The city of Columbia is currently accepting applications for its Fall 2024 Civic Academy. The Civic Academy is a free, eight-session interactive program that provides insight into local government services and operations and offers opportunities for civic engagement.  

The sessions are held from 6-9 p.m. each Thursday from October through November 21, except the October 31 session which will be held on Wednesday, October 30. Dinner is provided at each session.

During the Civic Academy, participants will learn about their local government and how its operations impact their daily lives. In addition to presentations from city leadership, participants will have the opportunity to tour city facilities and participate in simulations of public safety equipment. The final week of the program will highlight Boone County government operations and elections. 

“The city’s Civic Academy has been one of our most successful programs,” City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said in a news release. To date, 49 people have participated in the program. He added, “I encourage residents to consider applying to this free event to learn how they can help shape the future of our city and to enable themselves to be more engaged citizens.”

Applications for the city’s fourth Civic Academy are open and will be accepted until full. Participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Civic Academy is open to Columbia residents 18 years or older. The program is free, but enrollment is limited to 20 participants. Visit CoMo.gov/civic-academy/ to view the schedule and apply. To request a paper application, contact Assistant City Manager Carol Rhodes at 573-874-7219 or at Carol.Rhodes@CoMo.gov.