The Suffolk Leadership Academy has been laying a foundation for history-makers the past 11 years. It is now enrolling for a new class of them.

The Suffolk Leadership Academy will be held Jan. 18 through March 15. Applications must be submitted before Jan. 7.

“The academy is a great resource to learn about topics like the history of Suffolk and its economic development, but the thing I really walked away with was the connections I made with people in the community,” said Kenda Council, who was enrolled in the first class and now serves on the committee. “There are a lot of practical benefits of the academy, and we hope each year it will inspire people to become more involved in the community.”

The Suffolk Leadership Academy has graduated more than 200 students, many of which have gone on to be active in community organizations and even run for office, Council said.

The academy is designed to develop and strengthen leadership skills for citizens to serve the community in various roles and foster a better understanding of the workings in the city and state government.

The topics this year will include history of Suffolk, local government, economic development and regionalism, tourism, agriculture, education and volunteerism.

Special trips to the General Assembly in Richmond and a tour of Suffolk are included in the class as well.

Sessions will be held in Council Chambers and will include instruction in the theory and the practical application of leadership by W. Ross Boone.

The programs may be viewed by citizens on the Suffolk municipal access channel.

The instruction portion of the class runs from 5:30-6 p.m. and guest speakers begin at 6 p.m. Dinner is provided for every class and each class ends at 8:30 p.m. The cost of the class is $300.

Individuals are encouraged to apply, and companies are encouraged to sponsor a student or to enroll an employee to become a member of the class.

Sponsorships are available at the following levels: a gold level sponsorship costs $1,000 and includes two student sponsorships and four tickets to the closing reception; a silver level sponsorship costs $500 and includes one student sponsorship and two tickets to the closing reception; and a bronze level sponsorship costs $300 and includes one student sponsorship.

For more information about the Suffolk Leadership Academy or to obtain an application, contact Kenda Council at 539-8789, extension 3339, or kcouncil@nsacademy.org.