Graduates of the 2026 Community Leadership Institute of Cranberry were recognized with certificates at Thursday’s Cranberry Township meeting. Varad Raigaonkar/Butler Eagle

CRANBERRY TWP — During Thursday’s township supervisors meeting, 2026 graduates of the Community Leadership Institute of Cranberry were recognized one week after the class concluded.

The Community Leadership Institute aims to take residents behind the scenes of how the community operates through a multiweek program of 90-minute sessions. The classes cover aspects of local governance, such as utilities, public works, police, EMS and parks and recreation.

“I think they have a deeper appreciation to the complexity of Cranberry Township,” said supervisors Chairman Bruce Hezlep.

Township manager Dan Santoro described the program as a “pathway to be able to volunteer more and participate in local government.”

Hezlep, along with the rest of the board, awarded the graduates with certificates. Seven of the participants were not present at the meeting.

According to Santoro, the 2026 session was the fifth class since the program started. The township limits each class to 25 participants.

“When we open it up, it fills pretty quickly,” said Santoro. “But we feel like the class size being manageable — so they can get meaningful participation — is important for us.”