Dr. Andrew Koricich, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies recently chaired a symposium session titled, "What Do We Know, and What Should We Know about How America's Rural Community Colleges Promote Access and Economic Development," at the 2017 Annual Conference of the Council for the Study of Community Colleges in Fort Worth, Texas.
This symposium included panelists from a range of backgrounds:
- Dr. Andrew Koricich, Assistant Professor, Appalachian State University: shared research and insights on the various ways in which rural community colleges provide postsecondary access, as well as promote economic development through adult and developmental education, small business incubation, vocational training, and expanded baccalaureate programs.
- Dr. Joanna Biernacka-Lievestro, Senior Research Associate, The Pew Charitable Trusts: presented recent research on community poverty and how postsecondary education promotes economic mobility in families and communities.
- Dr. Stephen Katsinas, Professor and Director of the Education Policy Center, The University of Alabama: shared insights gathered from decades of research on rural community colleges and visits to more than 400 community colleges across the country.
- Dr. Larry Mendez, Chief Information Officer, Tyler Junior College: presented results from recent research on how the Ford Foundation's Rural Community College Initiative helped advance the activities at a rural community college in southwest Texas.
This symposium was delivered to provide a forum to learn and discuss the most pressing issues facing rural community colleges and the communities and residents they serve. There was lively discussion among the panelists and attendees, and Koricich will be collaborating with the other panelists to produce a policy brief on these issues.
Earlier this academic year, Koricich was appointed as a research fellow with the Education Policy Center in order to advance his research and policy advocacy activities related to rural and distressed communities and rural-serving postsecondary institutions.
Andrew Koricich
