Ware County Commissioner Leonard Burse, Jr. earned a Specialty Track Certification through the Association County Commissioners of Georgia’s Lifelong Learning Academy, building on the core certif ication he completed in
2024.
Commissioner Burse was presented the certificate during the Monday, October 12 County Commission Work Session. The framed document, issued jointly by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government and ACCG, recognizes completion of the specialty track requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy and is dated October 5, 2026.
The Specialty Track Certification represents an advanced level of professional development for Georgia county officials. After finishing the Lifelong Learning Academy’s core curriculum — approximately 66 hours of required courses which confer the title of Certified County Commissioner — participants may pursue specialty tracks.
These involve roughly 48 additional hours of more focused coursework in areas such as economic and community development, intergovernmental relations, revenue and finance, leadership development, public safety, citizen engagement, county operations and management, or quality of life and social issues. The specialty tracks are designed to allow commissioners to deepen their expertise on issues they regularly face.
Burse
ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government have partnered for more than two decades to deliver the Lifelong Learning Academy. The program was developed with input from sitting county commissioners so that the curriculum remains practical and relevant to the decision-making challenges of local government.
Officials who complete the core certification are eligible for a monthly stipend from their county.
Specialty certifications further equip them with specialized knowledge.
ACCG Executive Director Dave Wills has consistently emphasized the value of the academy, noting that county leaders who prioritize further education are better prepared to address the challenges facing their communities and serve as assets to the residents they represent.
With both the core and a specialty track now completed, Commissioner Burse joins a growing number of Georgia county officials who have pursued advanced training through the Lifelong Learning Academy.
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