County Government Academy

The County Government Academy is designed to educate, inform and engage citizens about the many services and programs Orange County Government provides its residents. The eight-session course is open to all county residents aged 16 and older and meets on Tuesday nights in the winter/spring. Classes will be held first and third Tuesdays of each month, beginning at 6 p.m. Full schedule will be posted when it is finalized.

Sign up now for 2020 Class

The 2020 County Government Academy will begin Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. Class size is limited to 30 participants and will be filled first-come, first-served. Fill out our online form to reserve your spot.

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About the Academy

Faculty from the School of Government at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill will teach classes on the roles of counties in the intergovernmental system. Orange County staff will discuss the services provided by their departments.

Sessions

Most sessions are held at the Durham County Technical College Hillsborough Campus. Some nights will feature tours of county facilities like the Orange County Animal Shelter and the 911 Communications Center.

Each series of classes will also include an interactive exercise on developing a county budget that puts participants in the roles of county commissioners.

View the tentative spring 2020 schedule and curriculum.

County departments represented

Staff from the following departments will present and answer questions
  • Aging
  • Animal Services
  • Arts Commission
  • Board of Elections
  • DEAPR
  • Emergency Services
  • Health
  • Partnership to End Homelessness
  • Register of Deeds
  • Social Services
  • Solid Waste