The Fountain Hills Leadership Academy (FHLA) is now accepting applicants for its 2024 class.

This comprehensive experience is a community program offered through the non-profit I Love Fountain Hills and is designed to develop better-informed citizens, according to a press release from Class VII graduate, Frank Colella.

 The eight-week course is an immersion into the town’s governmental processes, civic and community services, public safety and environmental management.

Approximately 15 people will be selected for the FHLA Class VIII, which will run from mid-September through mid-November, Colella said.

The course kicks off with a brief orientation and reception in the days before the first day of class and ends with a graduation ceremony after the completion of the last session.

Classes will take place on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Along the way, participants will meet community leaders and share ideas about the future of Fountain Hills, Colella said in the press release, adding that class participation fee is $250 per student and students must commit to help plan the following year’s program.

The general sessions include Know Your Town Government, Nonprofits/Business Development, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Fountain Hills Unified School District, Environmental Stewardship/Community Services, Public Safety, Sanitary District/Fountain Park and I Love Fountain Hills.

Larry Cole, a Class III alumnus and member of the FHLA Board, noted, “This program is designed to give class participants a front-row seat into the many facets that make up our community. At the same time, it challenges participants to bring forth their leadership skills to help improve our community.

“Participants will also work to develop projects that may eventually be implemented in the community.” Past classes have created initiatives such as the AED Project, the Fountain Hills Wellness Fair and the Young Minds Initiative, just to name a few, Colella said.

The FHLA has now graduated over 100 participants, Colella added, many of whom have assumed leadership roles in town government, volunteer organizations and various businesses.

This year’s committee is made up of class alumni under the leadership of Larry Cole, Steve Bolton, Frank Colella and Will Hurst.

Residents of Fountain Hills and surrounding communities who have an interest in learning more about their town and getting involved are invited to apply for this extensive leadership information program at ilovefountainhills.org/leadership-academy.

Local businesses are asked to become sponsors at a cost of $250. Sponsors can choose to be included in one of the class days, get to know the participants and share information about their business.