Mayor Horrigan Opens Applications for Second Annual Citizens Institute to Give Akronites an Inside View of City Government
City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of Ellen Lander-Nischt
Published: 06-12-2018
Akron, Ohio, June 7, 2018 - Last year, Mayor Horrigan created the first ever City of Akron Citizens Institute—a free, 10-week program designed to provide Akron residents with an inside view of City operations and an opportunity to interact directly with City staff to ask questions and exchange ideas. Today, the City has opened applications for the 2018 Citizens Institute class.
“As City leaders it is our responsibility to keep our residents engaged and informed by inviting them to the table to discuss how to best serve our community,” Mayor Horrigan said. “I’m constantly impressed by the ideas and insight of our residents, and I wanted to create a dynamic program to bring citizens into City Hall and engage their potential on a deeper level.”
At Mayor Horrigan’s direction, City staff designed a diverse, City government-based curriculum that turns City Hall into a “community classroom” where residents can learn and ask questions of City leaders, department directors, and front-line staff. Residents will engage in discussions about the City’s charter form of government, its responsibilities and duties, and its accountability to the public. The inaugural class of 21 citizens completed the Institute program last fall and have continued to engage with City leadership on issues that matter to them.
“This program won’t be City leaders talking at residents, it will be a collaborative dialogue where both groups will learn from each other,” Mayor Horrigan said of his goals for the experience. “I encourage Akronites of all backgrounds to apply and seize this opportunity to get to know their City government better.”
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and current residents of Akron. The Institute will run from late August through early November 2018. A detailed description of the program and schedule of program dates is available HERE. Applications for the 2018 Citizens Institute are available HERE, and are due on or before June 22, 2018.
The Mayor’s Citizens Institute is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the OMNOVA Solutions Foundation. The City is partnering with Leadership Akron, who will serve as fiscal agent for the program.
Individuals with questions about the program or the application process should contact Summer Hall in the Mayor’s Office at (330) 375-2345 or [email protected]. Media inquiries should be directed to Ellen Lander Nischt, Press Secretary, at (330) 375-2325 or [email protected]
