The Rural and Community Development minor equips students with the knowledge and skills important for administering both public-and private-sector human-relations programs that serve the residents of small towns and rural communities as well as special-needs populations, such as the elderly and disabled. Students in the minor learn how to use community-based research to resolve environmental problems, make food and agriculture more sustainable, and pursue vibrant, equitable growth in rural places. The minor is housed in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, which is the foundation of the minor’s focus on rural economic development and strengthening communities.

The Lowder Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurship (LCFBE) is an outreach program designed to augment the success of local family businesses. By addressing the needs and unique experiences of small business owners, the LCFBE fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and the overall well-being of its participants. Programs include leadership development and sustainable management planning, as well as business resiliency when adapting to economic and organizational stimuli. The LCFB’s training and education program provides guest lecturers from successful family businesses and various site visits. The LCFBE also connects students to the Auburn Entrepreneurship Program, relevant mentors and advisors, and networking events regarding small businesses.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), housed in the Harbert College of Business, is guided by a vision of growing Alabama’s economy by empowering and assisting Alabama’s robust small business community. Nearly half of Alabama’s workforce is employed by small businesses. Starting a new business can be difficult, handling cash flow, employees, and loans. The SBDC at Auburn University serves eight counties in the area, offering personal consultation concerning many aspects of small business development to encourage Alabama residents to build new businesses. Alabama residents have the opportunity to use the Center’s expertise and advice concerning many aspects for starting a business.

Dr. Duha Altindag of the College of Liberal Arts is an Associate Professor of Economics studying the economic analysis of crime, health knowledge, happiness, and the consequences of joblessness. Dr. Altindag studies how such areas coincide with health and labor economics. Dr. Altindag also explores applied econometrics, law and economics, and consequently, results on overall well-being. Studies include the links between education and re-employment, along with the modern effects of COVID-19 on productivity at universities, especially at Auburn University.

Drs. Sarah Stanwick and Peter Stanwick are Associate Professors in the Harbert College of Business with research efforts in environmental accounting, ethical issues for managers and accountants, and social responsibility issues. Dr. Sarah Stanwick teaches classes for the Alabama Prison Arts and Education Project, and is a key developer for the Tiger$ense financial literacy fair. Her work has been included in various publications, such as the Journal of Business Ethics, the CPA Journal, and Business Strategy and the Environment. In 2020, both professors authored a textbook on Corporate Sustainability Leadership, depicting the ethical intersections of stakeholder and business relations.

The Graduate Minor in Economic Development in the College of Education is designed to address the state’s need for professional education and training in economic development. Academic economic development programs provide current and future professionals with the tools needed to lead successful community and regional economic development projects. Economic developers face a new environment characterized by an increasingly global economy and innovative partnerships between the public and private sectors. The minor features a strong academic orientation along with the opportunity to engage in practical experiences through special research projects.