Scholarship Awardee Bailey Cullen Blog: A Day with ICMA Experience
A Day with ICMA: A Firsthand Look at the Work of City and County Leaders
By Bailey Cullen, Graduate Student, Pepperdine University | Issaquah, WA Day with ICMA
This June, I had the privilege of attending A Day with ICMA in Issaquah, WA after receiving the Cal-ICMA Veteran Scholarship. As a Marine Corps veteran, I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with local government workers who are committed to making a difference in their communities. A Day with ICMA gave me a firsthand look at the work city and county leaders do every day to serve their residents.
Bailey Cullen with ICMA CEO/ED Julia Novak and ICMA member Gabriella Tomei
Throughout the conference, we discussed the everyday challenges local governments are facing, the importance of building trust within communities, and the obstacles public administrators face in an ever-changing environment. It was inspiring to hear how different communities are addressing these issues. One of the highlights of the day was meeting local government leaders and even a fellow student from across the West Coast.
Hearing about their unique origin stories, experiences, and career paths reminded me that there are many ways to serve others in this profession, and every conversation offered a new perspective. I especially appreciated everyone's openness and willingness to share advice with young professionals entering the field. As someone transitioning from military service into a career in public policy, this experience reinforced why I chose this path.
The conference connected many of the concepts I've been studying at Pepperdine with the real world challenges local governments face every day. I left Washington with a greater appreciation for the impact of local leadership and for the dedicated professionals working behind the scenes to keep our cities and counties running smoothly. I am sincerely thankful to ICMA for awarding me the Veteran Scholarship and making this experience possible.
Cal-ICMA Scholarship Winners with ICMA Member April Mitts