Parents Leadership Council surpasses $10M fundraising milestone for student programs

Parent-funded program makes a direct impact on student life  

The University of Georgia Parents Leadership Council (PLC) was founded in 2012 and awarded nearly $145,000 to 22 organizations in its first year. Today, PLC supports 142 organizations and has awarded a record-breaking $10 million to undergraduate student programs, scholarship funds and various resources across campus over the last 14 years. 

The PLC Grants Program raised $1.6 million to support student programs during the 2025-26 academic year. This group of highly engaged UGA parents gives an annual gift of $5,000 or more per family, which is directed to different campus organizations and initiatives that enhance student life. Among the initiatives benefitting from the PLC’s fundraising efforts this academic year are the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities, Embark@UGA and the Office of Student Success and Achievement Peer Education Program. 

The PLC also chose to contribute $100,000 to the President’s Venture Fund, which supports students with funding in amounts typically ranging from $500 to $5,000 for small programs and projects that take place on campus. This year, the PLC’s commitment to improving the college experience for students was clearly reflected in the programs supported.  

Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities 

The Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) — housed in the Morehead Honors College — is a program designed to connect undergraduates with faculty-mentored research opportunities regardless of discipline, major, or GPA as early as their first year. Andrea Siletti, CURO program coordinator, launched Café CURO, an initiative designed to build community engagement and elevate the undergraduate researcher experience. 

Café CURO serves as informal space for community connections and is open to anyone involved in or interested in getting involved in undergraduate research. Made possible by grant funding through the PLC, Café CURO debuted at the 2024 CURO Symposium and currently runs throughout the academic year and collaborates with schools, colleges and interest groups across campus, such as the College of Engineering and the Georgia Museum of Art. 

“It’s been so much fun to watch students with different interests come together to chat over coffee or boba and learn more about the research enterprise at UGA beyond the boundaries of their individual project or lab,” said Andrea Silletti. 

Embark@UGA 

Housed in the UGA Office of Student Care and Outreach, Embark@UGA is a program assisting students who have experienced foster care, homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. Embark@UGA connects students to an individualized support network designed to help them navigate UGA by connecting them with campus and community resources that are reflective of their unique needs and circumstances. 

With the help of donations through the PLC, the program is able to host community events and provide support funding to students. This spring, the program is preparing to celebrate its graduates by helping them purchase graduation regalia and inviting them to take professional graduation photos. 

“[Embark@UGA] stepped in with compassion, guidance and resources at the exact times I felt like everything was slipping through my fingers. Whether it was helping me navigate unexpected financial stress, connecting me to campus support, or simply reminding me that I wasn’t alone, they made it possible for me to keep going when I genuinely thought I wouldn’t be able to figure things out,” said a UGA graduate in the Embark@UGA program. 

Office of Student Success and Achievement Peer Education Program 

The Peer Education Program through UGA’s Office of Student Success and Achievement (OSSA) provides free undergraduate tutoring services to all current UGA Students. Peer Tutors in this program not only seek to improve student content understanding, but also to build confidence, communication skills and academic self-efficacy in the students they mentor.  

To increase student awareness about the program, OSSA used funds awarded from PLC grants to host an open house so students could learn more about our programs, including free peer tutoring, academic coaching, support for first-generation students and more. 

“The open house was crucial in helping to spread the word about OSSA’s services to students on campus,” said Stephanie Butler, senior communications coordinator for OSSA. “More than 115 students attended and were able to learn more about our resources and how to access them. We were able to connect with students who had never heard of OSSA who now have access to resources to help them succeed.” 

By contributing to student programs and organizations like these each year, the dedicated parents of the PLC are not only supporting their own students during their time on campus, but also the well-being, safety and academic success of every UGA student. 

“As a UGA parent, it is truly inspiring to see how this group cares for students,” said Jill Walton, vice president for development and alumni relations. “We are deeply grateful for everything the PLC does for UGA students and extremely proud of the profound impact they have on our campus.”