The Academy is held in fall. Sessions last two hours, beginning at 6:00pm and ending at 8:00pm. Sessions occasionally run over, participants are encouraged to decide whether they are able to stay for that additional time. One Saturday facilities tour is included. The tour is optional and includes a complimentary lunch.
Applications are available in any city office or online. Simply fill out an application and submit it. Online applications may be submitted electronically. Applicants may also print out an application or pick one up at any city office and submit it by US Mail, fax or in person to the City Manager's Office at:
Due to space restrictions, class size is limited to 25. Valid applications that are received after a class is full will be saved until the next Academy. Applicants who have had applications carried over will be contacted prior to applications becoming available and given the chance to enroll.
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 schedules to be available and participate in this program, in many cases without compensation. If your schedule will not allow you to attend at least 9 of the 12 regular sessions, we would ask that you delay your application to a year which will work better for you.
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.
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 will gain insight into our departments and functions. The City of Harrisonburg encourages all of its citizens to be engaged in the process of government. Oftentimes, the structure of local government is not as clear as we would hope. The Academy offers Harrisonburg residents a chance to take another look at their City.
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.
