The Weldon Cooper Center provides professional development for Virginia elected and appointed officials and other government employees through several programs and unit activities and partnerships. Our programs attract attendees from across the US.

The Cooper Center Leadership and Professional Development programs are:

• Senior Executive Institute (SEI). A two-week residential program for top and local government administrators focusing on leadership, democratic principles, and high-performance organizations
• Leading, Educating and Developing Program (LEAD). A one-week mid-management program complementing the SEI program. It is held throughout the year for department and division heads and senior staff.
• Training and Professional Development Programs of the Virginia Institute of Government. Training programs in the "nuts and bolts" of everyday management for all levels of local government officials.
• Constitutional Officers Training Programs Training programs for professional certification of treasurers, commissioners of the revenue, circuit court clerks and voter registrars and their deputies.
• Thomas C. Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership. Programs include the Political Leaders Program, Candidate Training Program and High School and College Leaders Programs.

• Academy for Civic Renewal programs include
  » LeadershipPlenty Training
  » LIFO ® Training
  » National Issues Forum Training
• Demographics and Workforce delivers presentations and workshops on topics including:
  » Strategic Use of Census and ACS data
  » Profiles and dynamics in local/regional population
  » Matching education to employment opportunity
  » Using geographic information systems in teaching and planning
• University Internship Programs
  » Professional practice internships for U.Va. students in Charlottesville,Virginia, other U.S. cities and abroad.
  » Undergraduate academic courses in leadership and organizational behavior.
  » Coaching, supervising, and mentoring opportunities for members of internship sites.
  » LIFO ® Training - Life Orientations Training