Beaufort County Citizens Academy

The Beaufort County Citizens Academy is an 11-week program designed to share information about county operations with local residents, thereby increasing their capacity to participate in local government. Sessions include presentations from department heads as well as site visits to the water treatment plant, Cooperative Extension, and Sheriff's office. Participants will be selected based on the strength of their application, their potential for civic leadership, and the diversity of applicants.

The Beaufort County Citizens Academy aims to:  

• Inform citizens about county operations and opportunities for engagement.
• Invest in a diverse body of citizens interested in future public service.
• Identify further opportunities for transparency and effective communication by county departments.
• Learn from citizens in the citizen academy. 

All applicants must: 

• Attend Session 1 (Orientation) and 8 out of 11 sessions.
• Attend at least one Board of Commissioners meeting during the course of the program.

Application information:

• Click here to access the online application form for Beaufort County Citizens Academy
• Program Dates: January 26 - April 6, 2026
• Location: Beaufort County Commissioners Meeting Room 
• Application Deadline: January 2, 2026
• Notice of Acceptance: January 9, 2026
• Participation Fee: $50, payable upon acceptance. Fee waivers are available for applicants with financial need. Please reach out to Keegan Huynh (keegan.huynh@beaufortcountync.gov) to discuss a waiver. 

Contact information: 

Please feel free to reach out to us with questions about the program or application process. 

• Keegan Huynh - Strategic Project Coordinator
  • keegan.huynh@beaufortcountync.gov
• Brandon Tester - Communications Director 
  • brandon.tester@beaufortcountync.gov