SUNY Potsdam's Local Government Microcredential Programs Help Advance Municipal Careers
New York Municipal Empowerment Foundation Funds Scholarships for Eligible Participants to Complete Local Government Microcredentials at SUNY Potsdam
Potsdam, NY (07/16/2026) — As municipalities across New York seek to recruit, retain and develop skilled employees, SUNY Potsdam's new local government microcredential programs are helping current and aspiring public servants build in-demand professional skills -- with scholarship support now available to make participation more accessible.
The first cohort of students recently completed SUNY Potsdam's online microcredential in Local Government: Grant Writing, gaining highly relevant skills that will enhance participants' resumes and help them to advance important municipal projects.
"We see a real opportunity to help our local governments become more resilient and innovative, to serve their workforce needs, now and in the future," said Professor of Politics Dr. Robert Hinckley.
Thanks to a partnership with the New York Municipal Empowerment Foundation, scholarships are available to defray tuition costs for eligible students working to complete microcredentials focused on local government topics through SUNY Potsdam. The New York Association of Towns (NYAOT) is partnering with SUNY Potsdam to help members and non-members earn their accredited, local government-specific microcredentials. SUNY Potsdam's microcredentials count toward the credits needed for NYAOT's Certified Town Official program. Upon successful completion of the course, members can receive eight credits toward their CTO accreditation.
"We deeply value partnerships and programs like this one with SUNY Potsdam that ultimately benefit towns, particularly when it comes to workforce development, an issue that our members have identified as a burgeoning need in many municipalities," said NYAOT Executive Director Chris Koetzle. "We are confident there will be many more success stories, and that towns will attract a new wave of employees to the work force, as well as help existing staff upskill their knowledge and abilities."
As NYAOT's affiliate charitable corporation, the New York Municipal Empowerment Foundation provides financial support to help individuals access microcredential and career training programs, removing cost barriers for current municipal employees and aspiring local government professionals. The scholarships cover up to 75 percent of course costs per applicant, as well as lodging and registration to attend NYAOT's Annual Meeting.
Applications are now being accepted for both the microcredential program and for NYMEF scholarships for the fall semester. To apply for the microcredential programs, visit www.potsdam.edu/mc. For the NYMEF scholarship application, visit www.nymef.com/scholarships.
In addition to the microcredential in public sector grant writing, SUNY Potsdam's programs in Spatial Data Analysis with GIS, and its newest offering, Local Government: Managing Conflict through Communication, are also eligible for the NYMEF scholarship. All of the courses are offered online for maximum compatibility with work schedules.
"My advice for someone who may want to earn a microcredential in grant writing is to stay organized, start assignments early, and focus on learning the grant research and budget process. These skills are just as important as the writing itself. Treat your microcredential as an opportunity to build a portfolio, not just earning a certificate -- save your best grant narratives, budgets, and research assignments to showcase your skills," said Lynn O'Dell, an accounts payable clerk with an NYAOT member town. "As I have gotten older, I have come to realize if there is something you want bad enough in life, you just have to stay focused and do it, even if it means making sacrifices along the way. I just love to challenge myself with new opportunities."
Kylie Allen is a small business owner and an elected trustee for the Village of West Winfield. She began the microcredential program after learning about it at the New York Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM). With the support of her municipality, she began the program in hopes of helping her village win grant funding.
"I have a master's degree in literacy and operate a small-town diner. Having the educational background, I thought to myself, 'How hard can this be?' After speaking with our mayor, she offered to pay for the courses needed. I applied, was accepted, and now here I am," Allen said.
So far, Allen has completed several grant applications, including a successful one to support her community's Music Mondays in the Park program, and is working on a significant application that would fund the purchase of an ambulance and all of the required supportive equipment.
"I have to force myself to make time for grant writing, because it is a time-consuming, detailed, lengthy process. I really enjoy what I do, so it tends to be less work and more a form of accomplishment to me," Allen said. "It is not easy, but it is very rewarding to know that you are doing something good that will benefit many in the community. The possibilities are endless."
To learn more about SUNY Potsdam's microcredentials, visit www.potsdam.edu/mc.
SUNY Potsdam's Department of Politics aims to teach, energize, support and inspire students. SUNY Potsdam students pursue the study of political science to prepare for careers in law, government, foreign service, public policy, social action, teaching, business and more. The department now offers a 100% online option for its baccalaureate program in political science. For more information, visit www.potsdam.edu/politics.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.
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SUNY Potsdam Professor Dr. Robert Hinckley leads a political science classes on campus. The College’s fully online microcredentials for local government are eligible for a new scholarship program through the New York Municipal Empowerment Foundation.
SUNY Potsdam Professor Dr. Robert Hinckley leads a lecture in one of his political science classes in Satterlee Hall. The College’s microcredentials for local government are eligible for a new scholarship program through the New York Municipal Empowerment Foundation.
Lynn O’Dell, a town accounts payable clerk, completed SUNY Potsdam’s microcredential in local government grant writing to expand her skillset.
Small business owner Kylie Allen is an elected trustee for the Village of West Winfield, who is now completing multiple grant applications to assist her community, following her experience in SUNY Potsdam’s local government microcredential program.
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SUNY Potsdam / New York Association of Towns
Alexandra Jacobs Wilke/SUNY Potsdam, (315) 267-2918, news@potsdam.edu & Chris Koetzle/NYAOT, (518) 727-9152, info@nytowns.orgShare this Story
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