Lipscomb University launched a new Rural Leadership Scholars Program, an initiative designed to develop leaders across Tennessee with a particular focus on those from the state's 70 designated rural counties.
Lipscomb announced its first partnership in the program Thursday with the University of Tennessee at Martin.
The partnership means that students can earn an undergraduate degree at UT Martin and a Master of Arts degree in Leadership and Public Service from Lipscomb's College of Leadership and Public Service.
According to Lipscomb's press release, students who plan to return to a rural community can greatly reduce the cost of the last two years of the undergraduate degree as well as the master's degree.
The goal is to produce master's degree-educated rural leaders who will commit their careers to rural areas in the state.