Pinellas County Government
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PCCTV

We are now accepting applications for next year’s Pinellas Citizen University, starting in April of 2010.

Ever wonder how government works, and what goes on behind the scenes in the various departments that provide services to you and your neighbors?

Pinellas Citizen University (PCU) unravels the mystery. Similar to other leadership classes, PCU brings you face to face with county administrators and decision-makers. Through exciting field trips and exercises, you learn first hand how Pinellas County provides services to nearly one million county residents.

During this remarkable ten-week course, you’ll go behind the scenes at many Pinellas County operations and talk to the experts as you explore a wide range of county functions.

  • Imagine trying to plan a hurricane evacuation in the face of an approaching storm.
  • Listen in on the drama of real 9-1-1 calls.
  • Try balancing a $1.9 billion county budget.
  • Tour the Pinellas County Jail.
  • Get your hands on the latest survey equipment and try planning a highway.
  • Sit in the grand jury room, and talk to those leaders within our criminal court system.

Class enrollment is limited and you must be at least 18 years old.

Classes meet Thursday nights, usually from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Tuition for PCU is $35 which includes a class shirt, all course materials, graduation ceremony and diploma.

REGISTER NOW! CLASSES ARE FILLING UP!

Departments Involved:

  • 9-1-1
  • Animal Services
  • Circuit Court Judges
  • Code Enforcement
  • County Administrator
  • Communications Department
  • Emergency Management
  • Emergency Management Services & Fire Administration (Public Safety Services)
  • Human Services
  • Fleet Management
  • Justice & Consumer Services
  • Management and Budget
  • Public Defender
  • Public Works – Engineering
  • Public Works – Division of Survey & Mapping
  • Public Works – Highway Department
  • Public Works – Mosquito
  • Public Works – Traffic Engineering/Traffic Operations & Control Center
  • State Attorney
  • Sheriff’s Office/Pinellas County Jail
  • Utilities

PCE CLass of 2009!
Congratulations PCU Class of 2009!

Pinellas Citizen University graduates 30 June 25, 2009--The Pinellas Communications Department’s PCC-TV studio was the set for a very special graduation ceremony, as 30 students from Pinellas Citizen University were handed diplomas from Pinellas County Commission Vice-Chair Karen Williams Seel.Pinellas Citizen University, or PCU as it’s called, is a ten-week course that goes behind the scenes in county government… to see how the various departments operate. 

Each week, the class meets at a different county facility for an in-depth view of how Pinellas County provides services for nearly one million full-time residents every day.

At the end of it all, each graduate receives a diploma signed by the Board of County Commissioners, and their own copy of a class picture to commemorate the event. 

Most students felt that the classes allowed them to more fully appreciate the services provided by county government. 

Pinellas County complies with the
American with Disabilities Act.

To obtain accessible formats of this document, please contact the Pinellas County Communications Department at (727) 464-4600/TDD (727) 464-4431.

E-mail addresses are public records under Florida law and are not exempt from public records requirements. If you do not want your e-mail address to be subject to being released pursuant to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by telephone or in writing, via the United States Postal Service.
PCU is a behind-the-scenes look at how county government operates.
PCU includes a visit to the Grand Jury Room as students learn about our criminal justice system.
It’s out of the classroom and into the field as PCU students experience hands-on activities.
PCU students see where it goes when it goes down the drain at the South Cross Bayou Water Reclamation Facility.
This class included a look inside a Sunstar Paramedic Ambulance as PCU students examine all the life-saving equipment.
Signs, signs…everywhere there are signs as PCU students visit the Pinellas County sign shop.
The county’s most unusual garage takes care of fleet vehicles for many county departments, including Animal Services.
PCU students take a look at (and through) county survey equipment.
Big vehicles require huge tires as PCU students visit Pinellas County’s Fleet Management garage.

"I thought having lived in Pinellas County all of my life that I was an informed citizen. I am involved in many organizations as a member and a volunteer. I did not know how little I knew until attending PCU. I know I am a much better citizen now. Thank you for making this such a wonderful experience. --Lanashier Hutchins ‘09 "
"“If you have any desire at all to understand something about the county, to understand, gee, why do they do that? Where’s my money going? Does anybody care? It was definitely an eye-opening experience for that.” --LaRita Jacobs ’09
"Little did I know when I signed up for Pinellas Citizen University, that I would embark on such an incredible journey through the Pinellas County government system. It has inspired me to get more involved in community activities. It will affect the way I vote for elected officials, not by face, unknown name, or party affiliation any longer, but by their stand on issues important to the best interest of us all as citizens, and how they will listen to us. I will do my due diligence to study the candidates and issues on the ballot. I will be a better citizen because of my experience with PCU. --Christine Freedman ‘09

"“We were just amazed at all the behind the scenes work and dedication that went into showing us how they operate and what goes on in each of the different departments. We were just totally enthralled with coming to the next class.” --Bev Swanson”
‘09