
MAYOR HORRIGAN'S CITIZENS INSTITUTE
Program Description
Modeled after best practices in other thriving cities, the Mayor’s Citizens Institute is a free, 10-week experience in which a group of approximately 25 Akron residents will meet once a week in the evenings, to engage with City departments and leaders. Participants will be diverse and interested in finding out how their local government works and in turn, how they can help Akron grow and succeed.
Attendees will learn about available city programs, services, meet city staff and experience mock decision-making processes. By engaging diverse citizens, we hope to educate one another, and foster pride, progress and partnerships within our community. We believe the Mayor’s Citizens Institute will spark an interest in public service, increase citizen engagement in City events and processes, give citizens a voice in their community, and will help to educate others in their knowledge of the City of Akron. It is our ultimate goal to develop participants into true ambassadors for Akron and all it has to offer.
City leaders/programs will benefit from the participant feedback, creativity and newly formed community partnerships and support. Through the Institute, we will establish better communication and transparency between city government and our citizens.
Participants must be 18 or older and live in Akron. Dinner will be provided each evening as well as the transportation required for moving participations from locations/departments/facilities throughout the city.
The City of Akron Citizens Institute is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Akron Community Foundation. Leadership Akron serves as the fiscal agent.
Applications for the 2021 Mayor's Citizens Institute are being accepted through July 19, 2021. Click here to access the fillable .pdf application. Once you download and complete, please attach it to your email or print it out and send to the mailing address below.
Send completed application to:
Email: [email protected]
City of Akron
C/O Summer Hall
166 S. High Street Suite 200
Akron, Ohio 44308
330/375-2376
FAX 330/375-2468
2021 Program Schedule
All dates are Tuesdays, unless otherwise noted.
All events take place from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
August 26 (Thursday): Welcoming Reception
August 31: Human Resources/ Finance/NARCAN Training
September 7: Akron Police Department
September 14: Akron Police Department Training Center
September 21: Office of Integrated Development
September 28: Public Service Department
October 5: Fire Department -Station 4
October 12: Recreation Bureau / Lock 3 / Ohio Erie Canal Coalition
October 18: (Monday): City Council Meeting 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
October 26: Dept. of Neighborhood Assistance / Housing / Infant Mortality
November 3 (Wednesday): Small Business Program / Bounce / Akronite App / Great Streets
November 10 (Wednesday): Graduation Ceremony