| For Immediate Release: December 11, 2025
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Orange County Announces
2026 Government Academy |
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Applications are Being Accepted Until Feb. 11, 2026
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Orange County is excited to announce the launch of the 2026 Government Academy, a comprehensive program designed to educate residents about the inner workings of Orange County government.
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The program begins Wednesday, Feb. 25, and concludes with a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, April 21, at the Whitted Human Services Building in Hillsborough.
The 2026 Government Academy offers an eight-session curriculum held mostly on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sessions include
in-person tours of key county facilities. Participants must attend five classes to qualify for graduation. The course is open to all county residents aged 16 and older.
Key Highlights of the 2026 Academy:
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Interactive Learning: Faculty from the UNC School of Government will provide an overview of county government, while Orange County staff will present insights into their departments.
- Exclusive Tours: Participants will explore facilities such as the 911 Call Center, Animal Services, and the new Drakeford Library Complex.
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Graduation Ceremony: The cohort will graduate in person on April 21, followed by recognition at the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting.
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Tentative Schedule Overview:
The academy covers a wide range of topics, including presentations from 19 county departments:
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Wednesday, Feb. 25 – the cohort will get to know each other, set goals for the course, and hear a County Government 101 presentation from the School of Government. Location: TBD
- Wednesday, March 4 – the cohort will meet at the Animal Services facility in Chapel Hill to get a behind the scenes tour and will also get a tour and presentation from the Solid Waste Department. Location: 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill
- Wednesday, March 11 – the cohort will meet with Dept. on Aging staff and get a tour of one of their facilities. They will also hear presentations from Child Support Services and the Tax Department. Location: Seymour Center, 2551 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill
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Wednesday, March 18 – the cohort will get a tour of the Drakeford Library Complex in Carrboro by Orange County Public Library staff. They will also hear presentations by the Economic Development Department and the Housing Department. Location: 203 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro
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Wednesday, March 25 – the cohort will hear from the Sustainability Program, the Criminal Justice Resource Department, the Department of Environment, Parks, and Recreation, and the Planning and Inspections Department. Location: TBD
- Wednesday, April 1 – TBD
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*Thursday, April 9 – the cohort will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the 911 call center and hear presentations from the Emergency Services Department, as well as the Office of Civil Rights and Civic Life and the Health Department. Location: 510 Meadowlands. Road, Hillsborough
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*Tuesday, April 21, the cohort will be joined by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Chair Jean Hamilton for a graduation ceremony. They will hear a presentation from the clerk to the board about volunteer opportunities for Boards and Commissions. At 7 p.m., the cohort will be recognized at the beginning of the BOCC meeting and will have a group photo with the Board. Location: Whitted Human Services Building, 301 Tryon St., Hillsborough
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About Orange County Government Academy
The Government Academy is a dynamic program that fosters community engagement and understanding of county government operations. Participants gain firsthand insights into county departments, engage with county staff, and explore how they can contribute to their community’s growth and well-being.
Applications are open until February 11, 2026.
To learn more about the Government Academy and to apply, visit:
https://orangecountync.gov/OCGA
For questions, contact Wil Glenn at 919-245-2302 or wglenn@orangecountync.gov.
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