The Community Leadership Academy (CLA) helps emerging and established leaders develop their leadership skills. The academy provides community leaders with a solid foundation in public organizational and financial management. Topics emphasize enhancing personal leadership skills and providing an understanding of current, complex issues affecting communities. The academy unites community leaders, elected officials, economic developers, Chambers of Commerce, business owners and civic-minded residents of West Virginia and nearby states. The Community Leadership Academy was founded the by WVU Extension Service Community Resources and Economic Development (CRED) unit, with the help of Extension partners. CLA Mission - The Community Leadership Academy provides leadership development opportunities focused on the knowledge, collaboration, and connections that empower communities to lead West Virginia into the future. CLA Vision - To be West Virginia’s premiere community leadership development program. CLA Shared Values - Partnerships - Collaboration - Excellence/Quality - Strategic Relationships - Networking - Creativity Goals - Help emerging and established leaders understand, use, and develop their community assets effectively. - Support robust community engagement and further community growth. - Provide local government officials and community leaders with a solid foundation in public organizational and financial management, grounded in current complex issues affecting communities. Learning Tracks - Good Governance: Learn new strategies in Emergency Management, Funding and Community Relations. - Community Economic Strategy: Adopt strategies for successful community economic development. - Leadership: Understand new leadership skills for successful planning, implementation and performance.