The application period for the 2027 cohort of the Washoe County Leadership Academy will be open from September 21 - October 9, 2026. The program will run from January until June 2027.
What is the Washoe County Leadership Academy?
Now in its fifth year, the Washoe County Leadership Academy, or WCLA, is a 6-month educational and leadership program unlike any other, promoting knowledge of local government and providing training to hone leadership skills in conjunction with the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Cooperative Extension.
One full Friday per month from January until June 2027, participants of the WCLA will be exposed to various aspects of Washoe County services, from the Sheriff's Office to Libraries, and just about everything in-between. Learn what makes Washoe County unique with a visit to charming Gerlach and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum and Visitor Center, and see how Washoe County is leading the way to better outcomes with investments into wraparound homeless and behavioral health services, plus much more. This program sheds light on the inner workings of local government and provides insight on how to get more involved in your community. Best of all, forge friendships, make memories, and learn skills that will last a lifetime!
Approximately 25 individuals from across the county will be selected to participate.
What's included?
- Six jam-packed days of learning, connecting, and growing, including learning about your own strengths, team building with your classmates, and behind-the-scenes tours and special activities.
- A one-on-one CliftonStrengths assessment and coaching session with a Gallup-Certfied Strengths Coach, to gain insight into yourself through this strengths-based development tool.
- A custom WCLA jacket.
What does the program cost?
The program is completely free to selected participants.
Why Participate?
- Get a close-up look at how local county government works, better understand the breadth of services available to residents, and how the county impacts your everyday life.
- Grow your network to benefit yourself and your organization as it spans across the professional spectrum to gain new business and community contacts.
- Walk away with increased knowledge of the community and how to engage with local government, plus gain new contacts!
Application Information
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Each WCLA day occurs on a Friday during traditional work hours. Please be aware that you will be absent from work on each of these days prior to accepting a slot in the Academy.
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Activities may include walking on uneven surfaces, standing, and sitting, and require the stamina to complete a full 9-hour day, with lessons taking place both indoors and outdoors.
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Regular interaction with your cohort partners and Washoe County staff is expected. Being inquisitive is a plus!
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Ensure you can commit to attending the WCLA sessions by reviewing the dates outlined.
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Applicants should not expect the opportunity to promote services to their classmates, promote personal opinions about policies, or promote themselves for the purposes of political or personal gain. Due to the nonpartisan aspect of this program, active candidates for elected positions or sitting elected officials will not be accepted.
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WCLA is geared toward non-employee residents; Washoe County employees are not eligible to apply.
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Applicants must reside in Washoe County to be considered.
2027 Dates and Themes:
Before diving into Washoe County, participants will have the opportunity to get to know the people they will be spending the next several months with. This mandatory Friday afternoon kickoff will feature CliftonStrengths, speed networking, and opportunities to explore leadership in action. The goal is simple: build connections, learn more about individual strengths and leadership styles, and set the tone for a collaborative and engaging Academy experience. Participants are also invited to continue the fun with an optional post-event gathering.
Welcome to Washoe County 101! Participants will begin the day with County leadership and an introduction to the purpose of the Leadership Academy before diving into the broader context of local government and how Washoe County fits into the regional picture. From there, the class will hit the road for a visit to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum & Visitor Center, followed by a journey into rural Washoe County and Gerlach. Along the way, participants will learn about the history, culture, sustainability efforts and unique challenges of communities outside the urban core.
From womb to tomb — and nearly everything in between — Washoe County is there. This day explores the many ways County government intersects with residents throughout their lives, from vital records and marriage licenses to elections, property assessment, taxation, senior services and more. Participants will meet the people behind these essential services and gain a better understanding of how seemingly separate County departments work together to support residents at every stage of life. The day will also include an unforgettable look at the work of the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office and the important role it plays in serving families and the broader community.
What does it take to build, maintain and serve a growing community? Participants will get an inside look at development and public services through the our COmmunity Services Department, including an exploration of the development process, property and developers’ rights, and an interactive mock-meeting experience. The day will then move from planning to operations with visits to the South Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility and the Washoe County Library System. Along the way, participants will see firsthand how County employees balance regulations, infrastructure, growth and community needs while keeping Washoe County moving forward.
Somebody call 9-1-1! This immersive day will take participants behind the scenes of Washoe County’s public safety and justice operations, including Emergency Management, the Courts, and the Sheriff’s Office. Participants will receive an overview of each agency’s day-to-day responsibilities, how their work connects across the County, and what changes when an emergency or major incident occurs. Stops may include the Washoe County Detention Facility, the 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center, Regional Emergency Operations Center training grounds, and District Court. The day may also include an interactive emergency tabletop exercise, personal preparedness information, and a look at how Washoe County communicates with residents before, during, and after a crisis.
For the final Academy day, participants will explore some of Washoe County’s most human-centered services and the people behind them. The day will begin with an overview of the Human Services Agency before visiting programs and facilities that support some of the community’s most vulnerable residents, including the Nevada Cares Campus and Men’s CrossRoads. Participants will also visit Washoe County Regional Animal Services to learn how the County protects and cares for animals throughout the community. The Academy experience will conclude with an evening graduation ceremony where participants may invite a plus-one to celebrate the completion of their Leadership Academy journey.