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07/03/2025 8:04 am

Citizens Leadership Academy

Updated: Jul 3, 2025

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Program Details Benefits Who May Attend Register
CLA Class Spring 2024 Group Photo

Citizens Leadership Academy is a series of classes offered each spring and fall to help you develop your skills as a neighborhood or community leader. 

Program Details

Each session consists of eight classes followed by a graduation ceremony. There are three modules: Leadership Developing Skill Building, Communication Dynamics, and Asset Based Community Development.

ModuleTopic(s)
Leadership Development Skill BuildingLeading the Way & Leading from the Middle
Understanding Group Dynamics
Becoming a Good Presenter
Communication DynamicsDefining Your Personal Leadership Style
Understanding Communication Styles
Group Facilitation & Conflict Resolution
Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)Principles of ABCD & Asset Mapping
 Mobilizing Groups to Act & Leading by Stepping Back

The session ends with each student presenting on a project they can take back to their neighborhood or community. 

Benefits

Many graduates of the Citizens Leadership Academy go on to leadership roles in neighborhood organizations and serve on City of Raleigh boards and commissions. 

“Although the overall concept of the Citizens Leadership Academy program is based on Community Development, I strongly encourage anyone interested in leadership skills to take this course. These are skills that you can take back to your workplace, community, neighborhood, even use in your personal life. If you are thinking of becoming involved in community service in any way, [then] CLA IS a must!” - Clara Davis 

Who May Attend

Citizens Leadership Academy is free of charge for residents of the City of Raleigh and its area of extraterritorial jurisdiction. The program is not open to residents outside of the City of Raleigh. 

  

Class size is limited to 30 to encourage participants to interact with each other and with instructors. 

Register

Apply now for the Fall 2025 Session now through Aug. 29. 

CLA Fall 2025 Application 

Resources

 

CLA Program Application

Raleigh Neighborhood College

Contact

 

Grady Bussey
Community Relations Analyst
grady.bussey@raleighnc.gov
919-996-5707 

Michelle Vacchio 
Community Relations Analyst
michelle.vacchio@raleighnc.gov
919-996-5711

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