City of College Station Blog

By Taitelyn Morris-Wise, Neighborhood Services/Community Relations Coordinator

The 2025 Citizens University Program concluded with a graduation ceremony at City Hall on Monday night, celebrating the completion of the rigorous 13-week course and a newfound sense of civic awareness and community connection.

From late January through April, 22 committed College Station residents stepped behind the scenes to experience local government and explore the intricate operations that keep our community running smoothly. The cohort took participants into the hallways, control centers, and workspaces of many City departments.

The Monday evening sessions navigated topics ranging from the buzz of the Emergency Dispatch Center to the strategic planning behind public safety, infrastructure, and community development.

Based on participants’ feedback, here are a few highlights:

• The Public Works session examined heavy equipment and how streets, drainage, and solid waste are managed, revealing how much work happens behind the scenes.
• The Fiscal Services class explained how tax dollars are allocated, giving students a clearer picture of what the City does with those funds – and why.
• The Water Services session showed how the city ensures safe, reliable drinking water for our continued growth through conservation. Participants even got to tour the inside of a water tower!

Other participating departments were Community Services, Neighborhood and University Relations, Planning and Development, Municipal Court, CSU Electric, Fire, Economic Development and Tourism, Capital Projects, Police, Public Communications, City Council, City Secretary, and the City Manager’s Office.

For many, the program’s highlight was connecting with City staff – putting faces and names behind the trucks, flashing lights, and yellow vests. Participants consistently praised City employees’ enthusiasm and passion, leaving with a deeper connection and appreciation for those who serve our community.

If you’ve ever wondered how your city works and want to be more engaged, consider applying for the next Citizens University in 2026. It’s more than a class — it’s a front-row seat to how your local government works.

About The Blogger

Taitelyn Morris-Wise is in her second year as the city’s Neighborhood and Community Relations Coordinator. She worked as a policy advisor for the Texas House of Representatives last spring and was a graduate fellow at the Communities Foundation of Texas in 2022. Morris also served as an intern in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2021 and was an internal audit intern for the City of College Station in 2020. A native of Waco, she earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M in 2021 and a master’s in public service and administration from A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service in 2023.

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