2008 Woodie Awards
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Leadership UGA simulates poverty, discusses solutions
BRITTANY EVANS
Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
For one University organization, the desire to solve problems extends further than Lumpkin Street and College Station.
Established in 1985, Leadership UGA is a student leadership program. Sponsored by the Richard R. Russell Foundation, the program teaches students about issues facing the community, the nation and the world.
Each semester, approximately 40 juniors and seniors are selected to participate.
This year's class, after a fall retreat, participated in five specific programs geared toward this year's theme: "Understanding Poverty: What can be done?"
Candice Sherman, adviser of Leadership UGA, said she has been fortunate to work with such amazing students.
The year began with a National Issues forum in conjunction with L.E.A.D. Athens (Leadership, Education, Awareness, Development) at which students watched informational videos on financial struggles. A debate followed the presentation during which possible solutions were discussed.
The group also met with the Partners for a Prosperous Athens Steering Committee for a panel discussion on poverty in the Athens area.
Bobby Akines, a participant and a senior from Lawrenceville, said the experience was beneficial because the group was able to network with community leaders, such as Athens Mayor Heidi Davison.
The students then had the chance to experience poverty through a simulation facilitated by the College of Family and Consumer Science. Each student was given a "family" to maneuver through a simulated small town set up in Georgia Hall. The simulation included DFACS, a grocery store and a bank.
In less than an hour and a half, the students planned how childcare, food and bills would be managed on a limited budget over a four-month period.
"It was really an eye-opening experience," Akines said.
Other activities included Atlanta visits to the Carter Center and the headquarters of Habitat for Humanity.
The Leadership UGA program wrapped up in a graduation ceremony at the Foundry Park Inn, where 38 students joined the ranks of Leadership UGA alumni in February.
Some participants of the newly graduated class said the experience helped them open doors in the community through networking.
"One of the biggest issues at the University is that we can sometimes live in the UGA bubble. We forget people in the community that could really benefit," said Matt Garrett, a graduate adviser for the program.
For more information on Leadership UGA, visit uga.edu/cls.
Established in 1985, Leadership UGA is a student leadership program. Sponsored by the Richard R. Russell Foundation, the program teaches students about issues facing the community, the nation and the world.
Each semester, approximately 40 juniors and seniors are selected to participate.
This year's class, after a fall retreat, participated in five specific programs geared toward this year's theme: "Understanding Poverty: What can be done?"
Candice Sherman, adviser of Leadership UGA, said she has been fortunate to work with such amazing students.
The year began with a National Issues forum in conjunction with L.E.A.D. Athens (Leadership, Education, Awareness, Development) at which students watched informational videos on financial struggles. A debate followed the presentation during which possible solutions were discussed.
The group also met with the Partners for a Prosperous Athens Steering Committee for a panel discussion on poverty in the Athens area.
Bobby Akines, a participant and a senior from Lawrenceville, said the experience was beneficial because the group was able to network with community leaders, such as Athens Mayor Heidi Davison.
The students then had the chance to experience poverty through a simulation facilitated by the College of Family and Consumer Science. Each student was given a "family" to maneuver through a simulated small town set up in Georgia Hall. The simulation included DFACS, a grocery store and a bank.
In less than an hour and a half, the students planned how childcare, food and bills would be managed on a limited budget over a four-month period.
"It was really an eye-opening experience," Akines said.
Other activities included Atlanta visits to the Carter Center and the headquarters of Habitat for Humanity.
The Leadership UGA program wrapped up in a graduation ceremony at the Foundry Park Inn, where 38 students joined the ranks of Leadership UGA alumni in February.
Some participants of the newly graduated class said the experience helped them open doors in the community through networking.
"One of the biggest issues at the University is that we can sometimes live in the UGA bubble. We forget people in the community that could really benefit," said Matt Garrett, a graduate adviser for the program.
For more information on Leadership UGA, visit uga.edu/cls.
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