Applications Now Open for Next Class (January 16 - February 20, 2025)!

Click here to apply. Aplicación también disponible en español aquí.

 
LEAD Goleta is an award-winning free, interactive, and eye-opening six-week program designed to help community members better understand the role that local government plays so that they can effectively participate, share that knowledge with others and possibly even consider a future role in city governance. LEAD stands for Learn, Empower, Advocate and Discuss.

The next LEAD Goleta Academy begins on January 16, 2025, and takes place Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. for six consecutive weeks. You must be able to attend all six classes to participate. The course ends on February 20, 2025, with a celebratory graduation ceremony. 

Each class is interactive and features different key City departments giving a behind the scenes view of how the City of Goleta is run. Attendees will learn everything from how roads are maintained to what goes in to creating the City’s budget. Throughout the program, participants will be exposed to the role of local government.

You can also watch this video recap of the January/February 2024 LEAD Goleta Bilingual Academy and learn first-hand why this program is so special.