A group of graduates from the Florida Certified Public Manager (CPM) program pose with their certificates after the July 21 ceremony at Ruby Diamond concert hall. (FSU Photography Services)
by Dan Vicker, The Florida Center for Public Management

The Florida Certified Public Manager (CPM) program this summer is honoring 335 graduates — about half of them in a ceremony that took place Thursday at Florida State University’s Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.

The CPM program, housed in FSU’s Florida Center for Public Management, is a nationally recognized leadership development program, currently delivered in 38 states. The program aims to develop more effective public managers and improve services to all Florida taxpayers.

Three CPM graduation ceremonies are taking place this summer, and each serves as the culmination of a three-day leadership conference:

• Thursday, July 21, in Tallahassee, at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. There were 162 graduates.
• 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, via Zoom. There will be 88 graduates.
• 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, via Zoom. There will be 85 graduates.

The Florida Center for Public Management of the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University administers the CPM program.

The 335 new graduates have completed a rigorous two-year program, including 31 days of classroom instruction, plus required projects and exams. Over 100 government agencies — including cities, counties, state, and constitutional offices — have participated in the Florida CPM program.

To learn more about the CPM program, visit fcpm.fsu.edu.