When Carol Gentz moved from Maui to Huntsville in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, she looked for ways to connect with her new community. She found the City of Huntsville’s Civic Engagement Academy (CEA), a program run by the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Gentz joined the spring 2023 CEA group, which led her to a new job in public service and helped her build connections in the city.
The CEA helps residents learn about city operations through weekly sessions with department leaders. Gentz said the program gave her a better understanding of how city services work and how decisions are made. She noted the openness and cooperation among city officials, which influenced her interest in working for the city.
Before moving to Huntsville, Gentz worked in local government in Maui County, Hawaii, where she managed the Community Development Block Grant Program. The CEA gave her new insight into Huntsville’s government. After finishing the program, she applied for a job in the Community Development Department. She was hired as a Program Projects Manager in August 2023 and now manages affordable housing projects…