The “silver tsunami,” the “gray wave,” and numerous other allusions have all been used to describe the transformational shift our local government workforce now faces as the last of the baby boomers and a majority of Generation X set sail toward retirement. Nautical wordplay aside, a new generation—millennials like me, with Gen Z right behind us—is rising to take the helm and steer the profession forward. Yet this defining transition poses a pressing question: who will follow in our wake and how do we keep them in the profession? One solution may be closer than you think: your local ICMA student chapter.

A Profession in Crisis: Who Comes Next? 

Workforce retention and recruitment in local government have long been a challenge, one that has only intensified in the post-pandemic era as remote work and the rise of AI continue to reshape workplace expectations and career choices. Anchoring the future of local government management requires more than simply filling today’s vacancies or supporting the development of current entry- and mid-level professionals. 

The profession must look outward, intentionally cultivating those who have yet to enter the field—the next generation of local government leaders. Internships are a valuable tool in advancing this goal, but on their own they lack the scale and reach necessary to secure the long-term future of the profession. ICMA student chapters open the door to a broader, more enduring pipeline of emergent leaders, engaging dozens of prospective professionals at a time, fostering long-term interest in the field, and forging a powerful sense of community and shared purpose among their members.

Launched in 2010 as part of ICMA’s Next Generation initiative, the student chapter program was created to attract rising talent and strengthen early- and mid-career development by connecting students who share an interest in local government with one another and with experienced practitioners. Today, the program has grown to more than 140 ICMA student chapters worldwide, representing more than 1,000 student members. 

Many of these chapters host numerous events throughout the year and actively participate in state and national conferences, giving student members invaluable opportunities to expand their bourgeoning networks, learn directly from practitioners, and gain a deeper understanding of the profession. ICMA student chapters represent a promising talent pool that has yet to be fully leveraged and could very well be one of the keys to securing the next era of local government professionals. 

Charting a Course with Villanova’s ICMA Student Chapter 

I first came across the ICMA student chapter program more than a decade ago at a moment of transition in my own life when I was searching for direction and a sense of purpose. In 2013, I stumbled upon the field of public administration, discovered my passion for local government management, and made the momentous decision to change careers. The fear and uncertainty of that transition were compounded by my own internalized anxiety: I didn’t know anyone in the field, nor did I have a clear sense of how to take the first step in building a brand-new professional network. Fortunately, my advisor—who also served as the faculty advisor for the ICMA student chapter at Villanova University, where I was pursuing my master of public administration degree—encouraged me to get involved with the chapter. 

My time as a member of Villanova University’s ICMA student chapter, including my tenure as chapter president in 2015–2016, provided me with both guidance in navigating a new career path and a strong sense of community that supported my growth along the way. Through the chapter, I found a structured way to connect with peers and learn from seasoned local government professionals, transforming the uncertainty I once carried into a clear calling and a deeper sense of purpose. 

The relationships I built and the mentorship I received during that period became the foundation of my professional journey into local government management, opening doors for internships, conference opportunities, and lasting connections within the field. Today, I am proud to call many of my former classmates and chapter members colleagues, and I take great comfort in knowing that the bonds we forged have strengthened our growth and capabilities as professionals, leaving local government management in our region stronger for it. 

Strengthening the Profession through ICMA Student Chapters

The ICMA student chapter program represents a dynamic, yet largely underutilized pipeline of emerging talent. These chapters bring together students whose curiosity and growing passion for public service are just beginning to take shape and whose growth depends on the guidance of those already leading in the field. By actively engaging with ICMA student chapters, today’s professionals can nurture that passion and ignite the kind of inspiration that lasts well beyond the classroom. 

After graduating with my MPA from Villanova in 2016 until I joined Lower Merion Township in mid-2023, I must admit that I gave little time or thought to the idea of giving back to the chapter and program that had been so instrumental in launching my career in local government. As I suspect is the case with countless other public administrators who care but have not extensively engaged the next generation, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, workplace and family commitments consumed my time and attention. That dynamic changed with my move to Lower Merion in 2023, and a chance reacquaintance with the Villanova ICMA student chapter. 

When Alexandra (Allie) Garrett and Mia Badman, two newly enrolled MPA students and the freshly elected leaders of the Villanova ICMA student chapter, reached out they weren’t just looking for advice. They wanted to hear from someone who had once stood exactly where they were—uncertain but eager, full of questions about what it really meant to step into the field of local government management. For them, connecting with a program alum, former student chapter president, and practitioner working just three miles away from the Villanova University campus must have felt like a tremendous chance to bridge classroom lessons and real-world experience in the profession. What struck me most, however, was that their outreach wasn’t just about their own growth. They were thinking bigger, seeking to create opportunities that would benefit their classmates and strengthen the chapter as a whole, ensuring the support they received would ripple outward to others. 

In that moment, I realized their initiative was also a call to me—to re-engage, to give back, and to help anchor the profession with the same kind of support that once meant so much in my own journey. That initial touchpoint did in fact ripple; it fostered a stronger connection, one that had been weakened since the pandemic, between the Villanova ICMA student chapter and the local council of governments, the state local government management association, and countless municipalities across the Philadelphia suburbs. This reinvigorated relationship has resulted in expanded professional networks, increased student attendance at conferences, and new colleagues in the field. Both Allie and Mia are now full-time municipal employees in nearby communities.

Same Message, New Student Chapters

One of the main motivations behind my decision to seek a position on the ICMA Executive Board was a desire to amplify the message of engaging our ICMA student chapters and investing in the next generation of professionals. Serving as one of ICMA’s Northeast Regional vice presidents has given me the incredible opportunity to do just that: sharing my own story, encouraging others to get involved, and helping to strengthen the pipeline of emerging talent that will carry our profession forward. And the impact is evident. 

Just last year, I was able to reconnect with former Villanova student chapter classmate Dr. Adam Kuczynski, who recently joined the faculty at Seton Hall University. Together, we worked to guide students in launching a brand-new student chapter at Seton Hall, the first and currently only student chapter in New Jersey. The chapter’s formation has already welcomed nearly two dozen student members, who will undoubtedly benefit from ICMA’s local and national networks, mentorship opportunities, and the wide array of other professional resources available to members. This achievement was a full-circle moment for me that underscored just how powerful ICMA student chapter connections can be, not only for students but for the profession as a whole.

A Call to Action: Anchoring the Profession

I share my story and experience not only as a powerful testament to the incredible value that the ICMA student chapter program offers, but also as a call to action to my fellow practitioners. As ICMA members, we have a duty to strengthen and sustain the field. The challenges our profession faces from the tidal wave of retirements and post-pandemic shifts in workforce expectations make securing the future of local government management an essential priority. By engaging with ICMA student chapters, current professionals have the opportunity not only to mentor and guide the next generation but also to infuse the field at scale with fresh perspectives, new ideas, and renewed energy. 

The passion and commitment demonstrated by Allie and Mia of the Villanova Chapter, Adam and the students of the new Seton Hall Chapter, as well as the students I have encountered from SUNY Brockport, Arizona State, the University of Pennsylvania, and chapters across Florida and beyond, represent the future of our field. It is our responsibility as current practitioners to nurture, guide, and empower these emerging leaders. The connections we make today will shape the managers of tomorrow, anchoring the future of local government management and leaving a lasting impact on the communities we serve. Every conversation, mentorship, and opportunity we provide strengthens the foundation of our field, reminding us that the growth and vitality of local government management as a profession is a shared responsibility, one that begins with fostering the talent, curiosity, and passion of those who will follow in our footsteps. 

BRANDON FORD is assistant township manager of Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, USA, and serves as ICMA Northeast regional vice-president.