Toward Rural Prosperity: A State Policy Framework in Support of Rural Community Colleges Sarah Rubin, MDC, Inc. RCCA Conference October 9, 2002

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Rural America in Trouble “Significant portions of rural America are in trouble … the slow slide to no longer being viable – economically, socially, or politically – is within sight.” Karl Stauber, President Northwest Area Foundation

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Income, Poverty, & Jobs NonmetroMetro Median Household Income (2000) $32,800$45,000 Poverty Rate (2000) 13.4%10.8% Jobs per 100 People (1997)

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Educational Attainment 2000, Age 18+

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Persistent Poverty Poverty rate of 20%+ in every Census, nonmetro counties – nearly 1 in 4 – have “persistent poverty”

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 The Rural Development Dilemma A community can’t attract or develop jobs without an educated workforce. But – a community can’t retain educated workers without a healthy economy.

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Rural Community College Initiative (RCCI) Community colleges have unique ability to address the rural development dilemma Twin goals Expand access to education Build the foundation for a stronger economy

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Community Colleges “Rural community colleges can bring together the institutional, human, and capital resources needed to jump-start chronically distressed rural economies.” George B. Autry Founding President, MDC

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Implications for State Policy Rural regions would benefit from more RCCI-like leadership by community colleges. How can states encourage and enable more rural colleges to take on this broader mission?

State Policy Issues Rural Community Colleges Workforce Preparation Technology Funding Governance Access to Education Economic & Community Development

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Economic and Community Development Use rural colleges as “civic conveners.” Reward community service. Include rural colleges as partners in regional development initiatives. Use colleges for small business assistance and entrepreneurship education.

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Access to Education Keep community college tuition and fees affordable. Enable colleges to serve a diverse student population. Fund counseling and support services. Help students overcome distance barriers.

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Access to Education, cont. Support partnerships to prepare low- income youth for college. Provide sufficient resources for developmental education, literacy, and basic skills instruction. Make ABE and GED programs compatible with needs and learning styles of low-literacy adults.

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Workforce Preparation Designate community colleges as “presumptive deliverers.” Mandate collaboration among workforce agencies. Fund non-credit workforce instruction. Enable TANF recipients and the working poor to train for better jobs.

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Technology Ensure that rural areas have competitive telecommunications infrastructure with fair pricing. Ensure that small, rural colleges have adequate IT equipment and staffing.

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Funding Economies of scale – impact on small colleges Base funding Low-wealth tax districts – equalization and capital funding Funding for new initiatives Regional partnerships for greater economies of scale

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Governance Does the governance system for community colleges reflect their critical role in preparing the 21 st -century workforce?

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Tribal Colleges Increase federal appropriations. Seek state support for facilities and non-Indian students.

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 Questions How does your state measure up in support for rural colleges and rural development? In today’s budget climate, how can we advocate for an aggressive access and community development mission?

(c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002 For More Information: MDC – RCCI –