Congratulations to the winter 2024 awardees of the Local Government Early Career Service Certificate. This certificate, launched in May 2019, is for graduating MPA/MPP students who have completed extensive projects for local governments. The Local Government Early Career Service Certificate recognizes graduating students in good academic standing who have completed or are in the process of completing a major service project for a local government organization or who have served on the university's ICMA Student Chapter board in an officer role for at least a year. Students are nominated by their ICMA Student Chapter faculty advisors or university professors for their outstanding demonstration of a strong commitment to local government.

Kirill Eydinov  | University of Michigan at Dearborn

Kirill is a dedicated public servant with a strong commitment to collaboration and leadership. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he brings resilience and discipline honed during his service to his work in public administration. While attending the University of Michigan–Dearborn, Kirill served as the founding president of his ICMA student chapter, where he excelled in member relations and organized initiatives to foster community engagement. During his internship with the city of Sterling Heights, he developed a sister city program that promoted cross-cultural understanding and collaboration between Sterling Heights, Michigan, and Ankawa, Iraq. An emerging leader in the field of public administration, Kirill has a unique focus on integrating new technologies to modernize the role of a public administrator. 

Ciji Garner | North Carolina Central University

Ciji is a dedicated public servant and community advocate from Gaston, North Carolina. She earned her undergraduate degree from North Carolina Central University and her MPA from NCCU in December 2024. As a strategic initiatives analyst with Durham County, she focuses on strategic planning and community engagement. Ciji is the founder of I Got Your Back, a nonprofit organization that supports low-income communities and empowers youth to succeed.

Connor Holman | Grand Canyon University 

Connor is from Parker, Colorado, who graduated in December 2024 from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor of arts in government and a minor in pre-law. Next fall, Connor will be attending law school with plans to become an attorney. However, the experience with ICMA has sparked an interest in potentially pursuing an MPA. Connor has thoroughly enjoyed the time with ICMA and hopes to carry this experience forward.

 

Logan Josey | Georgia Southern University 

Born and raised in the state of Georgia, Logan is a proud Georgia Southern double eagle, holding a bachelor of arts in international studies and an MPA. His interests lie in public policy, local government management, and planning. Over the past three years in his MPA program, he has become increasingly convinced of the power and purpose of local government to change people's lives. Recently, Logan started a position with Richmond Hill, Georgia, working in planning and zoning.

 

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Angel Torres | St. Petersburg University

Angel is a first-generation college student from Puerto Rico who grew up in foster care. He later earned his G.E.D. and served in the United States Army as an airborne paratrooper and forward observer. After an airborne accident and 15 surgeries, he attended St. Petersburg College, where he earned an associate in arts and a bachelor of science in public policy and administration, focusing on local government and nonprofit management. Angel served as vice president of his school's ICMA student chapter before being elected president during the 2024 school year. After graduation, Angel plans to pursue his master’s degree followed by a juris doctorate at Stetson University, with a focus on child advocacy and international law. 

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Other Recipients:

Haley Taylor| Georgia Southern University