Grosse Pointe Metropolis – Earlier than the summer season is over, the mayor of Grosse Pointe Sheila Tomkowiak will have the ability to say that she was going to Harvard.
Along with Bloomfield Township treasurer Michael Schastak, Tomkowiak was chosen by the Southeast Michigan Council of Regerements as a Taubman Fellow for Govt Excellence, which is meant to find out how they’ll develop into higher leaders and sort out issues with which they’re confronted. The Fellowship signifies that Tomkowiak and Schaostak attend the summer season program of Harvard Kennedy Faculty, senior executives within the state and the native authorities.
“One of many issues that attracted me to this program is that they educate you how you can lead and how you can obtain change in an space the place you might not have an authority,” stated Tomkowiak.
By working collectively and collaborating with different companies, akin to different governmentalities, officers akin to Tomkowiak can sort out issues that require a regional strategy, such because the ageing sanitary sewer system that generally results in cellarback -ups and floods throughout heavy rain -events – one thing that’s the Grosse Pointskantes of its all -sterns and the Japanese aspect of its all -sterns and the Japanese aspect of its all -sterns and the Japanese aspect of its all -sterns and the jap aspect of its personal and the Grosse Pointskantes, his Pointskantes and the Grosse Pointskantes and the Japanese aspect of the Japanese and the Japanese aspect aspect of the Japanese aspect aspect. Too acquainted.
“Taubman has faithfully supported the regional management by sending dozens of worthy native leaders to attend the Kennedy program at Harvard,” Semcog government director Amy O’Leary stated in a press launch. “Taubman scientists get invaluable classes and relationships that they convey to the advantage of Southeast Michigan. We’re actually grateful for the dedication of the corporate to regional excellence.”
Tomkowiak left for Massachusetts on 1 June. The senior executives within the state and native authorities program run from 2 to twenty June.
Earlier than Tomkowiak left Michigan, she already learn experiences and different paperwork despatched by program organizers through Canvas.
“The programs have already began,” stated Tomkowiak.
Tomkowiak is happy to have this chance. She stated she just lately heard a presentation from the mayor of Fraser, Michael Lesich, who attended final yr and stated that this was among the finest experiences of his life. He stated he utilized 4 occasions earlier than he was chosen. Tomkowiak was chosen after making use of for it 3 times.
“It is a aggressive course of,” stated Tomkowiak.
Potential members should first submit an software to the Harvard Kennedy Faculty, of which Tomkowiak stated she solely accepts a comparatively small proportion of candidates. Then members apply this system through Semcog. She stated that civil servants ought to come from a metropolis that may be a Semcog member. Tomkowiak stated that Taubman pays tuition charges for the 2 Semcog alternatives, or $ 17,900 per pupil.
“For greater than 30 years, Taubman has supported the Taubman Fellows program of Semcog and his mission to provide leaders of Southeast Michigan entry to the easiest practices and folks from everywhere in the world,” stated Taubman chairman and CEO Robert S. Taubman in a press launch. “With the information gained from this substantial program, our representatives are nonetheless properly geared up to serve our area, our state and its individuals.”
Tomkowiak began to serve in 2016 within the Grosse Pointe metropolis council, when she was appointed to fill a emptiness. She was chosen for the primary time within the council in November 2017. Tomkowiak was chosen as mayor in 2019 and has since served in that position.
Tomkowiak has additionally held varied roles with Semcog, together with serving as a member of the Govt Committee and the Process Power for Water Infrastructure. She is professionally an extra journalism teacher at Wayne State College and the director and artistic director of Grayton Built-in Publishing.
The chance to alternate concepts with officers from native, provincial and nationwide governments from everywhere in the nation, in addition to regulation enforcement and non -profit leaders and worldwide officers, is without doubt one of the features of this system that Tomkowiak discovered enticing.
“I hope this program will assist me come to the following degree of effectiveness (as a municipal official),” stated Tomkowiak.
Semcog selects candidates who’re planning to share what they’ve discovered with fellow officers and use these expertise to enhance the area as a complete – one thing that’s cordially embraced Tomkowiak.
“I really feel strongly one of many issues we’ve got to do to make sure that our particular person neighborhood has thrives that we should be certain that the area blooms,” she stated.
Throughout a municipal assembly of April 21 Grosse Pointe, metropolis supervisor Joseph Valentine congratulated the mayor with the truth that he grew to become a Taubman fellow.
That sentiment was mirrored by metropolis councilor Dave Fries.
“A feather for you, mayor,” stated Fries.
Tomkowiak stated that she is going to enter this program with an open thoughts and a want to study from fellow officers.
“What I wish to return are new concepts and a brand new strategy to our steady issues and issues,” stated Tomkowiak.