Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Futures Fellowship Cohort

RCE Greater Atlanta logo.
The SDG Futures Fellowship is aimed at educating students about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), leadership, and professional development. This year-long fellowship program spans the academic year and is open for all college students from the 11 RCE Greater Atlanta affiliated higher education institutions (HEIs). 
 
This is a unique opportunity for students to learn more about sustainability challenges in and around Atlanta and around the world, as well as how communities can organize to tackle these issues. The application for the 2023-2024 cohort closed in October 2023. 

The following students were selected for 2023-24 membership in this prestigious group:

  • Alex Tilghman - Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Alexis McCowin - Kennesaw State University
  • Arlette Zamarron - Georgia Gwinnett College
  • Auriana Hogg - Kennesaw State University
  • Emma Slay - Georgia Gwinnett College
  • Josef Rodriguez - Morehouse College
  • Julia Martinez - Georgia Gwinnett College
  • Kahlea Henry - Spelman College
  • Lily Olander - Agnes Scott College
  • Matthew Adjin-Tettey - Georgia State University
  • Maurice Hall - Emory University
  • Mel Faaroon - Emory University
  • Miles Leecost - Morehouse College
  • Nicholas Stone - Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Praneet Venigalla - University of Georgia
  • Richard Asiamah - Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Shivani Upadhya - Georgia Gwinnett College
  • Taliah Smith - Kennesaw State University
  • Taylor Wollaston - Kennesaw State University

Fellows' Majors:  Accounting, Biology, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Ecology, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science, Health Science, Interdisciplinary Studies, International Business, Management Information Systems, Political Science, and Public Health

The cohort met for the first time on November 4 on the KSU Kennesaw Campus.  That day they gained more insight into the SDGs, while networking with each other and representatives from the eight community partners.  In November the Fellows also took the Global DISC assessment to enhance their cultural and self-awareness, led by trainer Todd Shinholster of Culture Bridge.  

2023-24 Community Partners

Professional Project Mentors:  Maria del Mar Ceballos, Dr. Par Sadeghinia, Shae Smith (all of Kennesaw State University) and Kristina Chatfield (Georgia Institute of Technology).

Fellowship Background

The SDG Futures Fellowship grew out of Kennesaw State University’s Distinguished SDG Ambassador Program, which fostered youth leadership by teaching students about the SDGs through local and global case studies and action projects with community partners from the Global RCE Network and RCE Greater Atlanta. The Fellowship is co-lead by Georgia Institute of Technology and Kennesaw State University, with grant funding from AGREC, and in partnership with the other HEIs within the RCE Greater Atlanta network.
 
The Fellowship provides a minimum six-month leadership and professional development experience for up to 30 students enrolled in RCE Greater Atlanta HEIs.  The RCE Greater Atlanta is a network that is acknowledged by the United Nations University and has been successfully operating since December 2017 with many partnerships in place. RCE Greater Atlanta aims to advance the SDGs through an equity and justice lens model for inclusive and collaborative communities, while nurturing strong youth leaders.  
 
The fellowship program uses the SDGs and the Global RCE Network as a framework for problem-based learning focused on local sustainability challenges. In addition to preparing students to pursue careers that have an impact or incorporate SDG impact into other fields of work, the program promotes long-term partnerships between Fellows, community-based and nonprofit organizations, HEIs, and the RCE Greater Atlanta network. 

The fellowship commits to: 

  • Educating students about the UN SDGs through a justice and equity lens
  • Exposing students to SDG-related problems and solutions both locally and globally  
  • Training students to advance the UN SDGs in their daily and professional lives
  • Helping students incorporate “impact” into their definitions and pathways for career success 

For inquiries, please contact Global Education below.

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