The Rural Youth Voices Initiative

Background and Purpose

The Rural Youth Voices Initiative seeks to empower rural youth to better serve their communities, reshape dominant narratives about rural engagement, and encourage rural-serving organizations to center youth voices.

We are recruiting up to fifteen Fellows aged 18–24 with lived experience in rural communities. Young people from across the United States and its territories, especially those passionate about civic engagement and community storytelling, are encouraged to apply for this paid fellowship.

The initiative is led by Hannah Botts, a Campus Compact Student Design Fellow, with mentorship, fiscal sponsorship, and technical support from Campus Compact staff.

Student-Led Program Outcomes

Each Fellow will design and produce a project that highlights rural youth voices and what they wish others knew about rural youth engagement. These are just examples, and Fellows are encouraged to design projects that reflect their own community's needs, values, and vision.

• Running a service program focused on bringing rural youth together
• Creating a video series highlighting youth voices
• Making a collective art piece that unites rural youth in their community
• Conducting a community listening project to uplift rural youth voices on issues that matter to them

In addition, each Fellow will serve as an advisor in the creation of a report (led by Hannah) on the state of rural youth service and engagement, including how organizations can best support rural youth moving forward.

Benefits for Student Fellows 

• Each Fellow receives $500 to support a narrative change or civic engagement project, as well as a $500 personal stipend for their time.
• Fellows will be part of a cohort of up to 15 rural youths who meet biweekly over the summer and early fall to build community, share resources, and engage in personal and professional development.
• Fellows will gain an opportunity to amplify their voices and their rural community.

Who Should Apply?

• Youth aged 18-24 with lived experience in a rural community, across the United States and its territories.
• Preference will be given to youth who are currently doing organized work alongside other young people (ages 16-24) within rural communities.
• We welcome applicants at all levels of experience, especially those who are emerging leaders passionate about service and storytelling.

Program Timeline

• June 13: Priority deadline to apply
• June 20: Final deadline to apply
• Mid-June – Late June: Application review and cohort selection
• July – Early September: Fellowship program runs:
  • Biweekly cohort meetings for development and connection
  • Project implementation in your own community
  • Contribution to a national report on rural youth engagement
• September: Final reflection and share-out

Note: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis if space remains.

Next Steps

• For Rural Youth: Submit an application through our form! All applications will be due on June 20th, but priority will be given to applications received by June 13th.
• For Recommenders: If you are a faculty, staff, mentor, teacher, or family member with a student in mind for this Fellowship, please send them to our application form.
• For Report Contributors: If you are currently doing work aligned with Hannah’s initiative and want to learn more, or would like to schedule a meeting to contribute to the findings of this program’s report, fill out our interest form.