Course

High Country Public Service Academy

Jul 30, 2026 - Jul 31, 2026

$200 Enroll

Full course description

For the discounted group rate (8 or more individuals), contact continuinged@nau.edu

For students, do not register here; contact continuinged@nau.edu with a valid .edu email address to receive the student rate

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Program Description

The 2026 High Country Public Service Academy is an immersive summer conference training designed for professionals and leaders across sectors who are committed to strengthening their impact in public service. This dynamic program focuses on developing effective leadership skills, professional resilience, and adaptive strategies needed to navigate today’s complex public-sector challenges. Participants will engage in interactive sessions, collaborative workshops, and meaningful dialogue that foster peer-to-peer learning and lasting professional connections.

Attendees will learn directly from experienced practitioners and subject-matter experts, gaining practical insights they can immediately apply within their organizations and communities. The Academy emphasizes collaboration, reflection, and innovation, creating a supportive environment where public servants can recharge, refine their leadership approach, and broaden their perspectives.

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Schedule at a Glance:

Theme: Investing in the Future of Public Service

Date

Time

Session

Details / Speakers

Day 1 –

July 30,

2026

9:00–

9:45

a.m.

Check-In & Registration

—

 

10:00–

10:30

a.m.

Welcome & Overview

Drs. Rinfret and Helford

 

10:30–

11:45

a.m.

Training Session 1: Communicating in Crisis – Your Success Story

Trainers: Joshua Wright, Joanne Keene, Scott Butler

 

12:00–

1:15

p.m.

Lunch & Keynote

Adrian Fontes, Arizona Secretary of State

 

1:15–

2:45

p.m.

Training Session 2:

Workplace Fatigue – Roadmap to Resilience

Trainers: Keely Varvel, Anne Spickard

 

3:00–

4:15

p.m.

Training Session 3: Future-

Ready Leadership – Succession Planning

Trainer: Ginger Spencer

 

4:30–

5:30

p.m.

Wine & Cheese Networking Reception

Annex, downtown Flagstaff

 

 

Day 2 –

July 31,

2026

8:30–

10:00

a.m.

Training Session 4: The Future of AI in Government & Public

Services

Trainers: Michael Moore, Eric Wise

 

10:15–

11:45

a.m.

Training Session 5: Attracting Tomorrow’s Workforce –

Building a Talent Pipeline

Trainers: current NAU students and recent NAU graduates

 

12:00–

12:30

p.m.

Closing Remarks

Speaker: Becky Daggett, Mayor of Flagstaff

 

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Speaker Highlights

AZ Secretary of State Adrian Fontes: In 2022, Adrian Fontes was elected as Arizona's 21st Secretary of State. Secretary Fontes is a proud Arizona native, an honorable veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and the father of three daughters, who has spent a lifetime fighting for justice and defending our Democracy.Secretary Fontes served on active duty from 1992 to 1996 and was nominated for a meritorious commission. His service to our country taught him the importance of dedication, discipline, and sacrifice to forcefully fight for the American dream. After graduating from law school, Secretary Fontes spent his career advocating for justice and fighting for those who are disadvantaged — first as a prosecutor with the Denver District Attorney and then at the Maricopa County Attorney’s office. He later led the International Prosecution Unit at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. He practiced law for 15 years before running for office in 2016 when he was elected Maricopa County Recorder. As Recorder, Secretary Fontes revolutionized the election system by ensuring that every eligible Arizonan had the access they needed to vote. Adrian enhanced ballot tracking technology and increased process transparency, winning recognition and awards from election organizations across the country. In 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 crisis and amidst violent protests, Maricopa County saw record voter turnout, as well as record numbers of new voters registered for both parties. Secretary Fontes later testified before Congress to inform them of threats facing election officials. Secretary Fontes is committed to preserving integrity in our elections, making voting easier for registered voters, and ensuring that Arizona’s business community has a non-partisan partner in the Secretary’s office.

Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett: Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett is a decisive problem-solver who is skilled at building consensus and cultivating trust and respect. With an awareness that real change requires contrasting perspectives at the table, she is an effective and confident leader who actively invites all voices and ideas into municipal decision-making. A longstanding community advocate, Mayor Daggett brings her signature drive and strategic approach to address Flagstaff’s most pressing issues. Her advocacy combines thorough research with the expertise of trusted colleagues. Regardless of the issue, she skillfully balances competing interests and prioritizes doing what she believes is right–even when it’s not the easiest path.

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Scott Butler - City Manager, City of Mesa: Scott Butler was appointed in a unanimous vote by City Council to serve as Mesa City Manager effective June 1, 2025. He brings nearly 21 years of dedicated service to the City, most recently serving as Assistant City Manager since July 2022. Throughout his tenure, Scott has overseen several critical departments including Police, Fire and Medical, Municipal Court, Transportation, Transit, Falcon Field Airport, Public Information and Governmental Affairs. His previous roles include Deputy City Manager from 2015-2022 and Director of Governmental Affairs from 2008-2015. He has led numerous transformative projects, including securing the Chicago Cubs’ continued presence in Mesa, acquiring the Air Force Research Labs, developing State Route 24 and securing federal support for Mesa Gateway Airport’s new air traffic control tower. Before joining Mesa in 2004, Scott served in roles across local, state and federal governments, including as a policy advisor for the Georgia House of Representatives, senior advisor to the Georgia Secretary of State and outreach liaison at the White House Office of Scheduling and Advance. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Georgia and a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University.

Kira Johannes - NAU

Joanne Keene - City Manager, City of Flagstaff: Joanne Keene became the Flagstaff City Manager in November, 2025. She brings over 25 years of experience in city, county, federal, and higher education leadership, coupled with a strong commitment to the Flagstaff community. Her previous experience includes serving as the Deputy City Manager for the City of Flagstaff, Deputy City Manager for the City of Sedona, Deputy County Manager for Coconino County, and Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at Northern Arizona University. She is an International City/ County Management Association (ICMA) Credentialed Manager and values fiscal responsibility, clear communication, and transparency. Keene is a Northern Arizona University graduate with a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in English and broadcast journalism. She serves on numerous local committees and boards and is a Flinn-Brown Fellow.

Andrea Lucchesi - NAU: Andrea Lucchesi graduated from Northern Arizona in 2020 with her Bachelors in Elementary Education and in 2024 with her Master of Public Administration. With a diverse background in education and healthcare, Andrea brings a unique skill set in her approach to government. She helped to establish the NAU Chapter of Pi Alpha Alpha, a global honor society that recognizes the academic excellence of public administration students. She is also an ASU Mentor Teacher, providing mentorship and guidance to teaching graduates entering the profession. Andrea continues to build herself professionally using complex challenges in municipal government. In that, she enjoys finding strategic solutions to community problems that are both equitable and ethical.

Michael Moore - Chief Information Security Officer, Arizona Secretary of State: Michael has worked to develop federal, state, and local government partnerships as well as collaborated with trusted vendors to protect democracy and fulfill our shared duty to the American voter. The greatest threats to elections are MDM and the resulting insider threat caused by radicalized citizens. The best protection against these threats is combatting lies with the truth, developing secure and resilient systems that prevent attacks whenever possible, allow for detections of compromise and facilitate accurate and rapid recovery. Michael has pushed forward these initiatives in his own organization as well as across the Elections community.

Ginger Spencer - Assistant City Manager, City of Phoenix: Ginger Spencer was named Assistant City Manager for the city of Phoenix in December 2025. Prior to that she served as a Deputy City Manager since 2021. Her areas of responsibility include Community and Economic Development, Water, Environmental, and the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority/Phoenix Community Development & Investment Corporation as well as the social services, innovation, parks, and phoenix convention center departments. During her 28 years of service with the city of Phoenix, Ginger has served in various leadership positions including Public Works Director, Assistant Public Works Director, Deputy Public Works Director, Family Advocacy Center Director, Arts and Culture Administrator, and Special Assistant to the City Manager. She is the Immediate Past President of the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) and the recipient of the prestigious 2026 Catherine F. Connolly Outstanding Assistant City/County Manager Award and a 2024 recipient of the NextGen Mentorship Award. Ginger also serves on the board of directors for the Arizona Science Center, Trellis of Arizona and The Recycling Partnership. A native of Phoenix, Ginger holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Arizona State University and a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. In 2013, she was named by The Phoenix Business Journal as one of the “40 under 40” Top Business Leaders in Phoenix and was also named by the Engaging Local Government Leaders in 2018 as a Traeger 100 Top Influencer in Government. In 2021, Ginger was recognized by the American Public Works Association as one of the Top 10 Public Works Leaders in the nation. She is also a recipient of the Marks of Excellence Award by the National Forum for Black Public Administrators Central Arizona Chapter and served as a faculty associate teaching leadership development in Arizona State University’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions from 2019-2024.

Anette Spickard - City Manager, City of Sedona: Anette became the Sedona City Manager in April 2024. Anette oversees all operations of the city and reports directly to the 7-member Council. She came to Sedona after serving 6 years as the McCall, Idaho City Manager, and before that as the Director of Community Development and Public Works for Springfield, Oregon where she was the CEO of the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission, the second largest wastewater treatment facility in Oregon. Anette has 30 years of public leadership experience with cities, counties, and as an elected official. She enjoys volunteering in the community and has served on numerous non-profit boards, the school board, and as a Rotarian. She has been a Guest Lecturer for master’s degree programs at the University of Washington and the University of Idaho. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Loyola Marymount University. She is a credentialed manager with ICMA. Anette loves white-water rafting, skiing, world travel, knitting, spending time with her family, and being anywhere out in nature with her husband and dog.

Keely Varvel - Assistant Arizona Secretary of State: Keely Varvel serves as the Assistant Secretary of State and Chief of Staff to Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. With a 30-year career spanning both the legislative and administrative branches of government at the local, state and federal level in Arizona, Keely is a veteran government agency administrator, public policy advisor and political and communications strategist. Keely is a seasoned election official, holding a Certified Elections and Registration Administrator (CERA) credential from the National Association of Election Officials and Auburn University. When Adrian Fontes was Maricopa County Recorder, Keely served as Chief Deputy Recorder from 2017-2021 and oversaw the operations and management of the Recorder’s Office and Elections Department. With nearly 2.5 million registered voters, Maricopa County is the second largest voting jurisdiction in the U.S. She began her career as a Congressional staffer for US Congresswoman Karan English and then Keely went on to work for several years at the Arizona State Legislature for both the Senate and House Democratic Caucuses in various roles including policy advisor, communications director and chief of staff. During those years she also worked in fundraising, communications and management roles on nationally targeted political campaigns. Keely was the Deputy Director of Governor Janet Napolitano’s Office of Children, Youth and Families and later was appointed to oversee administration of workforce related programs and then strategic agency initiatives at the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Keely was chosen by the Arizona Business Journal as one of their Forty under 40 in 2009 and was awarded “Best Capitol Staffer” by the Arizona Capitol Times in 2013. She was honored with the “Medallion Award” by the National Association of Secretaries of State in 2021 for her leadership of the Maricopa County Elections Department during the challenges of the 2020 election. Keely is also a member of the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission, appointed to the post by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego in 2022. Keely is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and alumnus of Arizona State University.

Eric Wise - NAU: Eric Wise serves as the Coordinator and Instructor for Northern Arizona University’s Election Administration Certificate Program and teaches public administration courses to Tempe government employees. Leveraging a decade of experience across law enforcement, elections, emergency management, and financial services, he brings a grounded, multidisciplinary approach to solving modern challenges faced by government. Eric holds a Master of Public Administration from Northern Arizona University. 

 

Josh Wright - University of Arizona, Chief Facilities & Planning Officer: Josh Wright serves as Chief Facilities and Planning Officer for The University of Arizona, with statewide responsibility for design, construction and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure; real estate; sustainability programs; environmental health and safety; space management; and UA Tech Parks. He previously served as City Manager and Assistant City Manager for the City of Chandler, Town Manager for the Town of Wickenburg, and in various leadership roles for the Town of Marana. An Arizona native, he holds bachelor’s degrees and an MPA from The University of Arizona.

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Location: Hosted in Flagstaff, Arizona, the conference offers more than professional development - it offers an experience. Nestled among ponderosa pines, Flagstaff is beautiful in the summertime, with cool mountain air, scenic landscapes, and access to outdoor recreation, local culture, and historic charm. The setting provides the perfect backdrop for learning, networking, and renewal, making the High Country Public Service Academy an ideal reason to plan a summer trip that is both professionally rewarding and personally refreshing.

Conference Dates: July 30th & July 31st, 2026

 

Cost: Early Bird Bate until May 1st, 2026 - $200.00; Regular rate after 5/1 - $220.00

  • Group discount rate of $195.00 available; contact continuinged@nau.edu for groups of 8 or more
  • Student discount rate of $75.00 available for students with a valid .edu email address. Please contact continuinged@nau.edu to register as a student

Parking: Parking is available on NAU's campus at a rate of $16.00/vehicle/day.

 

Registration Deadline: Early Bird Rate, May 1, 2026; Regular Rate, Wednesday, July 15th, 2026

Credentials Offered: An NAU digital badge will be awarded at the conclusion of the workshop. Click the badge image below to view the badge's webpage.

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Hotel Registration Information:

You will find information for online reservation linked below. If you have questions or need help with the link, please do not hesitate to ask at continuinged@nau.edu. 

Hotel(s) offering a special group rate:

  • Courtyard by Marriott Flagstaff for 144.00 USD per night - Last Day to Book: Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Book your group rate for High Country Public Service Academy

  • SpringHill Suites by Marriott Flagstaff for 144.00 USD per night - Last Day to Book: Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Book your group rate for High Country Public Service Academy

  • SpringHill Suites by Marriott Flagstaff for 144.00 USD per night - Last Day to Book: Monday, June 29, 2026

Embassy Suites Flagstaff Hotel

  • Hampton Inn & Suites Flagstaff for 144.00 USD per night - Last Day to Book: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
    • Rate only available within the designated date range (7/29/26 - 8/1/26)
    • Select Special Rate and navigate to Promotion Code
    • Promotion Code: PSA
    • Select 'Find Rates' and select two queens at the rate of 144.00 USD per night
    • When viewing rates, please ensure 'Public Service Academy' appears next to the rate
    • Contact continuinged@nau.edu with questions or concerns regarding this process

Hampton Inn & Suites Flagstaff Hotel & Lodging

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For questions or concerns, please contact: ContinuingEd@nau.edu

 

Accessibility

Professional disability specialists are available at Disability Resources to facilitate a range of academic support services and accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have a documented disability, you can request assistance by contacting Disability Resources at 928-523-8773 or dr@nau.edu.

Refunds

Registrants may withdraw from the conference with a full refund up to one week prior to the course start date. There is a 50% administration fee for withdrawals from one week prior to the course start date until the day the program begins. After the start date, refunds are no longer available.