Programs

The Center for Politics grants Awards for Civic Excellence (ACE) to University of Virginia undergraduate students and educators registered with the Youth Leadership Initiative. ACE grants for students enable undergraduates to gain practical experience in politics and government through summer internships. Student internship placements could include participation in civic-related community outreach, work on political campaigns, voter registration efforts and positions in the offices of elected or appointed officials.

The Virginia Institute of Government and the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service provide expertise and staff support to communities and planning districts that seek to address regional and local planning issues.

EBIS allows local government officials and staff members to share information quickly and with ease through a subscription e-mail service.

The Center for Executive Development creates and delivers custom-designed executive leadership and training programs for businesses and nonprofit organizations, including federal, state and local governments, schools, associations and institutions.

Initiative reCOVER focuses on the research, design development, and fabrication of transitional disaster relief shelters.

Affiliated with the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning, the Institute for Environmental Negotiation (IEN) seeks to advance the principles and practices of mediation and consensus-building by offering research and public services to governments, citizen organizations, and businesses that deal with complex policy choices and conflicts about land use and the natural and built environments.

Leading, Educating and Developing (LEAD) is a one-week, intensive training program for public leaders and executives. Preference is given to department heads, division heads, and senior staff in local government organizations.

The fourth edition of the Local Government Officials' Guide to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (2007) gives public officials the knowledge they need to ensure that public business is carried out with public access to the fullest extent permissible under the law.

The University of Virginia's Miller Center of Public Affairs hosts more than 60 speakers each year through the Miller Center Forum. Guest speakers present on a variety of topics related to current affairs, government, and public policy issues.

The Office of Economic Development serves our faculty, students, alumni, and corporate and community partners by fostering connections to the programs, services and networks that support innovation and economic growth, both within and outside the University.