Harrisonburg Citizen Academy

Applications are accepted, and enrollment is granted, on a first-come, first-served basis. The decision of the program administrator on all applications is final.

The Citizen Academy is free to anyone 18 years of age or older. The only cost to you is two hours a week.

Different people have different reasons for participating.  While our citizens use city services every day, they very rarely see what happens "behind the scenes" or have access to information regarding why and how things happen.  The Academy is a great way to find out more about how the City of Harrisonburg is working for you.  Additionally, citizens who are considering or who may consider applying for an appointment to one of our many boards and commissions or even a future run for City Council

The City has excellent Citizen Police Academy that is open to all area residents and held in the spring.  That program details the activities of the Police Department.  The Harrisonburg Citizen Academy covers all city departments and services as opposed to just the Police Department.  The programs compliment each other and the City encourages you to participate in both.

Yes, though preference may be given to city residents if the cap on applicants is reached.

Participants in the academy must attend 9 of the 12 regular sessions (the optional tour is not included in this figure) to receive a certificate.  We recognize that our participants may experience conflicts over the course of the Academy program.  However, the city staff works very hard to make sure that participants get a comprehensive picture of the City.  If more than three sessions are missed, this picture is not complete.  Extenuating and unexpected circumstances will be taken into account as necessary.  We ask our participants to remember that city staff are also making time in their

Due to space restrictions, class size is limited to 25.

The Citizen Academy is open to anyone 18 years of age or older.

You can apply for the Citizen Academy online, by mail, fax, or in person at the City Manager's Office.

The Citizen Academy is held in fall. Sessions last two hours, beginning at 6:00pm and ending at 8:00pm.