AARP Indiana and America Walks accepting applications for the Indiana State Walking College

AARP Indiana and America Walks are excited to announce the Indiana State Walking College.

This initiative is a 6-month, distance-learning fellowship program for walkable/livable community advocates.

“Hoosiers of all ages want to see their communities become more walkable and livable,” Emily Gorman, AARP Indiana director of community engagement, said. “This fellowship will empower our friends and neighbors to advocate for greater connectivity in their communities.”

Fellows will complete a series of modules covering leadership development, coalition-building, walkable community design, local public policy, and strategic planning. The instructional content includes online study materials, video-conferenced discussion forums with other Fellows, and community assignments. Each Fellow will receive one-on-one coaching from a Personal Mentor to assist them in developing a Walking Action Plan for their community.

The overall goal of the Walking College curriculum is to build the capacity of local advocates to advance policy, systems, and environment change to create healthy, walkable communities throughout the state.

Training modules focus on the following areas:

1. How We Got Here – transportation policy, systemic injustice, accessible communities

2. Developing Leadership - inspiring others, story-telling, starting a movement, cultivating champions

3. Organizing for Change - strategic communications, campaigns and organizing, events and programs

4. Designing for People - walk audits, pedestrian infrastructure, traffic calming, place-making

5. Shifting Public Policy - local government, public policy, complete streets, vision zero, resisting gentrification

6. Planning a Strategy - strategic planning, bringing it all together, your Walking Action Plan

Residents of Indiana who are interested in the program and able to commit about 5 hours per week (from May to September) are invited to complete this online application form by March 10.

Fellowships are limited and the application process is competitive.

Please contact AARP Indiana’s Emily Gorman or America Walks’ Ian Thomas with any questions.