Press Releases

A collaboration among rural community colleges, ResearchEd, RCCA, and state associations in three states will lay the groundwork for a national network of state rural community college associations.

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ResearchEd today announced the launch of a new initiative that will establish a network of state-level rural community college associations. The created associations will provide professional development and mentorship to community college leaders, identify rural community colleges’ state level priorities to coordinate action, and partner with researchers to build knowledge to advance rural student success. This work is made possible by a $700,000 two year grant from ECMC Foundation. 

The initiative will support the creation of rural community college associations in three states, which will be housed within existing state based host organizations. Selected host organizations will receive subgrants to support the establishment of the rural community college associations, be provided technical assistance, and undergo collaborative strategic planning sessions with their members and ResearchEd to ensure sustainability of the initiative beyond the grant period. 

The associations will operate independently, but act as state affiliate organizations under the umbrella of the Rural Community College Alliance (RCCA), a national non-profit that helps build the capacity of member community colleges to improve the educational and economic prospects for rural America. 

“The intrinsic characteristics of rural community colleges are often discussed as deficits, but their small size, organizational agility, and close ties to the community situate these institutions as potential drivers of both increased student achievement and regional economic growth,” said ResearchEd Executive Director,  Rachel Rush-Marlowe. “To fully realize this potential, rural community colleges must be equipped with appropriate levels of support and infrastructure to address their own challenges as well as the needs of the community that they serve.” 

Through the creation of this national network of state rural community college associations, the initiative aims to support rural community colleges to achieve their full potential and develop evidence-based strategies tailored to rural contexts that can increase individual postsecondary attainment for rural learners, institutional longevity, and community prosperity.

Collaboration among rural community colleges, partner organizations, ResearchEd, and RCCA in the first three states will lay the groundwork for expanding the state rural community college association model to additional states and establishing a national network of state rural community college associations. “We look forward to being able to expand both RCCA’s membership and reach, and the opportunities we can offer to rural colleges through this partnership,” said Chris Breitmeyer, President of RCCA. “Expanding RCCA’s work to include a state affiliate model will allow us to reach more rural communities and deepen our impact.” 

At the conclusion of the grant, ResearchEd will publish findings to inform the broader field, share insights from the network's initial development, and provide a roadmap for expansion into additional states.

If you are a college interested in participating in the initiative, a state entity interested in acting as a host organization, or an organization interested in supporting the expansion of the network please contact info@research-ed.org for more information. 

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About ResearchEd
ResearchEd is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering action through student-centered research. By partnering with schools, communities, and organizations, ResearchEd helps turn research into practical solutions that improve educational opportunities and student success.

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Contact 

Rachel Rush-Marlowe

Executive Director

info@research-ed.org

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