Bismarck, N.D. – The City of Bismarck announced the completion of its 2026 Citizen Academy, with participants recognized during a ceremony held at a recent City Commission meeting.
The Citizen Academy is a 12-week program designed to provide residents, business owners, and students with a deeper understanding of how city government operates. The program offers a behind-the-scenes look at municipal services, focusing on knowledge, engagement, transparency, and communication.
This year’s class included 20 participants who explored the inner workings of 17 city departments. The program also featured tours of various municipal facilities and opportunities to engage directly with city leaders, including the mayor, city commissioners, department directors, and staff.
Officials said the program aims to help participants better understand the scope of services provided to nearly 75,000 residents and more than 5,000 businesses in the community.
In addition to education, the academy encourages civic involvement by introducing participants to advisory boards, commissions, and other opportunities within local government.
City leaders said the program supports broader goals of strengthening communication and relationships with the community while promoting transparency in government operations.
The Citizen Academy is part of the city’s strategic focus on government excellence and is considered a unique initiative in North Dakota aimed at building public trust and encouraging long-term civic engagement.
