You don’t have to run for office to change your community. You just have to show up for it!
21 Years! 700+ Graduates. All of them every day people who decided to get involved!
Citizens Academy puts you in the room with the people who run your county. Not to observe. To ask questions, contribute to solutions, and figure out where you fit in. Eleven weeks. Real conversations. No prior experience required.
How It Works
Every session, a new topic! A new venue! A new set of panelists selected specifically for their expertise in that week’s subject!
By the time you graduate, you will have heard directly from nearly 40 local decision-makers spanning Onondaga County government, the City of Syracuse, regional agencies, and community organizations. Not through a textbook. In the same room, face to face!
Most sessions follow the same format:
- A light meal and time to connect with your fellow cohort members before the session begins
- Each panelist introduces themselves, shares what they do, what’s working, what needs improvement, and wherever possible, how everyday people can get involved
- A moderated Q&A where every participant has the opportunity to ask one question directly to the panel
The Q&A is the heart of Citizens Academy! It is structured and moderated to make sure every voice in the room gets a turn. Follow-up questions and open-ended discussion can happen after the session, and panelist contact information is shared so you can continue those conversations directly.
Citizens Academy Fall 2026
Program Topics
Ten topics. One county. All of it affects your life whether you’re paying attention or not.
Local History | Land Use & Transportation | Economic Vitality | Environmental Stewardship | Health & Human Services | Law Enforcement | Emergency Management | Local Education | Government Budget & Finance
Fall 2026 Program | August 26 – November 4, 2026
Here’s what you need to know before you apply. Click each drop down for details.
Program Requirements
- Open to anyone who lives and/or works in Onondaga County, age 18 and above.
- Cohort size is limited to 35 participants per season.
- Tuition is $150. Limited needs-based scholarships of $25 to $75 are available. Scholarships are not guaranteed.
- Sessions are in-person, except for the mandatory welcome session, which is virtual. The following sessions will be offered in-person only.
Session Dates
Participants commit to attending a minimum of eight sessions. Tour attendance is optional.
Welcome Session: Wednesday, August 26, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm<- Attendance Required For Graduation
Wednesday, September 2, 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Wednesday, September 9, 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Wednesday, September 16, 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Wednesday, September 23, 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Wednesday, September 30, 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Wednesday, October 7, *5:00* pm to 8 pm
Wednesday, October 14, 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Wednesday, October 21, 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Wednesday, October 28, 5:30 pm to 8 pm
(Graduation will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 5:00 pm to 8 pm)
Attendance & Graduation
Showing up matters more than you think! That’s what Citizens Academy is all about!
Citizens Academy receives 70 or more applications every season. With only 35 seats available per cohort, every spot is intentional.
- That means your attendance matters! Each session depends on the presence, questions, and energy of everyone in the room. Panelists, venue partners, volunteers, and staff invest significant time to make this experience worthwhile, and participants are a bigger part of that equation than they often realize!
- We ask you to commit to attending a minimum of 8 sessions.
- That said, life is complicated. If you have rotating shifts, on-call responsibilities, caregiving obligations, or any other scheduling concern, tell us in your application! We review every application individually and want to understand your full situation before making a decision.
- This policy exists to protect the experience for everyone involved, including you.
Participants commit to attending a minimum of eight sessions. Tour attendance is optional.
Distinguished Graduates attend a minimum of nine sessions and receive:
- A Distinguished Graduate badge on their graduation certificate
- Special acknowledgment during the graduation ceremony
- Eligibility to be chosen, by staff, as the Distinguished Student Speaker for the graduation ceremony
Graduates attend a minimum of eight sessions and receive:
- Graduation certificate
- Recognition during the graduation ceremony
Sessions & Venues
- Sessions are held at government and community venues across Onondaga County, each located along the bus route.
- A light meal is provided for each session.
- Venues have included: National Grid, Syracuse Northeast Community Center, Onondaga County Emergency Management Center, and more!
Tours
- Select sessions include an optional behind-the-scenes tour starting as early as 4:00 pm.
- Past tour locations have included Onondaga County Justice Center, Syracuse Community Health, Onondaga Community College, and Syracuse City Hall.
- Tours are not guaranteed and are subject to venue availability, weather, and scheduling limitations. There are no refunds for tour availability.
After You Graduate
Graduation Is Just the Beginning!
Every Citizens Academy graduate joins a network of 700+ everyday people across Onondaga County who decided to get involved. What they’ve done with it runs the full spectrum!
Citizens Academy graduates have gone on to become:
- State senators, common councilors, and mayors
- Volunteer firefighters and emergency responders
- Media professionals covering this community with deeper context and sharper questions
- Respected advocates fighting for the issues that matter most to their neighborhoods
- More informed voters who actually understand what’s on the ballot and why it matters
- People who recycle correctly and know exactly who to call when something in their community doesn’t feel right
There is no single way to use what you learn here. Citizens Academy just makes sure you’re ready to use it.
When graduation day comes, it doesn’t have to end there! The Citizens Academy Alumni Network keeps graduates connected through programs and events designed to keep you informed, involved, and engaged long after the final session!
Hear From Our Graduates
Meet the People Who Work In Your Community, For Your Community
