The Institute of Government welcomed 14 inaugural students into its Public Management and Leadership Certificate Program during an orientation meeting Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Jackson State University Downtown Campus, 101 Capital St.
The three-month intensive program aims to equip professionals through development training in core subjects such as state and local government finance and budgeting; human resource management; and policy development, accountability and evaluation.
Dr. Otha Burton, a JSU associate professor and executive director of IOG, said the program is designed for those in middle management, lower-level administrative positions or individuals who aspire to move into leadership positions.
“It’s important to get those in the middle of organizations to be in sync with what the leadership is trying to do. If the middle doesn’t have an understanding, you lose effectiveness.”
‘They do a lot of the work’
Of those who work in the middle, Burton said, “They do a lot of the work, and they’re the ones who have the greatest influence on those who come into the organization.” Burton compared their influence to that of a sergeant or officers in the military who, he said, have a major impact on corporals.
“If that middle manager is lackadaisical or bad-mouthing the organization, then guess what that new employee is going to be? You’re creating an attitude and a behavior.”
In addition, said Burton, “We want to provide resources to those in the public sector and in middle management. Those who complete this by getting the 45 contact hours of development will be better in the jobs they’re doing.”
Public officials make up faculty
IOG has recruited notable individuals as faculty members for the public management and leadership certificate program. Dr. William “Marty” Wiseman, retired director of the Stennis Institute, will serve as IOG’s PML director. Faculty members are Eddie Jean Carr, chancery clerk for Hinds County; former Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr.; Marilyn Hetrick, a human resource consultant; Sharolyn Miller, chief financial officer for Jackson Public Schools; Dr. Gwendolyn Spencer Prater; dean emeritus of JSU’s College of Public Service; Will Simpson, policy adviser and counsel for the Office of the Governor; and Terry Wallace, assistant district attorney for the 22nd Circuit Court District.
Moreover, other areas of study will include government structure, function and operation; ethics and legal frameworks of public service organizations; conflict resolution; effective supervision and leadership and general public management issues.
Andrea Jones Davis, executive director of JSUOnline is among the enrollees. She said, “This program is very important to me because it builds on the content knowledge of leadership, management and connects me with people who have been where I’m trying to go. I will be able to learn from public officials and how I can better assist them in my current position.”
Slate of inaugural students
Among cohorts are Roderick O. Bailey (Mississippi Department of Transportation); Tangela Beddingfield (Mississippi Department of Transportation); Lure Berry (Hinds County); Lavonne Berryhill (Hinds County Emergency Management); Jason H. Brookins (JSU Center for University-Based Development); Andrea Jones Davis (JSUOnline); Sherree T. Hooker (JSU) and Lemia Jenkins (JSU).
Rounding out the list are Adison T. Jones (City of Brandon); Brandy W. Martin (Hinds County Emergency Management); Joseph L. Perkins Jr. (Hinds County Emergency Management); Susan K. Perkins (Mississippi Emergency Management Agency); Ayanna O. Smith (JSU); and Farae L. Wolfe (City of Cleveland).