Tamarac University is like many citizen academies across the country in that it was created as a way to involve the City’s residents in their government by giving them the behind-the-scenes look that most people never experience, much less think about.

Founded in 2007, Tamarac University was, and continues to be, an effective way to educate a group of residents about the inner workings, intricacies, and nuances unique to local government, and about their City specifically.

What sets Tamarac University apart, and makes it unique from other citizen academies, is the way in which graduates are engaged even after the program ends – through a yearly refresher course, focus-groups, and an innovative alumni program TU graduates have the potential to stay connected to the City long after they receive their certificate of completion.

This case study was submitted to the Alliance for Innovation in consideration for the 2010 Transforming Local Government conference.