Staff Refine Skills Through Continuing Education in 2024
By: Orange County Communications Department
Last year, many Orange County employees worked to refine their professional skills through a variety of academic and career programs. By pursuing degrees, accreditations, and continuing education opportunities, they have worked to ensure they are well - versed in industry best practices and are ready to apply those for the benefit of our residents. We are proud of their dedication and accomplishments!
Glenda (Bradley) Paul, MPA, Deputy County Administrator
Master of Public Administration, Virginia Polytechnical Institute and State University
A culmination of her lifelong career in public service, the degree recognizes high proficiency in overall administration of public sector organizations, such as Orange County. One of Glenda ’ s academic research projects led to the creation of Orange County ’ s internal Office of Real Estate Assessment using a technology - focused approach enabling a lower staffing model than traditional departments.
Stephanie Straub, Assistant County Administrator for Operations
Virginia Women ’ s Municipal Leadership Institute, Virginia Polytechnical Institute and State University The Institute provides women in local government with the connections and tools to further develop their skills, strengthening the pipeline for women to lead communities in Virginia and beyond. The Institute is designed to each tangible and transformational leadership skills to increase self - confidence, knowledge, and ability, provide connection and content to strengthen leadership skills, create an everlasting support network among participants, past and present, and build the pipeline of women leading government in Virginia.
Alisha Vines, Office on Youth Director; Jenny Carpenter, Human Resources Director; Ashley Jacobs, Management Analyst LEAD: Leading, Educating and Developing, University of Virginia, Virginia Institute of Government, Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service Connection is at the heart of who we are as people and leaders, and the landscape of public service is ever changing. Some examples of challenges recognized by LEAD include: local governments are continuously being asked to do more with less, federal and state support is declining, citizens are demanding a more caring
and responsive government, and new technology is revolutionizing communication. To help local leaders respond to this environment, LEAD is a dynamic, weeklong deep dive into the principles and practice of public service with an emphasis on the skills needed for building and maintaining relationships.
Carrie Leistra, Deputy Treasurer
Master Governmental Deputy Treasurer, Treasurer ’ s Association with the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and School of Continuing Professional Studies Local government finance, like many other professions, requires special study, knowledge and skills, and the constituency served deserve a high level of professional competence. This Certification Program sets forth the regulations and standards that recognize such professional attainment.
Page 2 | January 2025
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