Engage in Civic Leadership: Sunny Isles Beach Residents' Academy

Published on January 30, 2025

By Jeniffer Viscarra, Commissioner

I am happy to announce that the SIB Residents’ Academy is back! Over the course of seven weekly sessions, starting on Tuesday, February 4, and running through March 18, participants will interact with our guest speakers and learn about the city’s different departments, operations, elections, and more.

The presentations are interactive and designed to improve participants’ civic engagement and connection to local government. To keep it fun, we will even include a little friendly competition. The program is free, and if you can make the time commitment, I encourage you to join. So far, we’ve had a lot of fun!

With the input of students, guest speakers, and Department Heads, the Academy's content continues to improve. This year's syllabus features FIU's Maurice A. Ferre Institute for Civic Leadership, which is our first-ever out-of-city guest speaker.

Furthermore, in the interest of broader inclusion, we are opening spots for high school students who are at least 17 years old. While I welcome our high schoolers to join for the sheer joy of learning, successful completion of the program can also earn them some community service hours.

Participating in the Residents’ Academy is an opportunity for civically inclined locals to work and grow together, and perhaps make new friends. That has certainly been the case in previous sessions. In addition, successful participation in the Academy will help foster an environment of civic engagement and service in the community. Ideally, it will allow for informed and productive conversations that can adequately address residents’ concerns beyond the classroom. I hope to see you in attendance!

Contact Commissioner Jeniffer Viscarra at seat4@sibfl.net or 305.792.1750.