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President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program

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Georgia Southwestern State University is honored to carry forward the legacy of GSW alumnus and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter with the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program. “I have always had a close attachment to Georgia Southwestern, and I am honored to be associated with their new leadership program,” said Carter upon the program’s establishment. “They invested in me as a student over 75 years ago, and I want to do the same for the future leaders in our region. I’m very proud of the partnerships that continue to be made at my favorite college.” In sharing his name with GSW’s new leadership program, President Carter has made a permanent impression on students in Southwest Georgia, who now have the opportunity to interact with many of the campus’ and state’s most influential and creative individuals.

Student Resources

Apply to PJCLP

Community Impact

Curriculum & Opportunities

Lessons in Leadership

Students in the Carter Leadership Program will have a variety of service partners within reach to meet their leadership and volunteer goals.

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Program Contact

President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program

Courtney Ellis
Interim Program Coordinator
Student Success Center Room 3416

229-928-1387
courtney.ellis@gsw.edu

Members

Resources

Scholarship Opportunities

Students in the Carter Leadership Program will receive a scholarship of $2,000 each year they are in the program for up to four years. This is in addition to any further scholarships the student may be eligible for. This program is made possible thanks to generous support from the Charles L. Mix Memorial Fund; therefore, recipients of this scholarship will be known as Mix Scholars.

Program Requirements

Year 1

First Year Requirements:

  • Verify membership and engagement in two campus organizations, including varsity sports.
  • 40 Hours of Community Service—with a minimum of 20 hours in the Fall
  • Attend at least 10 events on campus each semester
  • Complete 1 leadership course each semester
  • Live on campus for both Fall and Spring semesters
  • Carry out group project

Year 2

Second Year Requirements:

  • Assume leadership role in one of the two campus organizations that you are involved in
  • 15 hours of community service in the Fall
    • 45 in the Spring come from Internship
  • Attend at least 10 events on campus each semester
  • Complete 1 leadership course each semester
  • Live on campus for both Fall and Spring semesters
  • Be a positive mentor/leader to the students in the cohort below you
  • Attend service project trip during Spring Break

Year 3

Third Year Requirements:

  • Maintain leadership roles in organizations on campus
  • 15 hours of community service in the Fall
    • 45 in the Spring come from Internship
  • Attend at least 10 events on campus each semester
  • Complete 1 leadership course each semester
  • Be a positive mentor/leader to the students in the cohorts below you
  • Begin working on Capstone Project

Year 4

Fourth Year Requirements:

  • Maintain leadership roles in organizations on campus
  • 15 hours of community service in the Fall
    • 45 in the Spring come from working on/carrying out capstone project
  • Attend at least 10 events on campus each semester
  • Complete 1 leadership course each semester
  • Be a positive mentor/leader to the students in the cohorts below you
  • Carry out Capstone Project
  • Graduate

Students Who May Graduate in less than Four Years

President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program students can receive their scholarship for a maximum of 4 years, 8 semesters. Students who graduate with their baccalaureate degrees in less than four years will have 1 of 2 options if they wish to complete the requirements of the program:

  1. If the student does not wish to enroll in a graduate degree or second bachelor’s degree program at Georgia Southwestern State University, the student could meet with the program coordinator to discuss speeding up the timeline of their program curriculum track. The program curriculum has been revamped to allow PJCLP students to alter the curriculum track to their particular anticipated graduation date.
  2. If the student chooses to enroll in a graduate degree or a second bachelor’s degree program at Georgia Southwestern State University following their bachelor’s degree completion or as a Double Cane, the student will need to continue to meet all semesterly requirements of the program including:
  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average each semester
  • Meet the volunteer service hour requirement each semester
  • Be actively involved in the completion PJCLP and their cohort
  • Continue to participate as a leader on campus 

If the above standards are met each prior semester, the student will continue to receive the annual scholarship for a total of four years (eight semesters, excluding summer term).

“

My favorite memory during my time in the leadership program was when our cohort had the opportunity to meet and sit with Jimmy Carter while he spoke about his life and leadership. It was an opportunity I knew not everyone would be awarded.

Emma Carter, '23 Nursing
McDonough, Georgia