On June 2, St. Johns County formally recognized 28 residents who graduated from the Spring 2026 SJC 101 Citizens Academy during a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting in St. Augustine. Now with more than 90 alumni since its launch in 2024, the SJC 101 Citizens Academy is held twice annually—in the spring and fall—and serves as the County’s official civic education program. Designed to provide residents with a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at local government, the program connects participants with more than 30 County departments and all Constitutional Offices, offering direct access to the services, personnel, and operations that support daily life in St. Johns County.
The SJC 101 Citizens Academy provides residents with a unique opportunity to gain a behind-the-scenes understanding of County functions, services, and the people who make local government work. Throughout the program, participants learn about approximately a dozen public service areas and meet the public servants who lead and operate them. By exploring how these departments collaborate to serve the community, participants gain a deeper appreciation for the work that keeps St. Johns County running efficiently. The program also encourages civic engagement by helping residents better understand the structure of local government and where to find answers to questions about County services and operations.
Throughout the 12-week program, participants engage in interactive sessions, facility tours, and hands-on demonstrations across key service areas, including public safety, utilities, growth management, health and human services, public works, and parks and recreation. Sessions are strategically aligned with national observances and seasonal priorities, such as National Public Health Week, National Public Works Week, and hurricane preparedness season, providing timely context and relevance to County operations.
“This is what it’s all about,” Chair Commissioner Clay Murphy said. “We are opening the doors of our government to our citizens in a genuine effort to promote transparency. We want people to see where their tax dollars go and how they’re being used.”
“The one takeaway I want our residents to leave with is a true sense of curiosity,” County Administrator Joy Andrews said. “It’s not necessarily about any specific data point, fact, or statistic. It’s really about your willingness to be part of an authentic dialogue. I think we’ve seen that from every single graduate of this program. We’re building trust one student at a time.”
SJC 101 is designed to strengthen transparency, enhance civic awareness, and encourage community engagement by helping residents better understand how to access services, navigate County resources, and participate in local government. By fostering direct interaction with County staff and leadership, the program equips participants with the knowledge needed to become more informed and engaged members of the community. After completing the program, graduates are encouraged to apply for volunteer opportunities within local government and support community outreach efforts.
The program also directly supports the St. Johns County Strategic Plan by advancing the priorities of Community Trust and Organizational Excellence. By increasing public understanding of County operations and creating meaningful opportunities for engagement, SJC 101 helps build confidence in local government while showcasing the professionalism, innovation, and dedication of County staff.
Residents interested in participating in a future SJC 101 program can learn more and register at www.sjcfl.us/sjc101. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
