Leadership Development

For Public Agencies

Background: The Pilot Program

Leadership Development

The Orange County Public Employee Consortium was formed in January 2007 to tackle the critical need to develop talent from within public agencies. Eight Orange County cities volunteered to pilot this program (Brea, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Santa Ana and Tustin).

The program has the following shared benefits:

  • Maximize training opportunities regardless of city/agency size
  • Forum to share "best practices" and common challenges
  • Networking opportunities for participants
  • Address public sector core competencies and serve as positive career reinforcement of public services
  • Participants receive a Certificate awarded by CSU Fullerton, University Extension

Leadership Development Program Today

The Orange County Public Employee Consortium has launched a total of twenty-seven (27) successful cohorts since 2007. To date, over 600 public sector employees from over 30 public agencies in OC and beyond have completed the certificate program.

The feedback from participants and HR managers confirmed the program’s value in enhancing the classroom experience and broadening participants' understanding of public services.

Among the graduates are HR Managers, Fire Chiefs, Police Lieutenants, and other supervisors and managers. This program also proves to be equally empowering to emerging leaders, project leaders who do not manage, and those who aspire to lead. Read more about the program: Strengthening the Public Sector, as featured in the University publication, Titan Magazine.