Welcome

Jonathan McCollar is a lifelong advocate for education, equity, and opportunity. With a professional journey rooted in higher education, youth development, and community empowerment, he has dedicated his career to ensuring that young people—especially those from underserved backgrounds—have the resources and support needed to pursue their dreams.

Jonathan’s early work in higher education shaped his belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for social mobility. Through roles supporting student success and college readiness, he gained firsthand insight into the barriers facing students who aspire to earn a degree but lack the financial means, guidance, or exposure needed to thrive. This experience fueled his commitment to expanding pathways for young scholars across Georgia and beyond.

His passion for service led him into the nonprofit sector, where he worked with organizations focused on youth empowerment, cancer awareness, community development, and educational access. In these roles, Jonathan excelled at building relationships, managing regional programs, raising critical funds, and mobilizing volunteers to drive meaningful change. His work consistently centered on helping young people overcome systemic challenges and discover their own potential.

Jonathan’s leadership expanded even further when he was elected Mayor of the City of Statesboro—now serving in his historic third term. As mayor, he has championed youth initiatives, neighborhood revitalization, public transportation, economic development, and equity-based policies that uplift working families. Under his administration, Statesboro has implemented innovative youth programs, strengthened community resources, and emerged as one of the fastest-growing regional hubs in Georgia. His tenure reflects a clear and unwavering belief: when you invest in young people, you invest in the future of an entire community.

Through the McCollar Chase the Dream Scholarship Foundation, Jonathan continues his lifelong mission of opening doors for the next generation. Guided by his own lived experiences and grounded in the belief that talent exists everywhere—even when opportunity does not—he is committed to helping students chase not just a diploma, but the fullness of their dreams.