Mission Statement

The University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service is a research, training, and resource organization focused on the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Center provides objective information, data, research, technical assistance, leadership development, and practical training to state and local officials, community leaders, and members of the general public.

The Weldon Cooper Center’s staff includes experts in public management, demography, economics, and public finance, political science, organizational development, workforce issues, and minority affairs. In addition, the Center serves as an access point to the intellectual resources of the University of Virginia.

The Cooper Center provides:

Information from government and other statistical sources

• Advice about data needs and how to fill them
• Guidance in using and analyzing data
• Assistance with interpreting the results of data analysis

Statistical Reports

• Population Estimates
• School Projections
• Income
• Tax Rates
• Regional Economies
• Statistical Abstract of Virginia

Training and Consulting: Programs, seminars, and forums

• Leadership skills for public officials
• Assistance to local government on organizational development and strategic planning

• Orientation programs for newly elected officials
• Certification programs for constitutional officers
• Management improvement

Policy Analysis

• Economic development
• Minorities
• Population
• Governmental organization and management
• Voting trends
• Workforce trends