The City of Paducah is accepting applications for the Paducah Citizens’ Academy, Your Passport to City Government. The Academy offers participants an in-depth look at how local government works through an interactive program held Thursday evenings beginning April 2. The program is a mixture of classroom instruction, hands-on activities, site visits, and tours.
Apply for Paducah Citizens' Academy
The Academy is free to participants; however, class size is limited. Individuals ages 16 and older who live, work, or attend school in Paducah-McCracken County are encouraged to apply. Registration is available through March 16 at Paducah Citizens' Academy.
“The Paducah Citizens’ Academy gives residents a behind-the-scenes look at how city government works,” said City Manager Daron Jordan. “Through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations, the Academy strengthens connections between citizens and those who serve them. Our goal is for every graduate to leave informed, inspired, and ready to share their knowledge with others. Local government can seem complex, but this program provides information on city government processes and highlights the important work—and real impact—city services and projects have on our community.”
The Paducah Citizens’ Academy will be held Thursdays, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., April 2 through June 4. There will not be a class on April 9 due to Spring Break. A graduation ceremony will be at the June 9 meeting of the Paducah Board of Commissioners with a reception before the meeting.
City Clerk and Director of Customer Experience Lindsay Parish coordinates the Academy along with Senior Customer Experience Representative Cathy Bryant-Quimby. Parish said, “The Citizens’ Academy is truly a win–win experience. For community members, it offers a unique, behind-the-scenes look at how local government operates while creating meaningful connections with City staff. For staff, it provides invaluable insight through open dialogue and firsthand community perspectives. In the end, it’s a dynamic, educational exchange that benefits and strengthens everyone involved.”
Academy topics include the following:
- City Government 101 (Administration, City Clerk, Customer Experience, Grants, and Communications)
- Serving with Pride (Police Department and E911)
- Internal Services (Technology and Human Resources departments)
- Dollars and Sensibility (Finance Department)
- Always Something to Do (Parks & Recreation Department)
- Streets, Streams, and Strategies (Engineering Department)
- Basic Necessities (Public Works Department)
- Keeping You Safe (Fire Department)
- Building for Tomorrow (Planning Department)
If you have a question about the Paducah Citizens’ Academy, contact Bryant-Quimby or 270-444-8800.
The Paducah Citizens’ Academy is similar to the highly successful Citizens’ Police Academy offered through the Paducah Police Department.
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