Gov Comms Academy: Communication that builds public trust Request Training
Dionna Smith leading an executive communications workshop for public-sector leaders.
Professional education for public-sector leaders

When the public is listening, your message has to be ready.

Gov Comms Academy equips government leaders and communications professionals to speak, respond, write and lead with confidence, especially when the stakes are high.

Explore the Certificate View the Four Courses
  • Practitioner-led
  • Government-specific
  • Immediately applicable
  • Senior executive communications leadership
  • Real-world crisis communications experience
  • Bestselling author and practitioner
  • Training designed specifically for public institutions
Who we train

Training built for the people trusted to speak for public institutions.

Gov Comms Academy provides practical, scenario-based communications training for public-sector leaders, public information officers and the professionals responsible for informing their communities and protecting public trust.

Public Safety and Law Enforcement Leaders

Communication and media training for police chiefs, sheriffs, fire chiefs, EMS and emergency management leaders, 911 directors and command staff.Explore training

Public Information Officers

Practical preparation for media relations, public alerts, press briefings and crisis communication.Explore training

Education Leaders

Strategic communication for school boards, superintendents, principals, counselors and higher-education administrators.Explore training

Healthcare Leaders

Media, crisis and public-trust training for hospital executives, administrators and spokespersons.Explore training

Communications and Public Affairs

Advanced training for chief communications officers, deputies, managers and public affairs teams.Explore training

Government and Nonprofit Executives

Executive communication training for department leaders, attorneys, nonprofit executives and organizational spokespersons.Explore training
The core curriculum

Communication skills for every public moment.

Designed for leaders and communications professionals, and strongest when they learn together.

Instructor coaching a public leader at a podium during on-camera media training.
02

On the Record

Media Training for Public Leaders

Prepare for interviews, navigate difficult questions and protect the message when the pressure is on.

View course outline for On the Record
Facilitator leading communicators as they develop public messages together.
03

What Makes News?

Writing Media Materials That Get Used

Identify the public-interest angle and produce accurate, timely stories that are easier for newsrooms to use.

View course outline for What Makes News?
Flagship certificate program

One shared standard for every public voice.

The Government Executive Communications Certificate brings all four courses together in a cohort experience with applied assessments, a timed crisis capstone and an 80% mastery standard.

Explore the Certificate
12Instructional hours
4Applied assessments
1Crisis capstone
80%Mastery standard
What the learning experience looks like

Training that changes how leaders communicate when it matters most.

Every course is built around practice, assessment and real public-sector scenarios, so skills carry straight back to the job.

Live practice, not just theory

Participants rehearse remarks, work through practice interviews and draft real media materials, with direct feedback on substance and delivery.

Tested under realistic pressure

A timed crisis capstone has participants work through the first hour of a crisis, bringing every skill in the program together.

One standard across the team

When leaders and communicators learn together, they leave with shared language and a common approach to every public moment.

Preparing a leadership team or communications office?

Bring a private cohort to your city, county, agency, association or leadership team.

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On the Record: A Practical Guide to Crisis Communication for Executives and Public Leaders, by Dionna Smith
The book behind the practice

Stay ready before the crisis begins.

On the Record gives executives and public leaders a practical approach to crisis communication, message discipline and public trust. Academy programs bring those principles to life through practice, coaching and application.

Explore the Book
Portrait of Dionna Smith, founder and lead instructor of Gov Comms Academy.
Meet your instructor

Real-world expertise. Practical instruction. Public-service purpose.

Dionna Smith is a senior communications executive, crisis communications strategist and bestselling author who has advised executives and public leaders through high-visibility moments.

Her instruction connects strategy to the realities leaders face every day: public scrutiny, complex approvals, incomplete information, media pressure and the responsibility to maintain community trust.

  • Chief Communications Officer
  • Crisis Communications Expert
  • Bestselling Author
  • Executive & Public-Sector Advisor
Invite Dionna to speak or train
Individual enrollment

Interested in joining a public cohort?

Gov Comms Academy periodically offers public cohorts for government leaders and communications professionals who want to participate independently or enroll a small number of team members. Join the interest list to receive information about upcoming dates, tuition and enrollment opportunities.

Join the Public Cohort Interest List

Joining the interest list does not require payment or guarantee placement in a future cohort.

Bring Gov Comms Academy to your organization

Build a prepared bench of credible public voices.

Request a private cohort for your city, county, agency, association or leadership team.

Request a Training Consultation See the certificate