The Institute is advised by a committee of eighteen, appointed by the President of the University of Virginia. The committee comprises six members from local government, eight members at large, and four representatives of higher education.
The at-large members are appointed with the advice of the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the Chairman of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee. The local government representatives are nominated by the Virginia Municipal League, Virginia Association of Counties, Virginia Local Government Management Association, Virginia Association of Locally Elected Constitutional Officers, and Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Inc.

Members serve two-year terms. The Director of the Cooper Center serves on the committee ex officio.

Higher Education
Elsie M. Barnes, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Norfolk State University
James K. Conant, Professor Department of Public and International Affairs, George Mason University
Anne Moore, Associate Vice President, Learning Technologies, and Director, Information Technology Initiatives, Virginia Tech
Paul Trible, President, Christopher Newport University

At-large
John H. Chichester, Member, Virginia Senate
Patrick O. Gottschalk, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Commonwealth of Virginia
Meyera E. Oberndorf, Mayor, City of Virginia Beach
Patricia S. Ticer, Member, Virginia Senate
William C. Wampler, Member, Virginia Senate