The city of Naperville is offering two opportunities for students to get involved in local government this school year.
Applications are now open for both student representative positions with the city’s boards and commissions and Chief of Staff internships with Mayor Scott Wehrli’s office, both beginning in November and running through July 2027.
Supporting youth leadership
24 openings are available for the Student Representative Program, with two roles on each board or commission. Applicants are encouraged to apply for up to three placement positions among the following options:
- Advisory Commission on Disabilities
- Financial Advisory Board
- Historic Preservation Commission
- Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission
- Naper Settlement Museum Board
- Naperville Public Library Board
- Planning and Zoning Commission
- Public Utilities Advisory Board
- Riverwalk Commission
- Sister Cities Commission
- Special Events Cultural Arts Commission
- Transportation Advisory Board
The Mayor’s Chief of Staff Internship will offer up to eight roles for qualifying students, supporting the mayor at community events, engaging with attendees, taking photos, and answering questions.
The mayoral internship is also a partnership with KidsMatter, a local nonprofit that helps young people navigate life with confidence and high self-esteem.
Abigail Hennessey, a previous intern to the mayor, said the experience taught her that “showing up matters,” and that she left her role with a better understanding of civic engagement.
“Throughout my internship experience with the Mayor’s Office, I learned a lot about what it means to be involved in the community. From ribbon cuttings for new businesses to centennial birthday parties celebrating our oldest residents, I saw parts of Naperville I never knew existed,” Hennessey said.
Program launches with leadership academy
Both programs will kick off with the KidsMatter Leadership Academy on Nov. 7, where students will learn the necessary skills to succeed in their new roles throughout the school year. They will also become familiar with city meeting protocols and fellow students in the program.
Mayor Wehrli said a “police chief for a day” experience as a kid helped instill his own passion for city leadership, and that he hopes this opportunity will do the same for Naperville students.
“When we open the doors of the Mayor’s Office to young people who want to serve, we give them a real look at how their city works,” Wehrli said. “These students are our future leaders. If we can show them what public service is really about and spark that same interest in even one of them, we’ve done something worthwhile.”
How to apply
Interested applicants must live within Naperville’s incorporated boundaries, be at least a sophomore or above for the boards and commissions positions and a sophomore or junior for the Chief of Staff roles, and cannot have previously served on a board or commission.
Students can apply by visiting any of the Boards and Commissions webpages and completing the necessary information. Applications are due Friday, Sept. 4 at 5 pm.
Stay in the know – sign up for our daily news update!