The Rural Fellows (formerly known as the RFI Fellows) program places pairs of students from colleges across our state in rural Nebraska communities for 10 weeks each summer. Host communities identify projects, which the student pairs work on throughout the summer. These projects are often related to economic and community development, entrepreneurship, marketing and early childhood education, but could encompass a multitude of projects that contribute to the sustained success of rural Nebraska.
Since its inception in 2013, the Rural Fellows program has placed between 15 and 30 students in communities each summer. In the summer of 2021, we will place up to 200 students in as many as 100 Nebraska communities as we collectively work toward Chancellor Green’s N2025 goals of broadening UNL’s engagement and ensuring every UNL student has the chance to participate in a meaningful service-learning opportunity.
We are currently accepting applications for 2021 students and communities. Paid internships will begin in May and wrap up in late July. Students will receive inclusive leadership training prior to beginning their internships, as well as mentoring and coaching from both community leaders and the Rural Fellows team throughout the summer. Students can choose to serve in their own hometowns or in other Nebraska communities.
Communities have the opportunity to experience first-hand what we already know is one of the greatest assets of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln—the passion, ingenuity and work ethic of our students. Students, meanwhile, spend an unforgettable summer making a real impact across our state and experiencing a side of Nebraska they might not otherwise see.
Students interested in becoming a Rural Fellow can participate in an informational webinar on Nov. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Interested students may access the Zoom webinar here: https://nebraska.zoom.us/j/91377195059
Application information and additional program details are available at ruralprosperityne.unl.edu/rural-fellows.
Questions? Contact Rural Fellows Program Coordinator Helen Fagan at helen.fagan@unl.edu or 402-770-4664.