River Bluff student accepted into Emerging Public Leaders program

Greenville, SC - The Riley Institute at Furman University has announced its 2018-2019 class of Emerging Public Leaders (EPL). Launched in 2002 by the Riley Institute, EPL is an intensive, statewide service-oriented leadership program for rising high school seniors.

EPL has accepted 16 rising high school seniors from across South Carolina for its 16th class, bringing the total number of students who have participated in the program to 244.

River Bluff High School's Lauren Garrison was one of those 16 students.

Students will convene June 17-22 on the Furman campus where they will investigate topics such as engaging in the community, analyzing critical issues, practicing ethical leadership, developing communication and presentation skills, and planning for the implementation of a service project. Thanks to generous sponsors including Cox Industries, State Farm, Walmart, and the Pazdan family, students attend EPL free of charge.

Following the summer, students work with Riley Institute staff, school officials, and residents in their communities to further develop their service project ideas and implement projects that address diversity and specific needs in their communities.

The students return to campus the following spring to present their community service projects to a panel of judges, and the winning project receives funds for program expansion or replication.

Learn more about the Riley Institute’s Emerging Public Leaders program here, or contact program director Melanie Armstrong at the Riley Institute at (864) 294-3546 or andmelanie.armstrong@furman.edu.