ACCG, Georgia’s County Association, recently awarded county officials with certificates for completing requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy. Recipients were recognized for their achievements in a special announcement sent to the ACCG membership.

Dougherty County Commissioner Russell Gray was honored for successfully completing the core requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy.

ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia have collaborated for more than two decades to provide county officials with supplemental training and educational tools in the Lifelong Learning Academy. With abundant courses to choose from, every county official has a tailor-made learning experience that allows them to excel in specific areas of expertise.

“County officials are faced with many challenges and ever-evolving circumstances under which they must govern Georgia’s local communities,” said Dave Wills, ACCG’s Executive Director. “The Lifelong
Learning Academy was created to help them navigate those challenges. I commend county leaders
such as Russell Gray who take full advantage of educational opportunities to further their knowledge
on how to better serve their communities.”

The Lifelong Learning Academy was created with input from county commissioners who identified courses based on the issues and decision-making challenges regularly faced by county officials. To ensure the course requirements and curriculum remain relevant and engaging, the ACCG Lifelong
Learning Committee – comprised of county commissioners and staff from both ACCG and the Carl
Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia – meet regularly to review and adjust accordingly.

Through this collaborative approach, the Lifelong Learning Academy has been successful in equipping county officials with the necessary skills to meet the needs of their constituents.

“I commend Commissioner Gray for being a part of ACCG’s Lifelong Learning Academy in order to provide greater service to our citizens in Dougherty County,” said Christopher S. Cohilas, Chairman of the Dougherty County Board of Commissioners. “We are faced with many challenges in our region and I am proud of the work that