The University of Missouri-St. Louis created the program in 2002 as part of its outreach to the St. Louis community. The program connects resources at the university--the Community Partnership Project, the Nonprofit Management and Leadership Program, and University Extension--to residents and neighborhoods interested in creating more livable communities.

Each year the NLA brings together a diverse group of up to 20 current or potential neighborhood leaders for 10 sessions over a four-month period in a hands-on leadership training program that emphasizes community building principles, organizational leadership and management practices, and personal leadership skills.

Participants are actively involved in their neighborhoods and represent communities from throughout the St. Louis region. Academy participants may be municipal elected officials, neighborhood association members, community-based organization staff, or resident volunteers. Many have never had any formal training for the community work that they are trying to accomplish.

Through the Academy, each participant completes a personal leadership development plan, designs a community-building project for their neighborhood, and makes a presentation about their work to their classmates. Discussion and feedback among participants enrich the learning experience for each participant.

During and after the Academy, participants learn about and pursue community-building resources and relationships for their neighborhoods. The NLA staff provides ongoing technical assistance for community projects and opportunities for continued networking and connecting to resources.

Because of the NLA, neighborhood leaders throughout the St. Louis region are learning the skills and building networks for creating livable communities.

Participants who successfully complete the program receive a Certificate in Neighborhood Leadership from the Chancellor of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. A total of 3.30 Continuing Education Units are also awarded to participants.

More than 100 neighborhood leaders from throughout the St. Louis region have participated in the NLA, learning the skills and building the networks necessary to create livable communities.

The Neighborhood Leadership Academy is designed for potential or current neighborhood or community leaders, as well as public sector or community based organization staff. The program is also open to students interested in exploring community development careers.

During the academy, participants share and work on a community improvement project for their neighborhood. Following is a sample of their projects:

• Forming a neighborhood association to encourage more community involvement
• Proposing and implementing a neighborhood recycling program
• Developing a church-based community needs assessment
• Planning and obtaining funding for a neighborhood park
• Creating an intergenerational community computer lab

Download the 2010 Neighborhood Leadership Academy brochure

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