Nineteen undergraduate UGA students have been selected as 2025-2026 PROPEL Rural Scholars. The program, housed at the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government is now in its fourth year.
The latest class of scholars represents eight UGA colleges with a wide range of majors, from agribusiness and computer engineering to chemistry and psychology.
“Each new group of PROPEL Rural Scholars brings curiosity and a fresh perspective to the work happening across each PROPEL community,” said Madison Drummond, the institute’s PROPEL coordinator. “We are excited to get to know our students and look forward to working with them.”
PROPEL, or Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership, is a nationally recognized program that supports rural communities’ economic and community development through expert coaching and connection to resources. Working with UGA faculty, staff and students, key stakeholders identify and execute a long-term vision for their community’s economic future. The UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach, leads the program.
The two-semester PROPEL Rural Scholars program equips students with knowledge and experience that will empower them to take future roles in economic development, community development and civic leadership.
The scholars meet throughout the fall to learn about Georgia’s population trends, economic development, community development, small businesses and community engagement. They also travel to a PROPEL community to meet with local leaders and gain a deeper understanding of the program’s impact.
In the spring, the students will conduct applied research in participating PROPEL communities alongside UGA Public Service and Outreach mentors and local stakeholders. Current participating PROPEL communities include Crisp, Emanuel, Franklin, Haralson, Lamar and Marion Counties.
Previous PROPEL Rural Scholars have worked on a range of projects, including tourism, communication, housing and emergency management. Read more about past scholars’ experiences online.
Meet the 2025-2026 PROPEL Rural Scholars
Dylan Appling
Major: Civil Engineering
Buford, Ga.
Addie Bennett
Major: Poultry Science
Millen, Ga.
Daniel Bonner
Major: Landscape Architecture
Atlanta, Ga.
Allie Braddy
Major: Poultry Science
Fitzgerald, Ga.
Jacob Duke
Major: Agribusiness, Agricultural and Applied Economics
Bowdon, Ga.
Amiyah Elam
Major: Social Entrepreneurship for Consumer Well Being and Agricultural Communications
Waycross, Ga.
Clara Forehand
Major Environmental Engineering
Hamburg, NY
Thomas Griner
Major: Philosophy Political Science and Economics (intended)
Valdosta, Ga.
Jacob Harper
Major: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication and Journalism
Pelham, Ga.
Waylon Johnson
Major: Chemistry
Danielsville, Ga.
Mollie Beth Johnson
Major: Journalism
Buena Vista, Ga.
Dresden Jolly
Major: Economics (intended), International Business, and Spanish
Dallas, Ga.
Hannah Jones
Major: International Affairs and Political Science
Adairsville, Ga.
Jackson McCorkle
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Thomasville, Ga.
A’Miracle Rhodes
Major: Psychology, Sociology and Women’s Studies
Ashburn, Ga.
Elizabeth Sanders
Major: Agricultural Communications
Milan, Ga.
Wyatt Williams
Major: Economics and Political Science
Vestavia Hills, Ala.
Ivan Zheng
Major: Computer Engineering
Duluth, Ga.