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Leadership Development and Professional Certification
for Government IT Executives
Certified Government CIO program
Coming Soon! Applications for the 2013-2014 CGCIO™ Program will be available beginning in June.
Background
Pennsylvania state government spends in excess of $1B annually on information technology (IT). County and local governments collectively make similar investments each year. All governments are challenged by decreasing budgets and increasing demands for service. If properly planned and implemented, technology can produce significant benefits through these challenging times.
The role of the IT executive within government is quickly changing and expanding. Just knowing how technology works is no longer sufficient for those responsible for leading IT organizations. Public sector IT executives are expected to have a comprehensive knowledge of areas such as communications, finance, human resources, policy making, management practices and how to effectively connect the technology to the business needs. These expectations combine with the reality that technology continues to evolve rapidly, therefore, requiring a strategic lens. The job of public service IT leader has never been tougher and never more important to the success of government!
Other than 'life-experience' there are few opportunities for public sector IT leaders to develop executive knowledge and perspectives, learn how to provide meaningful advice to government officials and learn how to earn a seat at the decision-making table! The Certified Government CIO (CGCIO) program at Harrisburg University has these issues as its core goals.
In its second year, this new certification program specifically addresses the unique challenges of public sector IT executive leadership. By joining forces with the national Consortium for State and Local Government Technology Leadership Development, the Government Technology Institute (GTI) at Harrisburg University offers the Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO™) program annually. The program will enable current and aspiring information technology executives working at a senior level in public service to earn a recognized credential, and develop the skills and knowledge to manage the demands of their complex role. To ensure relevance in its application, most of the instructors for the CGCIO™ will be successful IT executives from public and private sector organizations.
Achieving the CGCIO™credential will publicly recognize your attainment of the needed skills to lead successful IT organizations in government.
Affiliations: Established in 2008, the consortium currently includes the University of North Carolina School of Government Center for Public Technology, the Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University, and the Public Technology Institute in partnership with Rutgers University. National standards, a professional certification and a core curriculum have been established. The designation of Certified Government Chief Information Officer™ (CGCIO) is awarded for successful completion of the program. Over 600 public-sector IT leaders have participated in CGCIO program since 2005. In North Carolina, state officials have adopted the program as their IT leadership development program, and leverage it for long term organizational succession planning. The program has been praised by participants and follow-up testimonials support the program's ability to develop individuals' strategic, fiscal and communications leadership skills. Cost savings and increased program performance are among the benefits participants attribute to their participation.
Snapshot of the Program
- Emphasis is on leadership, strategy and management, not necessarily on technology
- Sessions are taught by subject matter experts under the leadership of the program coordinator
- Classes are in-person, at Harrisburg University, two days per month from October to July
- Peer-learning within a diverse cohort of IT executives provides a valuable method of gaining new perspectives and lessons learned
- Participation in the cohort is based on a nomination and selection process
Benefits of the CGCIO™ Program
- Designates IT professionals with a nationally recognized credential representing standards and core competencies which are essential qualifications for the role of government CIO.
- Enhances skills and knowledge required by technology professionals to lead at the executive level, by improving abilities in communications, strategy, management and human relations.
- Provides senior level IT professionals with a venue for peer learning, peer support, trouble-shooting and brainstorming common issues in public service information technology and establishes a peer network for continued support after the program concludes.
- Allows participants to demonstrate mastery of public service IT executive leadership through completion of an applied strategic project. The project is a venue for experiential learning, as well as a tangible benefit to the department/organization in which it is provided.
- Promotes lifelong learning and the means to stay up to date on emerging approaches to management, technology planning and digital government.
Overview of the Program Curriculum
The following framework illustrates the key building blocks of the certified government CIO program.
- Core IT service functions, such as business processes, applications, and computing-communication platforms represent the basic building blocks of modern enterprises and are shown below as horizontal organizational layers.
- Interdisciplinary, cross-cutting management practices and governance activities such as communications, planning, management, and security enable and support the horizontal layers (IT service functions) and are emphasized as core curriculum in the CGCIO program.
The curriculum addresses this framework by using examples, case studies, and best practices. The opening module ("Governments in the Digital Age") sets the context by introducing the program and providing an overview of the entire framework using examples of eGovernment initiatives from around the globe. Subsequent modules address the horizontal layers (IT service functions) as well as vertical layers (management disciplines) systematically. The curriculum aims to present technical concepts in a new light, but will emphasize the interrelationship between business, management and leadership skills that transcend technical functions and are vital for successful executives.
Format: In-person sessions, two days per month are led by the program facilitator who maintains topical continuity and builds community within the cohort. Session topics are taught by subject matter experts who use presentations, industry resources, case studies and guest lecturers to present concepts and practical exercises. Peer-learning is emphasized as a valuable method of gaining perspective and lessons learned from others within the cohort. Additionally, independent readings, the applied project and online discussions also support varied instructional approaches for all kinds of learners.
Pass-fail assessment, which is based on attendance, class contributions and the final project, increases participant accountability and learning outcomes. A recertification requirement of 60 CEU credits or 20 hours of a range of appropriate continuing education activities is self-reported annually and promote life-long learning.
Class Schedule (2012-2013):
Classes run from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at 326 Market Street, Harrisburg.
- October 18-19
- November 15-16
- December 13-14
- January 17-18
- February 21-22
- March 14-15
- April 18-19
- May 16-17
- June 13-14
- July 18-19
Qualifications:
Candidates should possess the following criteria to be accepted into the program: (1) applicants work for the public sector in state, county or local government (2) they must have a minimum of 6 years in technology, and a minimum of 4 years direct responsibility for supervising employees within an information technology department; (3) candidates currently have, or are in a position to earn, a senior-level management responsibility. Candidates are anticipated to be chief information officers, deputies or senior directors.Cohort: The class size will be limited to twenty five (25) individuals coming from public sector IT at the state, county or local government levels. Candidates will be admitted based on their qualifications, past professional experience and the knowledge, perspectives and expertise they will bring to the cohort. A cohort is designed to provide additional benefit to participants by creating a diverse micro-community of peers with shared experiences and goals, who can advantage one and other through peer learning.
Expectations of Participants: : Participants will be expected to complete reading and written work prior to sessions. Compulsory out-of class assignments and readings will be provided through a digital course management system. A capstone project, applying the program's core curriculum to a real-world challenge in the workplace, will be produced and presented by participants. The capstone project may be a strategic plan, business plan or other deliverable yielding tangible benefits to the government technology community. Attendance at a minimum of 90% of the sessions is required.
Make-up work may be required for missed sessions. Awarding of the certification credential will be based on a pass-fail assessment of the program's curricular and project-based requirements.
Application Process: Candidates will demonstrate the support of their senior leadership by submitting a letter of nomination written on their behalf. The application form allows candidates to present their learning goals, past experiences, expertise, and knowledge they will bring to the cohort for consideration. Candidates will be notified in a timely manner as to their acceptance into the CGCIO cohort.
Apply online at www.HarrisburgU.edu/GTI/CGCIO/Apply.
Registration cost is $1995. Payment is due after being admitted to the program.
For More Information contact Professional Education office at Harrisburg University at 717.901.5190 or ProfessionalEd@HarrisburgU.edu.