Phase One — Foundation
Pre-MPA Launchpad
Track your RRCU session details here. Use the dedicated RRCU Program tab above for the full week-by-week tracker.
Record every CAPCOG meeting, ED event, and initiative you work on. Build this log into a portfolio of contributions.
Log every internship you apply for, interview status, and details of any positions you secure. This builds your application history and tracks momentum.
Log your LinkedIn posts, new connections, and any engagement that advances your professional brand. Consistency here builds your public identity as a future city manager.
Every shadowing opportunity is a relationship and a resume entry. Log all the details here so nothing slips through the cracks.
Phase 1 Milestone: Land 1 internship or shadowing opportunity by Dec 2024. Budget: $0–200 for memberships.
Phase Two
MPA Year 1 — Hands-On Foundation
Aim for ED Coordinator Intern, Planning Tech, or Admin Assistant in Round Rock or nearby (Cedar Park, etc.). Apply via roundrocktexas.gov/jobs. Use CAPCOG contacts for intros. Target $15–25/hr part-time.
Take ED-focused electives: urban economics, policy analysis. Propose a capstone tied to a CAPCOG-inspired topic. Meet your advisor in Q1 2025 to map the plan.
Attend TML Annual Conference (June 2026), ICMA webinars, and local meetups. Goal: 5 coffee chats with ED professionals each quarter. Shadow at least one city manager.
Begin ICMA Credentialed Manager prep or IEDC basics. Student access often free or discounted. Visit icma.org/learn and iedconline.org.
Build a Notion or Excel tracker for every professional contact. Log name, city, role, date met, follow-up. Goal: 10+ contacts by mid-year, 20+ by Dec 2025.
Phase 2 Milestone: 6+ months of city experience + 10 new professional contacts by December 2025 — check back here to mark these done!
Phase Three — You Are Here
BA Final Year & Skill Acceleration
Convert internship to fellowship or move to ED Specialist. Volunteer for high-visibility projects like site selection. Negotiate using your CAPCOG credibility. Target $40–50k if full-time. You're graduating with your BA in Dec 2026 — this is the year to level up.
Run for ICMA Student Chapter leadership or CAPCOG subcommittee chair. Attend TML City Manager Academy. Apply to TML's City Management School.
Compile case studies (e.g., "CAPCOG ED Strategy"). Publish an op-ed in a local paper or on LinkedIn. Present at your MPA program's symposium.
Target city managers in cities with 50k–200k residents for informational interviews. Use the ICMA mentorship program. Bi-monthly outreach cadence.
Phase 3 Milestone: Lead 1 major project end-to-end + earn IEDC or ICMA intro certification.
Liberty University — BS Public Administration
Class Schedule & GPA Tracker
Phase Four
MPA Year & Post-Grad Launch
Apply 6 months before MPA graduation (mid-2027). MPA + BA + experience = $60–80k starting salary. This is your first full-time professional role in city government. Leverage every reference you've built.
Work toward full CM certification. 3–5 years experience + CM designation is the benchmark for advancement to Director and Deputy/Asst. City Manager roles.
Mid-level milestone. Lead full departments. Publish or contribute to research. Salary range: $100–140k. Continue building your reputation in Texas municipal circles.
The goal. Target mid-sized Texas cities (50k–200k pop). 70% of city managers hold an MPA — you'll be there. 10–15 years total experience. You've built the network, the credentials, and the reputation.
Ultimate Goal: City Manager of a Texas mid-sized city. Salary trajectory: ED Analyst ($60k) → ED Director ($100–140k) → City Manager ($150–250k+).
Liberty University — Master of Public Administration
MPA Class Schedule & GPA Tracker
Round Rock City University
RRCU Program Tracker
Track each week of the Round Rock City University program. Click a session to expand it, add your notes, and check it off when complete. The gold border marks your current/upcoming week.
Program Goal: Complete all 11 sessions of Round Rock City University — your direct pipeline into city government relationships and operations knowledge.
One-Stop Shop
Municipal Quick Launch
All your professional memberships, learning platforms, and key resources in one place. Click any button to open the site directly — no searching required.
Additional Resources
Events & Conferences
Your Calendar
AI + Municipal Government
AI Integration Track
Your goal is to be on the forefront of integrating AI systems into municipalities. You're already building this foundation through IBM SkillsBuild. This track maps your path from learner to pioneer.
AI Track — Active Now
Learning & Foundation
Complete the AI Fundamentals course on IBM SkillsBuild. Earn your IBM badge. Focus on how AI systems work, machine learning concepts, and responsible AI principles.
Complete the AI for Business course track. This bridges technical understanding with real-world application — especially relevant for municipal use cases like permitting, citizen services, and budgeting.
Identify 5–10 cities already deploying AI (e.g., Austin, LA, NYC, Boston). Document what they're doing — chatbots, predictive analytics, 311 automation. Build a reference library.
Write an article on how AI can transform Texas municipal services — permitting, economic development, citizen engagement. Publish on LinkedIn, a local paper, or a public admin journal. Start building your thought leadership.
AI Track — MPA Year
Applying AI to Public Service
Propose a capstone project examining how AI tools can accelerate economic development in Texas mid-sized cities. Partner with CAPCOG for real-world data and scope.
Attend at minimum one GovTech, Smart Cities, or AI in Government conference. Network specifically with city tech officers and innovation directors. Targets: ICMA Annual, NLC Congress of Cities, or Smart City Expo.
Once in a city staff role, identify one department-level problem where AI could improve efficiency. Draft a formal proposal (scope, vendor options, cost/benefit, equity considerations) and present it to leadership.
AI Track — Long Range
Pioneer & Policy Influence
Author or co-author a policy framework for responsible AI use in Texas cities — covering data privacy, vendor accountability, equity audits, and community engagement. Position this as a TML or TCMA resource.
Submit a speaker proposal to ICMA Annual, TML Conference, or a GovTech summit sharing your firsthand experience deploying or proposing AI in a city context. Build your reputation as a go-to voice in this space.
AI Vision: Be recognized as a leader in ethical, community-centered AI adoption in Texas municipal government — the city manager who gets it right.
Professional Profile
Nichola's Resume
Nichola Cotto
(512) 289-8928 • [email protected] • Georgetown, Texas
ICMA Member • Texas City Management Association • CAPCOG ED Advisory Board
Mission-driven public service professional with a foundation in paralegal studies, nonprofit executive leadership, and community advocacy — now directing her career toward Texas municipal government and economic development. Demonstrated expertise in governance, strategic planning, budget oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Passionate about ethical leadership and building stronger Texas communities through effective, servant-centered public service.
Professional Experience
Executive Director
We Are Not Broken — Georgetown, Texas
2018 – 2025
- Provided full executive leadership and operational oversight for a regional nonprofit serving women and families across multiple counties.
- Served as primary liaison to the Board of Directors, supporting governance, strategic planning, fiduciary oversight, and organizational reporting.
- Developed and implemented short- and long-range strategic plans aligned with mission, board priorities, and financial sustainability.
- Prepared and presented annual operating budgets and multi-year financial plans; ensured accurate reporting of assets, liabilities, and expenditures.
- Cultivated and maintained donor, sponsor, and community partner relationships, earning Nonprofit of the Year 2022 (Austin Women in Business).
- Represented the organization publicly through formal briefings, presentations, and regional community engagement initiatives.
Legal Research Intern
Williamson County Attorney's Office — Georgetown, Texas
2025
- Conducted legal research, document review, and case preparation in a governmental legal environment.
- Supported compliance, policy interpretation, and administrative processes within county government operations.
Business Owner & Operations Director
Fitness & Childcare Facility — Leesville, LA
2012 – 2018
- Owned and operated a high-volume fitness facility (200+ members) with an integrated childcare component in a regulated environment.
- Supervised a team of 10, establishing performance standards, training programs, and accountability systems.
- Managed operational budgets, vendor relationships, and service contracts; ensured childcare safety compliance.
Licensed Texas REALTOR®
Central Texas — Current
Current
- Integrates regulatory knowledge, contract management, and stakeholder relations in complex real estate transactions.
- Managed documentation, timelines, and compliance requirements while resolving issues through professional negotiation.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Public Administration
Liberty University
In Progress — Expected Spring 2027
Associate of Applied Science, Paralegal Studies
Austin Community College
Completed
Bachelor of Arts
Melody Urquhart Master School, United Kingdom
Completed
