Earlier this summer, members of the Portland State University (PSU) ICMA Student Chapter had the opportunity to attend the 2025 Oregon City/County Management Association (OCCMA) Summer Conference in Bend, Oregon. The event brought together local government professionals from across the state for three days of learning, networking, and reflection on the evolving challenges and opportunities in public service.

For the ICMA Student Chapter of Portland State University, represented by master of public administration students Gabriella Tomei and Grace Painter, this experience offered a firsthand look at the values and leadership principles that define the city and county management profession. As a chapter dedicated to preparing the next generation of local government leaders, attending OCCMA was an invaluable chance to connect theory to practice and to engage directly with professionals who have shaped Oregon’s public sector landscape.

One of the most meaningful aspects of the conference was how genuinely inclusive and welcoming the OCCMA community was to the ICMA PSU Student Chapter participants.

The assistant administrators and other public servants made space for student voices and perspectives. The environment fostered open conversations about career paths, current policy challenges, and the future of the profession.

The conference itself featured a diverse lineup of sessions, workshops, and panels addressing such key topics as emergency preparedness, inclusive community engagement, and ethical governance. One of the most impactful sessions focused on managing community polarization, where panelists shared thoughtful strategies for building trust, transparency, and collaboration in divided times. Three more key sessions were:

• City/county manager contracts and evaluations, presented by speakers Tanya Ange, city administrator, Washington County, and ICMA President, and Kenna West, city manager, Independence. As students, understanding how to negotiate a contract, what to include in it, and the types of contracts was very insightful.
   
• Q&A panel of new and experienced city managers offered a unique perspective on the different types of city structures and the communities they serve.
   
• The city manager of Sisters, Oregon, provided a tour of Sisters, along with an in-depth talk about the city, including the demographics, housing, and main businesses. 

The insights and connections gained at the OCCMA Summer Conference will help shape our chapter’s programming and outreach in the coming academic year.

We are eager to bring these real-world lessons back to the classroom and share them with our peers through workshops, speaker events, and opportunities to visit various city halls around Oregon.

The PSU ICMA Student Chapter would like to thank OCCMA for welcoming students into its professional community and for recognizing the value of student engagement. Special thanks as well to the Hatfield School of Government faculty for encouraging and supporting student participation in events like these as well as to OCCMA for awarding both Tomei and Painter the Roger Jordan Scholarship Award to attend this year’s conference. 

As we continue to grow our chapter and prepare for future careers in city and county management, we are more inspired than ever by the example set by the dedicated public servants we met in Bend. The future of local government is collaborative, ethical, and community-driven, and we are proud to be part of that future.

Engage with students and local government peers at ICMA Annual Conference, October 25-29, in Tampa, Florida. The full agenda can be sorted by "Students" and more options under the "Filter by Personal Interest" tab.

ICMA Student Chapters Meeting
October 25, 2025, 4:00-5:00 p.m., Tampa Marriott Water Street, Florida Ballroom Salon V

Students will discuss chapter events, successes, and challenges, how chapters and students can work together, how ICMA can support students, and how students can contribute to the profession. This is also an opportunity for students to network.