The Department of Neighborhoods and Columbus City Council on Thursday celebrated the New American Leadership Academy (NALA) 2025 cohort, honoring 23 graduates and presenting a newly produced New American program resource guide that will be distributed to each graduate and made available online via a QR code.

Kim Douglas, director of the Department of Neighborhoods, praised the cohort and placed the program within the city’s civic goals. "Civic engagement is the heartbeat of any thriving democracy," Douglas said, and she thanked alumni and staff for helping prepare the graduates for public service.

The guide, which staff said the department has worked on for nearly two years, compiles local resources aimed at new Americans. Program staff presented a copy to an attending council member and asked graduates to scan the guide’s QR code; organizers said every graduate would receive a printed copy. Program staff described the guide as a single place to find housing, legal advising, education and local-service information for new Americans.

Council member Nancy Dayachower, speaking on behalf of Columbus City Council, commended the program’s focus on community engagement and leadership development. "I have always loved creating opportunities for people to be engaged with both their community and their government," Dayachower said, and she urged graduates to take part in civic life.

Class speaker Kevin Narayo Koflom and alumna Catherine Lopez both highlighted civic participation and mutual support among new Americans. Lopez led attendees in a brief standing exercise to underscore volunteerism and belonging, saying, "This is what courage and most importantly, leadership and civic engagement looks like."

Staff read brief biographies for each graduate, noting a range of countries of origin and current roles in Columbus-area organizations; examples mentioned during the ceremony included graduates who work in education, nonprofit casework, emergency communications, and local government services. Organizers said the cohort represents more than 20 nations and that graduates plan to apply their training to community-building, advocacy and workforce goals.

Assistant Director for Programs Director Anderson closed the ceremony by urging graduates to act as local leaders, saying the room represented "23 stamps on our passport" that symbolize the cohort’s global origins and local commitment. A short cultural presentation followed, during which Irfan Alisha Khanzada described the Afghan turban as "not just a clothing. It's a honor. It's a respect, and it's a responsibility." The event ended with a group photograph and a call to alumni to remain engaged with the NALA network.

No formal votes or legislative actions were taken at the ceremony; staff characterized the evening as a celebratory forum, program handoff and alumni engagement opportunity. The Department of Neighborhoods said the resource guide will be updated periodically and distributed through community hubs and the department website.