Over the last year, the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships has worked closely with the Office of Community-Engaged Learning (CELO) to facilitate meaningful partnership development as a complement to the Faculty Fellows professional development opportunity, specifically for faculty engaged in community resilience efforts in Vermont.

The Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships supports opportunities for students to participate in community-engaged learning and the subsequent opportunities that arise from partnerships that center both community needs and student experience. In 2026, we are launching a pilot grant program that provides 14 months of support for faculty and community partners to develop, carry out, and report impact on a new or existing community-engaged learning opportunity.