Apply by Wednesday, July 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Applicants notified of their placement by Friday, July 3 before 5 p.m.
Apply
Overview:
Described recently by The New Yorker as "perhaps as Platonically New England as an area can get," the Upper Valley is known for its covered bridges, working farms, vibrant small towns, and extraordinary natural beauty. But beyond its picturesque landscape lies a dynamic ecosystem of nonprofits, businesses, government institutions, and community leaders working together to address some of the most pressing challenges facing communities today. How do nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and civic leaders enrich the lives of people across the Upper Valley? What happens when local changemakers take on challenges that mirror global-scale issues, from sustainability and transportation to workforce development, housing, food access, and economic resilience?
This deep dive, hosted by the Center for Business, Government & Society, will immerse students in the interconnected ecosystem that shapes life in the Upper Valley. Through conversations with nonprofit executives, board leaders, entrepreneurs, municipal officials, and community builders, participants will explore how governance, cross-sector collaboration, and civic leadership influence the health and vitality of a region.
Students will examine the role nonprofit organizations and small businesses play in strengthening communities, supporting vulnerable populations, preserving regional identity, and driving innovation. The experience will also highlight how local organizations are responding to broader societal pressures, including demographic shifts, transportation access, labor shortages, sustainability challenges, and changing economic conditions.
Participants will engage directly with organizations and leaders working to create pathways to progress at the local level while addressing challenges with national and global implications. The deep dive will encourage students to think critically about the relationship between business, government, and society, and to consider how principled leadership and effective governance can help communities navigate complexity and change.
For students who will call the Upper Valley home during their time at Tuck, this experience offers more than an introduction to a region, it provides an opportunity to understand the people, institutions, and partnerships that make this community both uniquely New England and remarkably innovative. This EDD is ideal for students considering careers in which cross-sector dialogue and problem solving is an important professional competency, as well as nonprofit leadership and board governance, and small business leadership, and civil service roles.
Schedule Notes:
- Day 1 focus: Orientation to the Upper Valley and small-town governance models
- Day 2 focus: The Upper Valley nonprofit ecosystem
- Day 3 focus: Operating businesses in the Upper Valley
Costs:
- There is a $100 non-refundable deposit to participate, upon being accepted into the program.
- Tuck will cover all meals and transportation fees during the trek
- Participants will “cover” housing, meaning that students living on campus will sign up to move into the Tuck residence halls before Wednesday, August 5. Students living off campus should email the Center to explore alternative accommodations, which the Center can subsidize if you are unable to move into your year 1 housing by Tuesday, August 4
Application Process:
- The program will be capped at 10 students, with a minimum of 6 required to move forward with the program.
- Students without prior nonprofit, small business, or civic service experience are encouraged to apply. The EDD is designed for individuals who want to better understand how responsible community engagement models and innovation take shape in non-metropolitan and rural regions, like the Upper Valley.
Questions?
Email the Center for Business, Government & Society.
