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ACMA has developed the following scholarships to ensure that members have the opportunity to challenge themselves and grow in the profession.  . The ACMA Board and membership is also very active in recruiting students in the field of local government management. This commitment is reflected in some of the scholarships ACMA offers.

Jane L. Morris Women Leading Government Scholarship

 

The Jane L. Morris Women Leading Government Scholarship recognizes women in local government in honor of Jane L. Morris, former Executive Director/CEO of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Jane L. Morris was an accomplished and influential public servant. Raised in Glencoe, IL, Jane attended the University of Iowa and received her master’s degree in public administration from Arizona State University. Jane was a retired public servant with a long career spanning more than three decades that started in Skokie, IL, encompassed a variety of positions during her 25+ year with the City of Phoenix and concluded as the Executive Director/CEO of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. At the request of Jane’s family, donations were received from individuals and organizations around the nation who knew Jane to promote the Women Leading Government Chapter in Arizona. The donations received on Jane’s behalf will allow for other women in the profession to further their career in local government.

AWARD AMOUNT
This scholarship includes registration to the ACMA 2026 Winter Conference, a two-night stay at the resort, a $100 stipend for incidentals (i.e. gas, meals, etc.) and a one-year complimentary ACMA membership.EVALUATION CRITERIA1. Minimum of three years of public sector experience2. Female ACMA or Non-ACMA Member3. Potential for future public service (not about to retire or shift to private sector)4. Financial need5. Size of organization6. Scope of job responsibilities7. Educational background8. Two letters of recommendation from a supervisor or manager9. Strength of application (cover letter, supporting materials)

APPLICATIONApplicants must submit the following documents for consideration ACMA: • Completed application form• Letter of interest (Please include the evaluation criteria areas here.)• Two letters of recommendation

CONFERENCE DETAILS ACMA 2026 Winter Conference Sedona, Arizona

Marvin A. Andrews Scholarship/Internship

 

The Andrews Scholarship was initiated in 1990 in honor of the dedicated years of service by Marvin Andrews, former City Manager of Phoenix, to local government in Arizona. The Andrews Scholarship is sponsored by ACMA and is designed to honor and financially assist Arizona students in public administration, public policy or undergrad students working toward their Masters of Public Administration degree who aspire to a career in local government management. A scholarship is awarded to a full-time student attending either Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona or Grand Canyon University who has exhibited strong academic achievement.

In addition to the monetary award, the Andrews Scholarship recipient will be given the opportunity for a paid internship stipend of $6,000 with a participating Arizona city, town, or county. The purpose of the internship is to provide the scholarship recipient with professional experience and training in an Arizona city or town with a population of less than 50,000 or a county with a population of less than 200,000. This paid summer internship is provided through ACMA Scholarship funds and matching funds from the city, town, or county providing the internship. Details for host applicants can be found here. The Andrews Scholarship recipient will also be awarded a complimentary year of ACMA Student Membership.

Scholarship Criteria

Who may apply?

Masters of Public Administration and Masters of Public Policy Students as well as undergraduates in political science, planning, sustainability programs and the universities’ honors colleges at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona, and Grand Canyon University are eligible to apply for the ACMA scholarships. Master students must be enrolled in a graduate program or have completed their first semester. Undergraduate students must have completed at least 72 hours by December. Those completing the fall semester in time to graduate are also eligible.

Students not selected as the recipient will have the opportunity to interview with hosts that are not selected by the scholarship recipient. If this opportunity is available, students that applied and interviewed for the internship will be notified in March.

How are the scholarships to be used?

The scholarships are intended to assist promising undergraduate/graduate students or recent graduates with funding to continue their studies or job search.

What qualities does an ACMA Scholarship recipient possess?

ACMA scholarship recipients demonstrate a strong commitment to pursuing a career in public administration at the local level in Arizona, a willingness to accept the challenges of a vigorous academic program, and a desire to succeed in their professional and/or personal endeavors.

Internship 

The selected Andrews Scholarship recipient will have the opportunity to interview prospective cities, towns and counties that have submitted an application to host the Andrews intern. The recipient must be able to accept a paid summer internship in the year awarded. Depending on the location, the recipient must be able to travel.

Internship/Scholarship Award Information:

$2,000 Scholarship
$6,000 Internship
$1,000 stipend toward registration & travel to ICMA Conference

Award also includes:

Temporary, Full-Time Summer Internship with host city/town/county
Registration & lodging to ACMA Winter Conference

Opportunity to attend ICMA with $1,000 stipend

Application Details and Deadline:

Application link and details for the Andrews Scholarship will be posted when available.

Charles A. Esser Memorial Scholarship

 

The Esser Scholarship program was initiated in 1973 in honor and memory of Charles A. Esser, former City Manager of Phoenix. Sponsored by the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA), the scholarship is designed to honor and financially assist Arizona graduate students in public administration who aspire to a career in local government management.

The scholarship is awarded annually to an MPA student attending Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University, or the University of Arizona who is currently working or aspiring to work in local government and who has exhibited strong academic achievement.

Who may apply?

  1. Attending Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University, or the University of Arizona
  2. Minimum GPA of 3.0 in previous college coursework
  3. Financial need as indicated in the essay
  4. MPA student currently working in or aspiring to work in local government.
  5. Strong academic achievement.

Scholarship Award Information:

$2,000 Scholarship

Award also includes:

Registration & lodging to ACMA Winter Conference the year awarded.

Application Details and Deadline:

Application link and details for the Esser Scholarship will be posted when available.

For any questions, please contact acma@azleague.org.

The Harvard Senior Executive Scholarship

 

ACMA will again offer two full scholarships to the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Only Full and Associate ACMA Members are eligible to apply.

This intensive, interactive program is designed to help participants learn innovative ways of managing the real-world challenges and crises of government. Participants will develop new conceptual frameworks to address policy issues, explore the interrelationship between citizens and government, examine the ethical and professional responsibilities of leadership, and exchange ideas with faculty and participants from diverse backgrounds.

There are two program sessions available (June 02 – June 20, and July 07 – July 25, 2025) and selected recipients can choose either program dates. All scholarships offered to ACMA full and associate members will cover the full costs of the program (fees, tuition, housing, curricular materials, and most meals).

In order to be considered for the two scholarships offered to ACMA members, please return your completed application to ACMA at ACMA@azleague.org.

Applications must be received by ACMA on or before Monday, March 3, 2025 (Please disregard the April deadline on the Harvard website if you are applying for the ACMA scholarship). DO NOT send your application directly to Harvard, or it will not be considered for scholarship funds. 

Applications will be reviewed by the ACMA selection committee and selected applications will be forwarded to Harvard University. Applicants will be notified in late April if their applications have been forwarded to Harvard as ACMA scholarship candidates.

To access applications and recommendation forms directly, please click on the following links. 

Click here for a program overview

Click here to view a brochure about the Harvard Scholarship 

Click here to download a program application form

Click here to download a program recommendation form


DO NOT send your application directly to Harvard, or it will not be considered for scholarship funds.

Applications will be reviewed by the ACMA Selection Committee and selec ted applications will be forwarded to Harvard University.

Applicants will be notified in late April if their applications have been forwarded to Harvard as ACMA scholarship candidates.

Contact ACMA at acma@azleague.org.

 

ACMA Harvard Program Graduates:

2024
David Malewitz, City Manager, City of Eloy
Joshua H. Wright, City Manager, City of Chandler

2023
Benjamin Bitter, Deputy County Manager/ Chief Product Officer, City of Maricopa
Jenna Goad, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Goodyear

2022
Ryan Judy, Deputy County Manager, Town of Prescott Valley
Leah Rhineheimer, Assistant Town Manager, Town of Gilbert
Brent Stockwell, Assistant City Manager, City of Scottsdale

2019
Marie Peoples, Deputy County Manager, Coconino County
Brent Stoddard, Deputy City Manager, City of Glendale

2018
Matt Busby, Assistant City Manager, City of Apache Junction
Natalie Lewis, Deputy City Manager, City of Mesa

2017
Gina Montes, Assistant City Manager, City of Avondale
Bryan Layton, Assistant County Manager, Navajo County

2016
Justin Clifton, City Manager, City of Sedona
Jeff Tyne, Deputy City Manager, City of Peoria

2015
Wynette Reed, Deputy City Manager, City of Goodyear
Mike Townsend, Deputy County Manager, Coconino County

2014
John Kross, Town Manager, Town of Queen Creek
Robert Pickels, County Administrator, Yuma County

2013
Charlie Cassens, City Manager, City of Lake Havasu City
Karolyn Kent, Deputy City Manager, City of Mesa

2012
Andrew Bertelsen, Assistant County Manager, Coconino County
Dana Hlavac, Former Deputy County Manager, Mohave County
Susan Thorpe, Former Deputy City Manager, City of Peoria

2011
Julie Ayers, County Administrator, Yavapai County
Jim Thompson, City Manager, City of Casa Grande
Jerene Watson, Deputy City Manager, City of Flagstaff

2010
Shane Dille, City Manager, City of Nogales
Mary Jacobs, Assistant City Manager, City of Sierra Vista

2009
Gilbert Davidson, Town Manager, Town of Marana
Kelly Udall, Town Manager, Town of Sahuarita

2008
Patrice Kraus, Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator, City of Chandler 
James Jayne, County Manager, Navajo County

2007
Charles McClendon, City Manager, City of Avondale 
Steven Peru, County Manager, Coconino County 
Tami Ryall, Assistant Town Manager, Town of Gilbert

2006
Gayle Mabery, Town Manager, Clarkdale

2005
Terry Doolittle, Deputy County Manager, Pinal County 
George Hoffman, City Manager, Apache Junction 

2004
Jeri Dustir, Deputy City Manager, Flagstaff 
George Pettit, Town Manager, Gilbert
Kelly Udall, Town Manager, Town of Sahuarita

2003
Carol Johnson, Utilities Manager, Prescott 
Michael Ortega, City Manager, Douglas

2002
Stephen Cleveland, City Manager, Goodyear 
Dennis Wells, City Manager, Williams

2001
Mike Hein, Town Manager, Marana 
C. Mary Okoye, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Tucson

2000
Ken Buchanan, City Manager, Casa Grande

1999
Cynthia Seelhammer, Town Manager, Queen Creek

1998
Patrick Sherman, City Manager, Show Low

1997
David Ellison, Assistant City Manager, Scottsdale

ICMA Conference Scholarship

 

ACMA and ICMA have partnered to offer one scholarship to the 111th Annual ICMA Conference on October 25-29, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.

The scholarship recipient will receive a complimentary conference registration from ICMA, and ACMA will reimburse the recipient’s travel expenses up to $1,000.

To qualify for the scholarship, you must be a member of ACMA and be a first-time attendee of the ICMA Conference. All ACMA members are encouraged to apply for the scholarship. If you are not a member of ICMA, this is a unique opportunity to attend the conference and join ICMA at a substantially discounted rate. The scholarship recipient will be eligible to receive a 50% discount on his or her first year of ICMA membership dues and ACMA will provide up to $200 to cover the cost of these dues.

To apply for the scholarship please send a letter indicating why you are interested in attending the conference and what you hope to learn and/or accomplish as a result of attending the conference. In addition, please describe your financial need and provide information about your involvement in ACMA activities. The letter and resume should be sent to the ACMA Board of Directors at acma@azleague.org.

More information will be posted when available.

ACMA Corporate Partners

ACMA
1820 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-258-5786
Fax: 602-253-3874
acma@azleague.org
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