About the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Managers^® (ASCPM)

The Arkansas Society of Certified Public Managers^® is a professional association of public sector managers in Arkansas who have successfully completed an extensive two-year program of classroom training, presentations, study, and research; demonstrated their management abilities through completion of comprehensive individual or team projects; and passed a comprehensive examination.

The society is part of the American Academy of Certified Public Managers^® (AACPM), a national organization promoting professionalism in public sector management. ASCPM provides its members a forum to promote the advancement of professional public managers throughout Arkansas. The Society encourages public managers to continue their training and education by promoting and sponsoring educational opportunities for its members. ASCPM members are setting a precedence of excellence in government.

ASCPM grows through the support of the Arkansas Public Administration Consortium (APAC) and its Certified Public Manager^® program (click text for additional CPM program information), an ongoing collaborative effort of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, to provide leading-edge curriculum for public managers and help them reach their highest potential. The program is a nationally-accredited training and development program for public sector managers and supervisors. The governing body, the National Certified Public Manager^® Consortium is composed of representatives from other member states, and the Arkansas program is reviewed for reaccredidation every five years. Courses include diverse topics relevant to public management taught by college professors or senior public service administrators.

ASCPM members collaborate to provide resources to increase the knowledge, skills, and professionalism of today’s public manager. A broad and incisive view of public agencies enables the Society to advocate policies aimed at improving the delivery of government services. The Society’s concern over issues important to government employees generates productive communication with Executive, Legislative, Agency Directors, and other leaders in government.

ASCPM meets quarterly; and Board Members dedicate time in planning and promoting business luncheons, training seminars, professional development sessions, and annual conferences. Members also receive notices of other events, training and development opportunities at meetings and in newsletters.