‘Come Join Us’ As CCE’s Portfolio Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary

For nearly 20 years, the College of Continuing Education’s [CCE] Portfolio Program has brought together practical leadership tools, peer learning, and real-world application to help participants become more effective leaders within their agencies and communities.

Launched in October of 2006, the three-tiered education and innovation program for government transformation has grown from just one course to three: Leadership for the Government Manager [LGM], Leadership for the Government Supervisor [LGS], and Leadership for the Government Executive [LGE].

“What began in 2006 with Leadership for the Government Executive grew into a suite of leadership programs serving executives, managers, and supervisors across California government,” Dr. Jenni Murphy, Dean for the College of Continuing Education, said of the program. “Twenty years later, thousands of public-sector leaders have learned together, built relationships across agencies, and applied their learning with the organizations and communities they serve.

For those unfamiliar, the programs serve as a comprehensive leadership-development pathway designed specifically for public-sector professionals. 

“It supports leaders at each stage of their careers, helping them lead themselves, lead people, and lead within increasingly complex organizations,” Stella Premo, Lead Project Management Specialist, said. 

Since its inception, the program has evolved to match the demands placed on government leaders. 

“While its commitment to public-service leadership remains constant, the curriculum now places greater emphasis on adaptive and inclusive leadership, emotional intelligence, systems thinking, organizational change, collaboration, and measurable workplace application,” Premo said, adding that after a comprehensive refresh of the programs, all three programs are more aligned than ever, ensuring the curriculum reflects the realities leaders face today. 

Monica Eisel is an instructor with the Portfolio Programs. She’s been involved since 2014, first as an instructor for the LGM, then as a teacher in the LGS and LGE programs. For 12 years, she’s collected a multitude of stories and anecdotes that leave her with a positive feeling about the differences the Portfolio program leaves on its participants. 

“Each person has a unique story of what they got out of Portfolio that made them a better leader, helped them engage their team, and ultimately has had an impact for the State of California,” Eisel said. 

Because of that impact she’s personally seen, Eisel’s advice for anyone considering the program is to just join them because each program is a powerful way to invest in one’s future and leadership development. 

“Through connections with other leaders at your level, learning and applying best practices in leadership, and receiving one-on-one coaching, you will get fresh perspective, practical tools and real-time practice that will help you uplevel your leadership and have a lasting impact for you, the teams you lead, and your organization,” Eisel said.

The 20th anniversary is only the beginning. Premo says their vision is for each program to remain a North Star for government leaders, preparing them not only for the challenges they face today, but for those still emerging. Eisel agrees, adding that she expects the programs to respond to the evolving world of work and government with programs that continue to help government supervisors, managers and executives become the best versions of themselves and meet the needs of the teams that they lead.

“At its heart, the program will continue to develop capable, courageous, and human-centered leaders who are prepared to serve the public with purpose,” Premo said. 

Kathleen Webb, the Chief Deputy Executive Director of Operations with Covered California, was a graduate of the LEG program in 2009. Since then, she’s been an executive sponsor for an LGE cohort, a guest speaker for classes and graduations, and is currently involved with the curriculum refresh of the program. “As we work to refresh the program, the CCE Portfolio Program will stand out as a valued partner for the state in developing government leaders through an applied leadership program, preparing these leaders to inspire and influence those they lead to achieve great results for California,” Webb said.

For more information or to apply to a future cohort, visit the Leadership & Government pages.