How do I or can I generate the string values of an enumeration from an object or more specifically from a list of string objects.

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C#

.NET

I am relative beginner in C#.
I have a list of objects and each object has a list of properties.
I also have a master template with all the possible or recognized properties that can be assigned.
I want the user to select properties from a drop down list and also want the master template list to be extensible without modifying code and recompiling.
Is there a way to assign string data from the template list to an enumeration?
Or do I just have to hard code it in my class definition?

Any pointers as to where to look in the .NET documentation would be most welcome.

Thanks

What I have tried:

Don't know where to begin on this one. I am sure it requires data/object reflection, but a bit lost on how to apply this to an enumeration.