City Leaders Academy

Developing Columbus’ Leaders of Tomorrow

Are you ready to help lead Columbus into the future? Join the City Leaders Academy—an immersive program designed to empower Columbus youth with the skills, knowledge and confidence to create meaningful change in their communities. Through hands-on activities and engaging lessons, students learn how to harness their voices, develop leadership skills and lead for the public good. Participants explore what effective leadership looks like, how leaders succeed and why strong leadership matters. The City Leaders Academy serves students in grades 6–10.

Core Values:

  • Leadership
  • Growth Mindset
  • Collaboration
  • Problem Solving
  • Service

Contacts

Christophe McGhee, Program Director  |  CBMcGhee@columbus.gov  |  614-949-3647

Nick Evans, Assistant Program Director  |  NSEvans@columbus.gov  |  614-616-0081

2025-2026 Program Year

Applications

Applications will be accepted beginning May 1, 2025, and are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2026.

Preferably, applications should be emailed to CBMcGhee@columbus.gov. If you’re not able to email, you can drop off your application materials at Blackburn Community Center during business hours (263 Carpenter St., 43205).

All applications should include:

New applicants: 

  • A completed application (will be updated by May 1, 2026)
  • A final copy of the previous academic year’s report card
  • A letter from a teacher, administrator or community leader

Applicants will have an interview with the program directors.

Returning participants:

  • Updated information and signature forms are required; no essays 0r letter of recommendation are necessary

Returning participants must complete a pre-program interview with the program directors.

Eligibility

All participants: 

  • Must be a City of Columbus resident (If you are currently receiving City of Columbus trash and recycling services, you are eligible)
  • Must be entering grades 6–10 in Fall 2026
  • Must maintain a GPA of 2.8

Returning participants:

  • Must demonstrate engagement and growth in past sessions

Schedule

Participation is key to a successful experience! The orientation session is mandatory for both guardians and participants. A student may have no more than three unexcused absences during school-year meet-ups.

Check your calendar before applying!

  • July 1, 2026: Application Deadline
  • July 10 or July 17, 2026: Interview Days (each applicant should attend one day)
  • July 24, 2026: Guardians/Youth Notified of Application Decision
  • Sept. 19, 2026, at 10 a.m.: Mandatory Guardian/Youth In-person Orientation
  • Monthly Academy Meet Ups
    • Oct.  3, 2026
    • Oct. 17, 2026
    • Nov. 7, 2026
    • Nov. 21, 2026
    • Dec. 5, 2026
    • Jan. 16, 2027
    • Feb. 6, 2027
    • Feb. 20, 2027
    • Mar. 6, 2027
    • April 3, 2027
    • April 17, 2027
    • May 1, 2027
  • May 15, 2027: End of Year Ceremony

*Dates and times are subject to change

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