Mayors Forum: Critical Issues for Cities in 2026

CSU Levin College Senior Fellows Mike Summers and Earl Leiken (former mayors of Lakewood and Shaker Heights) invite you to a special program sponsored by Levin College, NOACA and the First Suburbs Consortium at the Levin College on February 11 from 8:30 a.m. To 12:15 p.m. The program is specifically designed for mayors to help them navigate the challenges that cities in Northeast Ohio are facing today. Earl and Mike believe that the information gained from the program will be very helpful to you in your work and that the program will benefit from your participation. They hope you will find it possible to join them on February 11.

This forum is designed exclusively for mayors and will help you to navigate evolving federal and state legislative changes that will impact your cities, funding opportunities and methods of collaboration between cities to maximize efficiency, quality and cost savings. In addition, you'll receive expert knowledge from studies that have been done on the unique challenges faced by communities and the best means of overcoming them.

At this program, we'll hear from speakers like Kent Scarrett, Executive Director of the Ohio Municipal League; a representative from the National League of Cities familiar with federal funding opportunities and legislation and trends impacting cities; experts on the problems and issues faced by legacy communities and how best to overcome them; and, Chris Alvarado, Director of Regional Collaboration of Cuyahoga County. Your fellow mayors will also be participants as panelists to share information and seek your input so we can benefit from your leadership voice.

Free. Seating is limited.

Program Agenda

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. | Welcome & Introduction

• Earl Leiken, Senior Fellow
• Grace Gallucci, Executive Director & CEO, NOACA
• Dean Jill Gordon, Levin College of Public Affairs and Education

9:00 – 9:35 a.m. | State of Ohio Issues for Cities

• Kent Scarrett, Executive Director, Ohio Municipal League

9:35 – 10:10 a.m. | Federal Issues Impacting Cities

• Irma Esparza Diggs, Senior Executive Director, Federal Advocacy, National League of Cities

10:10 – 10:25 a.m. | Break

10:25 – 11:00 a.m. | The Future of Legacy Cities

• Levin College Faculty Panel

11:00 – 11:35 a.m. | Regional & Collaborative Efforts

• Professor Megan Rubado
• Chris Alvarado, Director of Regional Collaboration, Cuyahoga County

11:35 – 12:05 p.m. | Regional & Collaborative Efforts

• Panel of Mayors

12:05 – 12:15 p.m. | Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways

• Mike Summers, Senior Fellow

Why Your Participation Matters

• Contribute your perspective on state and federal policy impacts
• Engage in peer-level dialogue shaping the future of legacy cities
• Strengthening regional partnerships that drive collective progress
• Help advance a shared vision for vibrant, resilient Northeast Ohio communities

For more information, contact Levin College Senior Fellow and former Shaker Heights Mayor Earl Leiken at (216) 570-9052, or Jennifer Kuzma, Executive Director of the First Suburbs Consortium at (440) 666-7729.