Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council

Your Voice. Your City. Your Future.

The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council is a new initiative designed to empower high school students to shape the future of our city. This leadership and civic engagement program offers students a unique opportunity to:

Advise the Mayor on youth-related issues
Collaborate with local government officials
Develop leadership and communication skills
Take action on real community challenges

As Huntsville continues to grow as a hub of innovation and opportunity, the Council ensures that young voices are heard—and valued—in shaping what comes next.

Why It Matters

Youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they’re change-makers. Through education, advocacy and service, the Council will help amplify youth perspectives on critical issues, from education and equity to technology and community development. Together, we’ll build a city that reflects the ideas and ambitions of its next generation.

What You’ll Do

The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council is a dynamic leadership and civic engagement program that empowers high school students to serve as youth ambassadors, policy advisors and community liaisons. As a member, you will learn about the structure and function of municipal government, participate in service-learning projects, engage with city leaders and mentors, and offer youth perspectives on issues affecting peers and the greater Huntsville community.

Influence Local Policy: Share perspectives and ideas on municipal issues and initiatives directly with the Mayor and City leadership.
Grow as a Leader: Gain skills in public speaking, critical thinking and team collaboration. Through mentorship, training and real-world experiences, you’ll build confidence to lead and drive positive change.
Understand Government: Learn how Huntsville’s departments and services operate and increase your understanding of the civic structure, purpose and municipal government operations.
Serve the Community: Lead service projects and community outreach initiatives.
Explore Careers: Discover career pathways in government, tech, public service, advanced manufacturing and other key industries.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, you must:

Be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior or senior
Attend a public, private or homeschool in the Huntsville city limits
Live within the Huntsville city limits
Demonstrate leadership potential, community involvement, and a strong interest in civic engagement and local government.

How to Apply

The Council will consist of 25 students selected through a competitive application process that includes:

Written responses
Letter(s) of recommendation
An interview

Members serve for one academic year (August/September–May), with opportunities to renew based on participation and performance.

Applications are due by Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 10 p.m. Don’t miss your chance to shape Huntsville’s future—apply today!