New Resident Academy gives Charleston residents a firsthand look at local government

Charleston, South Carolina – Charleston residents are getting a new chance to see what happens behind the counters, meeting rooms and department doors of City Hall. For the first time, the City is launching a Resident Academy designed to turn everyday questions about local government into firsthand experience.

Rather than simply explaining city operations from a distance, the four-session program will bring participants into City facilities, introduce them directly to staff and leadership, and show how departments handle the services and decisions that shape daily life in Charleston.

Applications are now open for the City of Charleston’s first Resident Academy, an in-person program that will run from August through October 2026. Each session will focus on a different department or service area and will include presentations, tours, demonstrations and opportunities for residents to ask questions directly.

The goal is to give participants a clearer picture of how City government functions, from the way decisions are made to how services reach neighborhoods. Organizers also hope the program will help residents better understand how they can communicate with City departments and advocate effectively for their communities.

“I talk with residents all the time, and I wanted to create a space where they can really dive in, ask questions, and walk away feeling more empowered,” said Becca Hopkins, Neighborhood Services Manager. “That kind of connection between residents and their City is what this is all about.”

The Resident Academy is also intended to strengthen transparency and build closer relationships between neighborhood leaders and City departments. All four sessions will be held in person on the Charleston peninsula.

The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, at 5:30 p.m. The Academy will continue Tuesday, September 1, at 2:30 p.m., followed by a Wednesday, September 23 session at 10:30 a.m. The final meeting will take place Tuesday, October 6, at 2:30 p.m.

Residents considering the program should be prepared to attend the full series. Space is limited, and the City says not every applicant will be selected. Priority will be given to people who can commit to participating in all four sessions.

Applications must be submitted by August 8, 2026. Interested residents can apply through the City’s online form at tinyurl.com/4h9wmjxz.

For those selected, the Academy will offer something residents do not often get from routine public meetings or online information: a structured look inside municipal operations, combined with direct access to the people responsible for carrying them out.