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Arena Academy

Gain the skills and the community you’ll need to build winning campaigns.

Arena Academy 

Arena Academy is our flagship training program for new and seasoned campaign staff. Over five days, you’ll learn to build values-driven, strategic, winning campaigns alongside a diverse and supportive community of learners. We’ll teach you effective management and how to build inclusive teams, while sharpening your skills in campaign management, communications, data, digital, fundraising, or organizing. Best of all, you’ll get to put your new skills to the test in the Arena Cup!

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Your Arena Academy Journey

Learn more about your Arena Academy journey from application to career support. 

How to Apply

Ready to attend Arena Academy? The first step is to apply! The application provides space to tell us about your passions and professional goals. We want to hear about what makes you unique, what you hope to gain from Arena Academy, and your aspirations as a change agent. You’ll also be asked to select one of seven tracks: Campaign Management, Communications, Data, Digital, Fundraising, Organizing, or Organizing Director. Heads up: You’ll need to submit a pdf of your resume as part of the application. Read our application guide for more tips!

Upcoming Events

Creators: The Next Frontier of your Digital Strategy

March 21, 2024
Online
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Mar
21

Arena Summit

April 20-21, 2024
Atlanta, Georgia
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Apr
20

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Arena Academy Tracks

At Arena Academy, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of how to win campaigns while also digging deep on a particular set of campaign skills in your track. In your application, you select your top two track choices.  Learn more about each track here, and if you’re not sure how your skills best translate to a campaign job, check out our Campaign Skills Translator Tool

Learn more about our career services

Arena Trainers

Arena trainers are a diverse, creative, and strategic group of practitioners who’ve led winning campaigns up and down the ballot. You’ll learn from and connect with leaders who understand and support your passions, aspirations, and values.

INTERESTED IN TRAINING WITH ARENA? FILL OUT THIS INTEREST FORM

Alexandria Coburn

National Radical Education Field Manager, Working Families Party
Organizing Track Trainer

Carli Stevenson

Assistant Director of Communications, Politics for SEIU
Communications Track Lead

Catherine Kahle

Deputy Chief Technology Officer, DNC
Data Track Trainer

Cayana Mackey Nance

Vice President of Digital, EMILYs List
Digital Track Trainer

Jade Tacka

Head of Development, Swing Left
Fundraising Track Trainer

Jose Nuñez

National Organizing Director, DNC
Organizing and Digital Track Trainer

Dr. Kira Banks

Professor of Psychology and co-founder of the Institute for Healing Justice and Equity, Saint Louis University
Beyond Unconscious Bias Trainer

Kayci Moodie

National States and Organizing Director, NextGen
Organizing Track Trainer

Luis Ávila

President, Iconico
Organizing Track Trainer

Regina Monge

Former Campaign Manager, Jessica Cisneros for Congress
Fundraising Track Lead

Ruby Sarron

Training Director, ActBlue
Digital and Fundraising Track Trainer

Ryanne Brown

Digital Paid Media Director, Priorities USA
Campaign Manager and Communications Track Trainer

Sarah Blahovec

Co-Founder and President, Disability Victory Fund
Arena Academy Panelist

Sean Ward

Executive Director, New Mexico Democratic Party
Arena Cup General Consultant

Shripal Shah

Partner, Lefthook Strategy
Communications Track Trainer

Stephanie Medina

Deputy Director, Partner Engagement, ZINC Collective
Arena Cup General Consultant

Terry Bermea

Executive Director, Battleground Texas
Organizing Director Track Trainer

The Arena Academy Impact

“Arena Academy was a life-changing experience for me. I had worked in the data field for years, but after the events of January 6th, I was looking to get directly involved in defending our democracy. Arena Academy was my first step into the world of progressive data.”

— David White, Data Analyst, Zinc Labs

“I cannot overstate how much attending Arena Academy has impacted my career. Previous to attending Arena I had data experience but no connections to the political space. By networking during Arena Academy in 2019 I got connected to someone on the Cory Booker campaign. Through that connection I landed my first job in the Democratic data space. Since then I’ve worked on data teams for two campaigns, city government, the DNC, and the White House.”

— Tarah Marshall, Chief of Staff, Democratic Data Exchange

“Arena Academy was a watershed moment in my life. It felt as though I was experiencing a revolution of self as I came to understand the power I possess as a change maker. Yes, they teach you the lingo, the tech, and the hard skills needed on a campaign. But more importantly, they demystify the political process. They abolish your imposter syndrome.”

— Zinzer Jay, Vocal Media Senior Campaign Manager
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Frequently Asked Questions