Covington Mayor’s Academy

The Covington Mayor’s Academy is an immersive eight-month program designed to educate, involve, and engage residents and stakeholders in the work of City government. It offers participants exposure to a wide variety of subjects led by local elected officials and senior City staff.

Time Commitment

The Mayor’s Academy will meet monthly from August 2025 through April 2026, with 1-2 hour sessions led by local elected officials and senior City staff. Topics will include everything from city administration and budgeting to public safety, public works, parks and recreation, legal and human resources, and neighborhood services. 

  • August 11, 2025 – 6 p.m.
  • September 8, 2025 – 6 p.m.
  • October 13, 2025 – 6 p.m.
  • November 10, 2025 – 6 p.m.
  • December 8, 2025 – 6 p.m.
  • January 12, 2026 – 6 p.m.
  • February 9, 2026 – 6 p.m.
  • March 9, 2026 – 6 p.m.
  • April 13, 2026 – 6 p.m.

Members of the Inaugural Mayor’s Academy Class: 

  • Amanda Arelle, Eastside – Software Engineering Manager, Availity 

  • Connor Boland, Eastside – Property Manager, UC Health 

  • Tami Burgoyne, Licking Riverside – Senior Complex Claims Specialist, W.R. Berkley Corporation 

  • April Coffee, Westside – Business Coach, Small Business Development Center 

  • Maureen Eiting, Old Seminary Square – Chief of Staff / VP Sales Ops, DentalXChange 

  • Sarah Flem, Mainstrasse – Insurance Executive, Great American Insurance 

  • Dan Francis, West Latonia – Retired Minister, Latonia Baptist Church 

  • Cari Maria Garriga, Licking Riverside – Professor, Thomas More University 

  • Samuel Greenhill, Latonia – Children’s Librarian, Kenton County Public Library 

  • Kelly Harper, Westside – Career Center Director, Cincinnati State 

  • Bonnie Harrison, Riverside – Manager, Internal Revenue Service 

  • Helene Hill, Helentown – Administrative Assistant, Covington Independent Schools 

  • Leroy Hodge – Executive Director, Neighborhood Investment Partners 

  • Gregg Hothem, South Covington – Retired 

  • Brittany Humphries-Chapman, Seminary Square – Donations Coordinator, LifeCenter 

  • Chuck Kemp, Central Business District – Real Estate Agent 

  • Michael Lange, Lewisburg – Real Estate & Construction Professional 

  • Laura Menard, Westside – Hospital Librarian, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 

  • Kelly McCollough, Peaselburg – Senior Instructional Designer, University of Cincinnati 

  • Melissa McQueen, South Covington – Executive Assistant to CEO, CHNK Behavioral Health 

  • Emily North, Mainstrasse – Marketing & Communications Manager, Christ Hospital Health Network 

  • Lydia Noll-Giska, Wallace Woods – Social Worker, NKY Children’s Advocacy Center 

  • Tracey Rowe – VP of Early Childhood Services, Learning Grove 

  • Chad Ragan, Wallace Woods – Chief of Staff, DuBois Chemicals 

  • Colton Sayers, Westside – Occupational Therapist, UC Health 

  • Stevie Smith, Wallace Woods – Outreach Programmer, Kenton County Public Library 

  • Bil Spicer, Mainstrasse – Retired 

  • Nicole Tepe, Central Business District – Lawyer, Frost Brown Todd 

  • Shelley Volpenhein – Business Owner, The Fieldhouse 

  • Alexander Willet, Peaselburg – Realtor, Sibcy Cline 

While most participants live within Covington, eligibility was also extended to individuals who work for organizations based in the City.