District 3 County Commissioner Alana Sanders recently received her certificate for completing requirements in the Association County Commissioners of Georgia’s (ACCG) Lifelong Learning Academy.

Recipients were presented with their achievement certificates during the recent 2022 ACCG Annual Conference at the Savannah Convention Center. 

Sanders was honored for successfully completing the core requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy.

“It is an honor to serve my community as a county commissioner and I am thankful to be certified, which shows commitment to my position,” Sanders said. 

“I was the first ommissioner in Newton County to complete this certification in less than a year, which exhibited dedication to the seat and to my constituents, whom I refer to as my neighbors. 

"I believe in professional development and staying connected with those who have served in this capacity to receive the shared knowledge that ACCG brings to the table. The art of learning never stops, and officials must attend conventions related to their office to stay updated with legislation on all levels of government,” she said.

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.

“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 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. 

ACCG is a nonprofit agency representing Georgia’s county governments. Formed in 1914 with 19 charter county members, today ACCG serves as the consensus building, training, and legislative organization for all 159 county governments in the state.