St. Johns County has completed its spring 2026 SJC 101 Citizens Academy, graduating 28 residents and bringing the total to more than 90 alumni since its launch in 2024.
Held twice annually, in the spring and fall, the SJC 101 Citizens Academy is 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.
Throughout the 12-week program, participants engaged 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 were strategically aligned with national observances and seasonal priorities, such as National Public Health Week, National Public Works Week and hurricane season preparedness, providing timely context and relevance to county operations.
The program concluded June 2 with a formal recognition of graduates by Clay Murphy, chair of the Board of County Commissioners, and Joy Andrews, county administrator, during a Board meeting.
“This is what it’s all about,” Murphy said. “We are opening the doors to government to our citizens in a real effort for transparency. We want people to be able to see where their tax dollars go and how they’re used.”
“The one takeaway I want our residents to leave with is a true sense of curiosity,” Andrews said. “It’s not necessarily any specific data point, fact or statistic. It’s really about your willingness to be a part of a very authentic dialogue. I think we have gotten 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 active members of the community.
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 commitment of county staff.
Graduates are encouraged to remain engaged by applying for volunteer opportunities on County advisory boards and committees, participating in public meetings and supporting community outreach efforts. Information on current board and committee vacancies, including application details, is available on the St. Johns County website (webapp.sjcfl.us/brdscommittees/Boards.aspx?Sort=All)
Since its inception, the program has continued to expand its reach and impact, reinforcing St. Johns County’s commitment to openness, education and public engagement. As the program grows, the county is also preparing to launch the SJC 101 Alumni Alliance to foster continued connection, collaboration and involvement among graduates.
Residents interested in participating in a future SJC 101 program can learn more and register at sjcfl.us/sjc101. Classes are selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to recap the spring program. See it at youtube.com/watch?v=RDQh7Df5OzE.
