New American Leadership Academy

The Purpose of NALA

The New American Leadership Academy (NALA) is a leadership and professional development program focused on civic engagement for New American residents. Participants receive mentorship, professional development and learn about topics such as government, civic responsibility, and implicit bias. The participants are selected based on their demonstrated readiness to grow and enhance their knowledge of civic engagement, community stewardship, leadership, and discover new ways to contribute to our community.

Outcomes

The knowledge and experience gained through the program will equip participants with the skills and confidence to engage with and empower their communities in culturally responsive and meaningful ways.

The program will include:

• Lectures and presentations on local government, public policy, and neighborhood and community leadership.
• A service project that enables participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the program.
• Engagement with community and government leaders, providing participants with opportunities to build relationships, gain insight, and strengthen their civic leadership skills.

By the conclusion of the program, participants will have developed a practical understanding of how to navigate local government and engage effectively in civic and community affairs. These skills will support their personal and professional development while equipping them to share their knowledge, advocate for their communities, and help others become more informed and engaged.

The Academy is open to all qualified applicants who are 18 years of age or older and possess a high school diploma or equivalent.

NALA Application

Applications for the 2027 Cohort now open through Nov. 13, 2026

The City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods is pleased to announce that applications for the 2027 New American Leadership Academy (NALA) cohort will be accepted from through November 13, 2026. To learn more and apply, please click here.

NALA is designed to support New American professionals in strengthening their leadership capacity, expanding their civic knowledge, and discovering meaningful ways to contribute to their communities and to the broader Columbus community.

Through a combination of mentorship, professional development, and experiential learning. Academy participants will explore topics including:

• Government and civic engagement
• Strategic collaboration and community partnerships
• Social and Social Emotional Intelligence
• Public Speaking and Effective Communications
• Conflict resolution and management

The Academy offers participants an opportunity not only to learn, but to connect, lead, and turn knowledge into meaningful community impact.

The 2027 cohort will meet bimonthly -- Wednesdays evening 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. from March through November 2027.

Again, to learn more and apply, please click here.