course access opens
  • November 14: Introductory Zoom for all participants
    • 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
  • November 18, 20, 22, 25: Live webinars for online content
    • 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • December 2, 3, 9, or 10: In-person workshops

Participants should plan to complete either the self-paced content or the live webinars and then attend one of the in-person workshops in order to receive their certificate of completion from MSU Extension and County Commissioner Academy credits from MAC. 

Registration and program details are available at events.anr.msu.edu/ncs. Please email MSU Extension Specialist Eric Walcott at walcott3@msu.edu with questions.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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