KINGMAN – The City of Kingman proudly recognized the graduates of the 2024 Citizens Academy at last night’s City Council meeting. Vice Mayor Sammeli and the entire City Council extended their heartfelt congratulations to the participants, celebrating their achievement and dedication to civic engagement. This year’s graduates include: Donna Albright, Mark Berry, Ellen Hart-Berry, Don Bischoff, Dana Boe, Teresa Boegler, Pamela Burgett, Jim Dykens, Dennis German, Melissa Holloway, James Jones, Richard Lacombe, Diana Lalitsasivimol, Nancy McBride, Chris Parks, and Anthony Santarelli. Since the inception of the Academy in 2022, it has seen 56 graduates complete the program.
Don Bischoff, a former Captain of the Mohave County Detention Center and current Program Manager for the county’s Jail Re-Entry Program, shared his experience with the program. “I was initially reluctant to apply for the academy, thinking that I likely already knew most everything there was to know about the City of Kingman operations,” he remarked. “I was surprised each week when visiting the various City departments and divisions and I learned a great deal.”
The Citizens Academy is a free program designed to provide Kingman residents with a behind-the-scenes look at how their city operates. Through interactive presentations, tours, and discussions, participants gain a deeper understanding of the city’s essential functions, from building roads and parks to maintaining public safety, managing daily operations, and planning for future growth. Spanning seven weeks, the program is open to residents aged 18 and older who are interested in civic education and engagement.
“As a graduate of the Citizens Academy, I gained a whole new perspective on how our city operates,” said Vice Mayor Sammeli, a former graduate of the academy. “The program opened my eyes to the hard work and dedication of city staff, and it gave me the tools and knowledge to become more engaged in the community.”
The next Citizens Academy is anticipated to take place in the Spring of 2025. For more information, visit: https://www.cityofkingman.gov/government/citizens-academy.
