Little Elm honors Citizens Government Academy class; staff delivers in‑home graduation to ill participant

The Town of Little Elm presented certificates of completion to participants in the 10th class of its Citizens Government Academy, an eight‑week program that offers residents behind‑the‑scenes instruction on town departments and operations.

Tiffany Thompson, the town’s chief relations officer, told council the program drew nearly 80 applicants for roughly 25 seats and said the cohort was the most engaged yet. Thompson described a case in which a married couple had applied but only one spouse initially had a seat; after a drop allowed him to enroll, the husband "had the time of his life," she said.

Thompson asked permission to play a short video of a moment staff took to present Alan’s certificate at his residence after he was hospitalized and released to hospice. The mayor presented a certificate and a challenge coin at the meeting. Thompson informed the council that Alan subsequently died; she framed the delivered graduation as a meaningful community moment and thanked staff and volunteers for their work on the program.

The program serves as a civic engagement and education tool, Thompson said, and the town recognized multiple class members during the workshop. Mayor Curtis J. Cornelius and Town Manager Matt Mueller participated in the certificate presentations.

The town did not discuss funding, curriculum changes, or program expansion during the presentation. No formal action was taken; the segment served as a recognition item.