Rowan County recognized the second graduating class of the Rowan County Civic Leadership Academy at the Board of Commissioners meeting on February 16, 2026. The eight-week program aimed to give participants a closer look at how county government operates, including exposure to various departments and decision-making processes.
During the academy, participants visited different county departments and interacted with staff and leadership. They learned about how county government functions as a system and how services are delivered to residents. At the graduation event, each participant shared an insight from their experience. Some spoke about their appreciation for the dedication of county employees, while others mentioned gaining a better understanding of budgeting challenges and resource allocation. Several noted that the budget simulation was particularly informative in showing how difficult it can be to balance priorities and meet community needs.
Participants also reflected on how decisions made by the county often have wide-ranging effects across multiple services. Rowan County officials congratulated the graduates for their involvement in local government and thanked staff members who contributed to making the Civic Leadership Academy possible.
The graduation comes at a time when education readiness remains a focus in Rowan County schools. In the 2022-23 school year, only 12.3% of senior students taking the science portion of the ACT were considered ready for college, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. For juniors, that figure was 10.1%. In reading, 22.6% of seniors met college readiness benchmarks, while among juniors it was 18.3%. Math readiness rates were lower: just 8.5% for seniors and 6.9% for juniors.
Rowan County leaders expressed hope that programs like the Civic Leadership Academy will encourage more community engagement and leadership among residents.
