The Town of Chapel Hill just completed its first ever People’s Academy, which brought residents together to learn the ins and outs of local government.

The academy was a five-week, 10-class program that, among other things, sought to diversify the voices heard in the town.

“That could be, diversify the voices on our boards and commissions, or it could just be having more people come to our meetings or be leaders in their own communities,” says downtown special projects manager Sarah Poulton. “Our goal was to educate more people, different types of people on the town’s services, our goals, our hopes and dreams – and hopefully they take that information back into their communities.”

Of the 10 classes, five took place in classrooms and the other five consisted of tours of different town facilities and sites, including OWASA, the Police Department and the Fire Department.

The last tour was of the whole town, which included a call to action and an elected official panel.

“Our goal with that was to take people to sites and to things that they may not realize the town had a hand in,” says Poulton. “Everything from public art to the town limits to public housing neighborhoods to our new accessible playground at Cedar Falls Park to the Blue Hill District to the Friday Center – places where we take an active or partnering role.”

The People’s Academy had over 100 applicants, of which over 60 were selected and 40 graduated.

Poulton said the town is already looking towards next year’s People’s Academy, which will likely take place around the same time.

Related Stories
‹
Conversations with the Mayors: Chapel Hill Moves Forward with LUMO Work and New Council Members
The Chapel Hill Town Council held its first meeting of 2024 this week, which also represented the first business meeting with a new council. Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson joined 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey for her weekly “Conversations with the Mayors” segment the following day and shared some highlights from the meeting — and […]
Chapel Hill Peoples Academy To Be Held Virtually in March
Despite pandemic restrictions, the Town of Chapel Hill will be continuing this year with efforts to help connect members of the community with local government. Since 2018, the Chapel Hill Peoples Academy has provided residents and visitors an opportunity to learn about town services and operations, connect with town leadership and staff, discuss issues in […]
Celebration of Independence Day to Alter Local Government Services in Orange County
The celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what typical services will and won’t be happening during the weekend: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 3, as […]
Chapel Hill: Wes McMahon on His First Six Months on Town Council, Anniversary of Chantal Flooding, and July 4th
Chapel Hill Town Council Member Wes McMahon speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Thursday, July 2 as he substitutes for Mayor Jess Anderson.
Our Town: The Story of Transit in Chapel Hill
This month, Keica Hargraves and Emily Powell from Chapel Hill Transit tell the story of Transit in Chapel Hill. 
Juneteenth Holiday to Affect Local Government Services Around Orange County
Across the country on Friday, Black Americans and communities will celebrate Juneteenth — the national recognition of when the final slaves were freed in the 19th century and of African-American culture. As a holiday, government services around the Orange County community will be affected on June 19 and the surrounding days. Here’s what residents can […]
Here Are the Orange County Local Governments’ Approved Budgets, Tax Rates for 2026-27
The final totals and changes for Orange County governments' budgets are being finalized. Here are the details of each approved so far.
Chapel Hill Approves FY27 Budget with No Tax Increases; Will Revisit Library Funding, Greenways in Fall
The unanimous vote approved the Town of Chapel Hill to operate on a $170 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a slight increase.
'Professionals Behind the Wheel': Chapel Hill Transit Competition Challenges and Celebrates Its Operators
Chapel Hill Transit held its annual roadeo competition this past weekend, where operators showed off their skills in a timed obstacle course.
Photo Gallery: Chapel Hill Transit Roadeo 2026 Competition
The Chapel Hill Transit system held its annual Roadeo competition among its bus operators to see who could best navigate an obstacle course.
›