PROPEL Rural Scholars
PROPEL Rural Scholars
Make an impact on rural Georgia communities
Program Background
The PROPEL Rural Scholars program provides undergraduate students interested in rural economic and community development the opportunity to work alongside an Institute of Government mentor and community leaders from across the state. In this program, students conduct and implement relevant research in rural Georgia communities. The two-semester program will equip future leaders with the knowledge and experience to become leaders in economic development, community development, and civil service. The PROPEL Rural Scholars program is supported by the University of Georgia Foundation, Harley Langdale Foundation and the Parents Leadership Council.
The scholars program is part of the PROPEL (Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership) program led by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The program guides rural cities and counties through a six-step model to develop and activate a plan to advance their economies. It helps communities build resiliency and capacity for long-term economic success.
Thank you to the Harley Langdale Foundation and the University of Georgia's Parents Leadership Council for their generous support of the PROPEL Rural Scholars program.
Program Highlights
Students engaged in the PROPEL Rural Scholars learn about:
- Economic policy and development
- Community engagement and development
- Georgia demographics, trends, and contemporary issues and opportunities
- Small business development support strategy
- Consulting skills and tactics
- Meeting management and administrative skills
- Core skills, like teamwork, notetaking, professional communications
Program Details
The year-long program begins in August and concludes in April with final deliverable presentations. Scholars attend bi-weekly two-hour workshops throughout the fall semester, covering various aspects of economic and community development in rural Georgia. In the fall semester, students will travel to an active PROPEL community, study the opportunities and challenges facing rural communities, and interact with community leaders. In the spring, students will work in teams to complete an applied research project that supports their community’s PROPEL plan. While the PROPEL communities are located across the state, scholars will complete their project largely from the Athens campus, committing 10 to 12 hours per week to the project throughout the spring semester. Funds will be available to support Rural Scholars' travel to their assigned PROPEL community.
- The Rural Scholars program is open to UGA undergraduate students from any school or college.
- Students can earn non-course experiential learning credit through their participation in the program.
The key goal of the PROPEL program is the development and implementation of a data-informed, community-driven community and economic development action plan, supported through coaching and connectivity with community, university, regional, and federal partners. PROPEL communities use community data and public input to identify three to four priority areas that shape their action plan and then work together to implement projects to achieve their goals.
- March 16, 2026: PROPEL Rural Scholars applications open
- April 10, 2026: Applications close
- Mid-April 2026: Interview notifications shared with select applicants
- Mid to Late April 2026: Program interviews
- By May 5, 2026: Decisions released
- Fall 2026: Program begins
2022 Communities
- Grady County
- Appling County
- Pulaski County
- Washington County
- Lower Chattahoochee Council of Governments (Clay, Quitman, Randolph, and Stewart Counties)
2023 Communities
- Baldwin County
- Ben Hill County
- Burke County
2024 Communities
- Emanuel County
- Crisp County
- Marion County
2025 Communities
- Franklin County
- Haralson County
- Lamar County
Additional communities may be added in the future.
PROPEL In the News |
Caleb Kerr - 2023-2024 PROPEL Rural Scholar
Hannah Willerson - 2023 PROPEL Rural Scholar
