Strengthening Rural Water Resilience Through Facilitated Peer Mentoring
Faculty Mentor
Lacey Huffling
Location
Savannah Ballroom
Type of Research
Published
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
College of Education
Department
Middle Grades and Secondary Education
Abstract
Access to safe drinking water remains a critical challenge in the United States, particularly for rural utilities burdened by aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, and limited financial capacity. Approximately 90% of U.S. public water systems serve fewer than 10,000 people, often lacking the resources to respond effectively to these complex tasks. This study piloted a facilitated peer-to-peer mentoring model between two rural municipalities in the southeastern U.S. representing different stages of infrastructure modernization.
The program consisted of five structured, one-hour virtual sessions facilitated by a university partner to focus on infrastructure challenges, community communication, workforce development, funding, and future planning. Qualitative analysis of the sessions revealed that while participants shared common burdens—such as pipes dating back to the 1800s and significant recruitment difficulties—the collaborative environment encouraged a forward-looking focus. Participants devoted nearly half of their discussion time (46%) to identifying opportunities rather than solely focusing on issues or barriers.
The findings demonstrate that Municipality 1 was able to validate the challenges of Municipality 2 while providing peer-reviewed information to facilitate future solutions. Participants reported the highest possible satisfaction scores (5/5) across all surveyed parameters, including the quality of mentorship and the development of problem-solving abilities. By utilizing an academic facilitator to manage logistics, the model reduced the administrative burden on utility staff, making it a viable, low-cost, and scalable strategy for strengthening local expertise and enhancing the resilience of rural water systems nationwide.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-21-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-21-2026 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Quick, Takeisha R.; Aslan, Asli; Huffling, Lacey; and Thaler, Mary, "Strengthening Rural Water Resilience Through Facilitated Peer Mentoring" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 40.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026A/2026A/40
Strengthening Rural Water Resilience Through Facilitated Peer Mentoring
Savannah Ballroom
Access to safe drinking water remains a critical challenge in the United States, particularly for rural utilities burdened by aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, and limited financial capacity. Approximately 90% of U.S. public water systems serve fewer than 10,000 people, often lacking the resources to respond effectively to these complex tasks. This study piloted a facilitated peer-to-peer mentoring model between two rural municipalities in the southeastern U.S. representing different stages of infrastructure modernization.
The program consisted of five structured, one-hour virtual sessions facilitated by a university partner to focus on infrastructure challenges, community communication, workforce development, funding, and future planning. Qualitative analysis of the sessions revealed that while participants shared common burdens—such as pipes dating back to the 1800s and significant recruitment difficulties—the collaborative environment encouraged a forward-looking focus. Participants devoted nearly half of their discussion time (46%) to identifying opportunities rather than solely focusing on issues or barriers.
The findings demonstrate that Municipality 1 was able to validate the challenges of Municipality 2 while providing peer-reviewed information to facilitate future solutions. Participants reported the highest possible satisfaction scores (5/5) across all surveyed parameters, including the quality of mentorship and the development of problem-solving abilities. By utilizing an academic facilitator to manage logistics, the model reduced the administrative burden on utility staff, making it a viable, low-cost, and scalable strategy for strengthening local expertise and enhancing the resilience of rural water systems nationwide.
