New American Leadership Academy

Certificate being presented to NALA participant at the 2025 Nala Closing Ceremony

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

Knowledge gained from the program will equip participants with the skills needed to empower their communities in a culturally appropriate manner. The program includes:

Lectures and presentations on local government, public policy, and neighborhood and community leadership
Completion of a service project that reflects the skills learned in the program
Engagement with community and government leaders

By the end of the program, participants will have the skills necessary to navigate local governments and, in turn, help not only themselves and their professional development but, empower their communities to do the same. The academy is open to all qualified applicants 18 years or older with a high school diploma or equivalent.

NALA Application

The application for the 2027 New American Leadership Academy (NALA) cohort is open Oct. 2, 2026, through Nov. 13, 2026.

NALA is an opportunity for New American professionals to foster their personal development by building knowledge in civic engagement and discovering new ways to contribute to their respective communities and the Columbus community at large. Academy participants receive mentorship and professional development on topics including government, civic engagement, strategic collaborations, implicit bias, public speaking, and conflict resolution and management.

The bimonthly sessions will begin in March 2027 and conclude in November 2027.

Remember: Application deadline is Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. To apply starting Sunday, Oct. 2, please click here .

For more information, please visit www.columbus.gov/NALA.

Program Calendar 2027

New American Leadership Academy
Description	Program Agenda	Date, Time, & Location
Welcome Reception	Meet and greet, welcome reception	Feb. 24, 2027 5:00pm - 6:30pm* 111 N. Front Street Columbus, Ohio 43215
Full Opening Retreat	Interactive facilitated team building activities and presentations	March 5, 2027 8:30am - 4:00pm* 1111 E. Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43205 (Continental Room)
City Government Session	City Government Session, roles and responsibilities, and ways to make effective changes	March 24, 2027 5:00pm - 7:00pm 1410 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211
Group Service Project Planning Session	Facilitated introductory to service project and discussion on project themes	April 7, 2027 5:00pm - 7:00pm 1410 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211
Strategic Collaborations & Partnerships	Facilitated sessions on building cross cultural connections, partnerships, & network	April 21, 2027 5:00pm - 7:00pm 1410 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211
Civic Engagement Session I.	Facilitated panel on Neighborhoods	May 12, 2027 5:00pm - 7:30pm* 141 N. Front St. (Lower Level) Columbus, Ohio 43205
Group Service Project Planning Session	Project activities and assignments	July 28, 2027 5:00pm - 7:00pm 1410 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211
Conflict Resolution & Management	Interactive facilitated activities and presentation	June 10, 2027 5:00pm - 7:00pm 1410 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211
Group Service Project Planning Session	Service Project assignments & implementation planning	July 28, 2027 5:00pm - 7:00pm 1410 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211
Community Engagement Session	Activities in the community in support of Neighborhood safety awareness	Aug. 3, 2027 5:00pm - 8:00pm* Locations TBD
Group Service Project Planning Session	Service Project Presentation planning	Aug. 11, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm 1410 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211
Civic Engagement Session II.	Facilitated Panel featuring Safety, Area Commissions, & Civic Association	Aug. 25, 2027 5:00pm - 7:30pm* 1111 E. Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43205
Communications & Public Speaking	Public Speaking Strategies presentation	Sept. 8, 2027 5:00pm - 7:00pm 1410 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211
Navigating City Business Services	Interactive Panel presentation featuring MBE, WBE, & Certifications	Sept. 22, 2027 5:00pm - 7:00pm 1410 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211
Social & Emotional Intelligence	Interactive presentation	Oct. 6, 2027 5:00pm - 7:00pm 1410 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211
Group Service Project Presentation	Group Service Project Presentation	Oct. 27, 2027 5:00pm - 7:30pm* 1111 E. Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43205
Closing Ceremony	NALA 2026 Cohort Closing Ceremony	Nov. 3, 2027 5:00pm - 7:00pm 111 N. Front Street Columbus, Ohio 43215

Alumni

2025

Ahmed Al Haek
Anna-Maria Temu
Anoj Sharma
Ayub Awnuh
Carlos Rivera
Ernest Nfor
Esaam Quazi
Fatimata Athie
Fevean Keflom
Fady Isleem
Guerling (Gigi) Saint-Louis
Hamida Ouali
Irfan Ali Shah
Kyle Tom
Mahamadou Toure
Maima Kamara
Moussa Sy
Nkongho Akem
Sunday Justin Nzitatira
Tavan Abdullah
Tilahun Tesfaye
Tosan Otokuefor
Vadym Tsybulia

2024

George Achempim
Rene Olate Alveal
Sahro Amin
Prince Bansu
Nabil Boutaybi
Lizzie Bronte
Sonje Calamese
Faiza Cheema
Assitan Cisse
Sherrie Johnson-Dantzler
Oleh Fedorov
Smith Francois
Nafiso Jamale
Fatima Kane
Roman Lema
Katherine Lopez
Faridullah Ludin
Jon Siason
Dean Smith
Edward Sumaila
Jill Sutliff
Suban Warsame

2023

Taiwo Akinlami
O. Daniel Ayayi
Eternity Ballour
Nene Diallo
Maryan Dualle
Sophia DuGue
Isaac Fameyeh
Hassiba Makour
Perla Martinez
Sudi Mohamud
Dolly Munlemvo
Uwitonda Ndikumana
Patrick OsBourne
Hari Pyakurel
Rasheed Rasheed
Demsas Reddae
Joseph Sawo
Lal Agha Shafiq
Zeenath Sheikh

2022

Adebayo, Elizabeth
Adekanbi, Olumbunmi
Amaya, Darsy
Bhattarai, Yadu
Burden, Barbara
Chaudhri, Taimur
Cornejo, Diego
Dahal, Mukti
Duale, Hanad
Fequiere, Marc
Fiqi, Ramla
Harris, F. Bernard
Pruitt, Tanisha
Quartey, Patricia
Sheikh, Kaltuma
Wise, Rukeyah

2021

Addo, Shukri
Anderson, Murphy
Azaryan, Diana
Brown, Sarah
Castellar, Mabel
Diawara, Lindora
Diaz, Alma Rose
Nepal, Parshu
Olaoye, Bukola
Osman, Nimo
Oyola, Daisy
Shide, Hassan
Tessema, Erusalem
Vangehn, Darlington W.

2020

Abrokwa-Clottey, Alex-Eric
Begly, Gilda
Cole - Kenneh, Comfort
Cooper, Winston
Fitamo, Frehiwo
Freytes, Odaliz
Gauoa, Zoubir
Hubbard, Graham
Kamara, Mustapha
Kiluwasha, Mhilu
Manirakiza, Clarissa
Naranjo, Franchesca
Nwaogu, Chioma
Nydegger, Kathryn
Oblitey, James
Oladejo-Lawal, Olufunmilayo
Shepkong, Bartholomew

Fall 2019

Acharya, Keshab
Adhikari, Nirmala
Ali, Dahir
Ansah-Koi, Alice
Berhane, Beserat
Blanco Torres, Adriana
Carmona, Zardania
Dahir, Sahra
Ease, Waleed
Flores, Sheila
Kudel, David
Lomanjo, Pascal
Long, Chansovan
Lyons, Ethan
Mohamud, Sowdo
Abouneama, Ayman
Wallace-Williams, DeAnna

Spring 2019

Ali, Miriam
Al-Shaikhli, Murtadha
Asif, Zoobia
Balazire, Blaise
Bravo, Cesar
Cherinet, Beniam
Ciriello, Alma
Delgado, Lyana
Dismuke, Andrea
Elnour, Awatif
Gautam, Jamuna
Isaak, Nasra
Liban, Anisa
Miyake, Kazuko
Musa, Kawther
Obila, Donald
Pyakurel, Bhuwan
Ramos, Maria
Tongor, Alpha

Fall 2018, Inaugural Cohort

Abdulle, Asha
Acharya, Jhuma
Acharya, Uma
Bah, Amadou
Bangura, Abass
Dhital, Bindiya
Beyene, Rahel
Fuentes, Edith
Beyene, Israel
Garcia, Jatnna
Combs J.r., Antonio
Mello, Carla
Engmann, Cynthia
Santos, Gerald
Floyd, Alexis
Sarkodee, Samuel
Kifuko, Jacqueline
Woldemedhen, Netsanet
Uwadiae, Deba
Wolters, John
Young, Katalin

Contact

Department of Neighborhoods

1410 Cleveland Avenue
Columbus, OH 43211
(614) 645-1993

Monday - Friday: 08:00 AM–05:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed

311 Customer Service Center

(614) 645-3111
Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed

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