Fifteen undergraduate UGA students committed to boosting Georgia’s rural communities were named as PROPEL Rural Scholars at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The experiential learning opportunity is made possible through a generous $250,000 gift from the University of Georgia Foundation.
PROPEL (Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership) is a unique public service program that launched in 2022 to support economic and community development. PROPEL Rural Scholars will work alongside a Public Service and Outreach mentor and community leaders to conduct data analysis and other research, present findings, and help facilitate stakeholder meetings.
“Leadership is the lifeblood of rural communities. This program will help start to build the next generation of leaders who can make a difference. Our PROPEL communities are excited to be working with students and will benefit from their enthusiasm and hard work,” said Greg Wilson, the institute faculty member who directs the program.
Most of the students have roots in rural Georgia and a vested interest in helping such communities thrive.
“It’s important that we reach out to rural communities because smaller towns are experiencing a faster growth rate than larger cities right now. We need to be intentional with rural communities to help ensure that they are able to facilitate and maximize growth.”
-Hannah Willerson, 2022-2023 PROPEL Rural Scholar
The PROPEL program is designed to guide low-income rural cities and counties through a multistep model to develop and execute a plan to advance their economies. PROPEL communities include: Appling County, Baldwin County, Ben Hill County, Burke County, Crisp County, Emanuel County, Grady County, Marion County, Pulaski County, Washington County and the Lower Chattahoochee Council of Governments (Clay, Quitman, Randolph and Stewart counties).
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Halle Bynum Accounting major and biology minor with a certificate in entrepreneurship and personal leadership Fitzgerald, GA |
Alex Crabb Civil engineering major Dacula, GA |
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Andrea Fernando Health promotion major with an emphasis in behavioral medicine Baxley, GA |
Margaret Hart Political science/international affairs major Alpharetta, GA |
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Michael Howard Agricultural and applied economics major Hartwell, GA |
Hendley Jones Political science major Monroe, GA |
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Laura Kelley Political science and public relations major Dawsonville, GA |
Caleb Kerr Agricultural and applied economics/international affairs major Plymouth, MA |
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Katelyn Matthews Sociology major Buford, GA |
Harper Pendley Health promotion and behavior major Athens, GA |
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Isabelle Philip Political science and international affairs major Malden, MA |
Ambar Reyna-Montanez Landscape architecture major Canton, GA |
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Kevin Vega International affairs and economics major Austell, GA |
Morgan White Biology pre-medicine major Ellijay, GA |
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Elena Zhang Sociology, intended english education major Guangzhou, Guangdong |
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