Raleigh Neighborhood College

Raleigh Neighborhood College just reaffirmed that everybody's opinion matters. We should take an active role in how the City is shaped and making it a city that is comfortable as well as prosperous now and in the future. We each have a hand in that.
Charles Haywood, Employee of the N.C. Justice Department

Benefits

Raleigh Neighborhood College (RNC) offers participants the tools to become actively involved in neighborhood and community organizations. Many graduates serve as a resource for their neighbors or go on to become leaders in local neighborhood organizations.

Students meet Raleigh and Wake County staffers who provide an inside look at the services and programs offered by the City of Raleigh and Wake County.

Requirements

attendance and participation
attend an in-person or virtual board, commission or committee meeting and provide a video, audio or written report
complete a community project proposal

NOTE: Childcare provided through PRCR if requested. Course participants must be at least 17 years-old/high school junior.

It connected me personally more to the City. I feel that I not only know more about the workings of the City but I feel more a part of it because of the experience.
Clodah Bastian, Executive Director of International Focus

Register

Classes will take place from March - May. The course is offered on Thursdays with two session options to choose from: Virtual Thursday, 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon (depending on demand); and in-person, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Graduation takes place at the end of the last class.

Class Topics:

Introduction to Local Government City and County
Budget Management / Finance
Solid Waste Services / Raleigh Water / Stormwater
Planning and Development / Transportation
Emergency Communication Center / Information Technology
Raleigh Police (TOUR INCLUDED)
Raleigh Fire (TOUR INCLUDED)
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources / Sustainability
Community Development / Code Enforcement
Strategy and Innovation / Communications
Social Economic Advancement / Community Engagement

Applications for Spring 2026 open in November 2025

Congratulations to our Spring 2025 Graduates!

Fleda Anderson
Veronica Bitting
Scott Cappelluti
Keo Corak
Mario Covarrubias
Audreyanne Delgado
Danna Donachie
Lo Etheridge
Catherine George
Gregory Gideon
Justin Grant
Will Hale
Nora Herrera
Paul Jones
Neosha Jones
Alex Kotlyanskiy
Kathleen Liebowitz
Nadia Moreta
Amiee Nwabuike
Terry Rafalik
Allie Remhof
Jennifer Reid Suchanec
Grace Ricks
Pascalie Seme
Leigh-Anne Spokane
Andrew Thorp
Kim Underwood
CarlyAnn Underwood
Brian Wilhelm

As a new resident, it was a great program to immerse myself in the City and really learn the basic nuts-and-bolts things that you would pick up in a lifetime of living somewhere. It helped me cement a permanent connection.
Jeff Murison, Executive Director of the Hillsborough Street Community Service Corp