With support from ECMC Foundation, Ithaka S+R is forming a network of rural-serving institutions supporting student success and economic mobility. The two-year grant will help rural-serving institutions support community college transfer students and adult learners, and align their program offerings with local workforce needs.

Rural-serving institutions are engines of opportunity and vital to their communities. Yet, many face unique challenges: shifting demographics, declining enrollment, and limited resources. Boosting enrollment, improving student outcomes, and aligning degree offerings with local and regional labor market needs can help, but many rural-serving institutions need additional support to tackle these challenges together.

To offer this support, Ithaka S+R, in collaboration with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), is launching the Rural-Serving Institution Student Success Network. Through technical assistance, capacity building, and peer connection, this new initiative will help rural-serving institutions share strategies, strengthen student success programs, and align academic offerings with local workforce needs. The lessons learned from this network will generate actionable insights that can benefit rural-serving institutions across the country.

The Rural Student Success Network is supported through an $860,000 grant from ECMC Foundation’s Rural Impact Initiative, which is dedicated to improving postsecondary access and success in rural communities with an emphasis on building institutional capacity, deepening understanding of the strengths and challenges of rural-serving institutions, and advancing strategies that increase completion rates. The Network and the efforts of its participants are an extension of this vision and promise to expand postsecondary opportunities for rural learners everywhere.

Network activities will focus on three priority areas: helping community college transfer students complete their bachelor’s degree, enrolling and supporting adult learners, and aligning academic offerings with local and regional labor market needs. By focusing on these interconnected priorities, institutions can strengthen student outcomes, enhance economic mobility, and better meet the needs of their local communities.

“As stewards of place for their regions and communities, rural-serving institutions are essential drivers of educational attainment and regional economic vitality. This opportunity will help rural AASCU members amplify their impact, expand opportunity for all students, and strengthen pathways to economic mobility.”

– Lisa R. Hunter, Associate Vice President of Academic Innovation and Transformation, AASCU

If your institution is interested in joining this network, please join us for an information session on Tuesday, September 23 at 2:00 p.m. ET. Applications to join are due Friday, October 3, and institutions selected to participate will be notified by Tuesday, October 14. To learn more, visit our Request for Participation page or reach out directly to Christy McDaniel (christy.mcdaniel@ithaka.org).