The Pathway to Success Programs of Distinction Goal 4 – Initiative 1

The Pathway to Success Introduction Indiana State University's Strategic Plan, envisions a culture where its graduates are productive citizens of the world in which they live. Through a shared commitment of improving the communities of its students and graduates, the University has a strong desire to address the needs of surrounding rural communities from which the majority of its students migrate. Leadership resides in the newly established (RUEDI), to provide engagement and research and a learning platform to improve the economic health and stability of rural regions and small towns through collaboration with rural school districts, external businesses, industry, civic organizations, government and academic stakeholders. 1.To enhance regional educational attainment by encouraging completion of high school and post-secondary education. 2. To support existing rural commercial activity. 3. To increase new business starts. 4. To expand job creation. 5. To create, grow and attract rural entrepreneurs. 6. To raise per capita incomes in rural counties. Purpose

The Pathway to Success Methods The goals for realizing the full potential of the Rural-Urban Entrepreneurship Development Institute (RUEDI) include: 1. Provide entrepreneur training and exposure to K-12 students in rural Indiana public schools. 2. Provide a new Rural Entrepreneurship undergraduate major and minor at Indiana State University. 3. Improve information and support services to rural small businesses in Indiana. 4. Broaden the market for locally produced agricultural products by forming regional producer-consumer food cooperatives and networks.

Benchmarks GoalInitiative Impact/Importance to Goal(s) Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall Engage rural school districts in the Creating Entrepreneurs Program HHH 21Implement undergraduate major and minor in rural entrepreneurship HHH 31Improve information and support services to small businesses in Indiana HHH 41Broaden the market for locally produced agricultural products by forming regional producer food coops HHH The Pathway to Success

Benchmarks The Pathway to Success Initiative Benchmarks Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014 Identify rural school districts to participate in the Creating Entrepreneurship Program 10 Graduate students from the Creating Entrepreneurship Program Increase the number of business starts in the rural areas impacted by the Creating Entrepreneurship Program 20 Increase enrollment by offering undergraduate major and minor in rural entrepreneurship 10 Improve satisfaction rates of services provided to rural entrepreneurs 10% Increase institution’s commitment to rural economic development initiatives of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) 234 Develop a new producer-consumer foo cooperative 12 Submitted grant to United States department of Agriculture (USDA) for grant to support development of a rural cooperative $225 K

The Pathway to Success Discussion The Rural-Urban Entrepreneurship Development Institute (RUEDI) has had some success in a short period of time with limited resources. Through the efforts of those associated with the initiative the following successes have been achieved. 1. Indiana State University has joined the other public institutions to promote rural economic development by becoming a member of the Indiana Rural Roundtable. 2. Indiana State University helped plan the Indiana Rural Summit Summit in Indianapolis in December of Indiana State University will host the Indiana Rural Summit at Indiana State University in December Indiana State University has joined the Education Meeting Group of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) to promote economic development in rural counties and small towns throughout Indiana. 5. The RUEDI has submitted a grant application to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund a rural community development in the Terre Haute area. 6. The RUEDI has submitted a proposal to Unbound Possibilities to support the institute and is a finalist for funding.

The Pathway to Success Summary RUEDI's primary objective is that by 2016, in the counties impacted by the Institute, there will be an average 10 percent increase in new business starts compared to the rate prior to RUEDI's involvement. This will be achieved through the four programs in the Purpose Section. Outcomes of RUEDI's four initial programs will include an increased awareness and comfort level by elementary and secondary school students of entrepreneurial skills and starting new businesses. ISU will offer undergraduate students the opportunity of a major and minor in rural entrepreneurship. RUEDI will work with groups from Indiana and other states to define and provide programs and information to support Indiana's rural small businesses. And, a network cooperative will be formed to match institutional food buyers with local food producers and farmers' markets.