{"id":728,"date":"2025-07-08T17:47:34","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T17:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/?page_id=728"},"modified":"2025-09-10T14:16:52","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T14:16:52","slug":"youth-education-and-rural-vitality","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/rigs\/youth-education-and-rural-vitality\/","title":{"rendered":"Youth, Education, and Rural Vitality"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-728\" data-postid=\"728\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-728 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_tlyn991 tb_first tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_eair992 first\">\n                    <!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_d985344 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <h1 class=\"fancy-heading\">\n    <span class=\"main-head tf_block\">\n                    Youth, Education, and Rural Vitality Research and Interest Group            <\/span>\n\n    \n    <span class=\"sub-head tf_block tf_rel\">\n                    Supporting youth, strengthening schools, and sustaining rural communities            <\/span>\n    <\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module fancy heading -->\n<!-- Breadcrumbs module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-breadcrumbs tb_h92w407 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<nav role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"tbp_breadcrumb_trail\"><ul class=\"tbp_trail_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/BreadcrumbList\"><meta name=\"numberOfItems\" content=\"1\" \/><meta name=\"itemListOrder\" content=\"Ascending\" \/><li itemprop=\"itemListElement\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ListItem\" class=\"tbp_trail_item tbp_trail_end\"><a itemprop=\"item\" href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/\" rel=\"home\"><span itemprop=\"name\">Home<\/span><\/a><meta itemprop=\"position\" content=\"1\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><!-- \/Breadcrumbs module -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_ezkq378 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_6fqi378 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_i0gr447   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3 data-start=\"474\" data-end=\"497\">What We\u2019re About<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"742\" data-end=\"1158\">The Youth, Education, and Rural Vitality Research Interest Group brings together scholars and practitioners committed to examining the complex relationships between youth development, educational opportunity, and community well-being in rural places. We focus on how schools, local organizations, and policies can support the success of rural youth and the sustainability of the communities in which they live.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1532\">This RIG encourages interdisciplinary work that critically explores how education systems, demographic change, social inequality, and local culture intersect to shape outcomes for rural children, families, and communities. Our goal is to generate scholarship that informs both theory and practice and contributes to meaningful improvements in rural education and vitality.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_jmlk529 tb_gs591685 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_8y0r70   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Annual Dues:<\/h3>\n<h4>Regular Members &#8211; $5<br>Student Members &#8211; $5<\/h4>\n<h4>Get Involved:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Attend our sessions and networking events at the RSS Annual Meeting<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Participate in planning discussions or propose new activities<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Contact our leadership team to get connected<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module buttons -->\n<div  class=\"module module-buttons tb_bwuw860 buttons-horizontal solid   rounded tb_gs125683\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"module-buttons-item tf_in_flx\">\n                        <a href=\"\/membership\/account\/profile?registration=%2Fmembership-purchase%2F\" class=\"ui builder_button tf_in_flx tb_default_color\" >\n                                    <em><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-hands-helping\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-hands-helping\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>                                        Join our RIG                                        <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<!-- \/module buttons -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_iuhv963 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_30ky963 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_qgxj935   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>What We Do and How to Get Involved<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1579\" data-end=\"1738\">The Youth, Education, and Rural Vitality RIG provides a space for collaboration, mentorship, and engagement on issues related to rural youth and education. We:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1740\" data-end=\"2247\">\n<li data-start=\"1740\" data-end=\"1867\">\n<p data-start=\"1742\" data-end=\"1867\">Organize paper sessions and roundtables at the RSS Annual Meeting that highlight current research and community-based work.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1868\" data-end=\"2014\">\n<p data-start=\"1870\" data-end=\"2014\">Connect researchers and educators across disciplines who are interested in advancing equity, opportunity, and resilience in rural communities.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2015\" data-end=\"2137\">\n<p data-start=\"2017\" data-end=\"2137\">Promote dialogue on the role of rural schools, youth-serving institutions, and public policy in shaping rural futures.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2138\" data-end=\"2247\">\n<p data-start=\"2140\" data-end=\"2247\">Support emerging scholars and encourage practitioner engagement to bridge research and real-world impact.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2249\" data-end=\"2508\">To get involved, join the RIG when renewing or initiating your RSS membership. Attend our annual sessions and business meeting, submit proposals to present your work, and help shape the conversation about youth, education, and the future of rural communities.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module buttons -->\n<div  class=\"module module-buttons tb_m4vx385 buttons-horizontal solid   rounded tb_gs125683\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"module-buttons-item tf_in_flx\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/annual-meeting\/\" class=\"ui builder_button tf_in_flx tb_default_color\" >\n                                    <em><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-angle-double-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-angle-double-right\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>                                        Join us at our Annual Meeting                                        <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"module-buttons-item tf_in_flx\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/rigs\/volunteer-to-help\/?rig=14\" class=\"ui builder_button tf_in_flx tb_default_color\" >\n                                    <em><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-hand\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-hand\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>                                        Volunteer to Help Organize                                        <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"module-buttons-item tf_in_flx\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/rigs\/contact-leadership-team\/?rig=14\" class=\"ui builder_button tf_in_flx tb_default_color\" >\n                                    <em><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-envelope-circle-check\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-envelope-circle-check\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>                                        Contact the Leadership Team                                        <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<!-- \/module buttons -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_5vvp977 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_o6ph978 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_vwg4390   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Leadership:<\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"ddl1742\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_ddl1742 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top gutter-narrow tb_col_count_3 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_mbd4742 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_9f6r556 image-center circle  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/wPfrenger-125x125.png\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-3509\" title=\"wPfrenger\" alt=\"wPfrenger\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module accordion -->\n<div  class=\"module module-accordion tb_w54l146 \" data-behavior=\"toggle\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <ul class=\"ui module-accordion   tb_default_color\">\n            <li>\n            <div class=\"accordion-title tf_rel\">\n                <a href=\"#acc-w54l146-0\" class=\"tb_title_accordion\" aria-controls=\"acc-w54l146-0-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                    <i class=\"accordion-icon\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-angle-down\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-angle-down\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    <i class=\"accordion-active-icon tf_hide\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-angle-up\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-angle-up\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    <span class=\"accordion-title-wrap\">Wendy Pfrenger, Co-Chair<\/span>                <\/a>\n            <\/div><!-- .accordion-title -->\n            <div id=\"acc-w54l146-0-content\" data-id=\"acc-w54l146-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"accordion-content tf_hide tf_clearfix\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_inqj146\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column tb_l9n2146 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_yxu3146   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW158412005 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW158412005 BCX0\">University of Mississippi<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW158412005 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<br><\/span><\/strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW62099724 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW62099724 BCX0\">wendyp@olemiss.edu<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW62099724 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Bio:\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW219616790 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW219616790 BCX0\">Wendy <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW219616790 BCX0\">Pfrenger<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW219616790 BCX0\"> (she\/her) currently serves as the Director of <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW219616790 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.outreach.olemiss.edu\/pre_college\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW219616790 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW219616790 BCX0\">Pre-College Programs<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW219616790 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW219616790 BCX0\"> at the University of Mississippi. In this role, she works to connect communities and youth to opportunities for higher education. Her research interests center on postsecondary access and success for rural people.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW219616790 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><!-- .accordion-content -->\n        <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n\n<\/div><!-- \/module accordion -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_ikl7433\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_734q433 image-center circle  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/kLekies-125x125.png\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-3510\" title=\"kLekies\" alt=\"kLekies\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/kLekies-125x125.png 125w, https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/kLekies-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" \/>    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module accordion -->\n<div  class=\"module module-accordion tb_yvn0433 \" data-behavior=\"toggle\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <ul class=\"ui module-accordion   tb_default_color\">\n            <li>\n            <div class=\"accordion-title tf_rel\">\n                <a href=\"#acc-yvn0433-0\" class=\"tb_title_accordion\" aria-controls=\"acc-yvn0433-0-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                    <i class=\"accordion-icon\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-angle-down\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-angle-down\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    <i class=\"accordion-active-icon tf_hide\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-angle-up\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-angle-up\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    <span class=\"accordion-title-wrap\">Kristi Lekies, Co-Chair<\/span>                <\/a>\n            <\/div><!-- .accordion-title -->\n            <div id=\"acc-yvn0433-0-content\" data-id=\"acc-yvn0433-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"accordion-content tf_hide tf_clearfix\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_fnkk433\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column tb_ff2v433 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_2n6m433   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW74558315 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW74558315 BCX0\">The Ohio State University<br><\/span><\/span><\/strong><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW47972330 BCX0\" href=\"mailto:lekies.1@osu.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW47972330 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW47972330 BCX0\">lekies.1@osu.edu<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"EOP SCXW47972330 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Bio:\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW237361292 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW237361292 BCX0\">Kristi<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW237361292 BCX0\">Lekies<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW237361292 BCX0\"> is Associate Professor in the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW237361292 BCX0\">.\u00a0 <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW237361292 BCX0\">Her research interests focus on connection to community and the natural environment in the early part of the life span.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW237361292 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><!-- .accordion-content -->\n        <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n\n<\/div><!-- \/module accordion -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_cebj935 last\">\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_4xyq189 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_lbx5189 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_fgu2189   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3 data-start=\"474\" data-end=\"497\">\ud83d\udcf0 News and Announcements<\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- advanced-posts module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-advanced-posts tb_bqe3189   themify_builder_content-bqe3189\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div  class=\"builder-posts-wrap loops-wrapper news list-post classic tf_clear tf_clearfix\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-4941\" class=\"post tf_clearfix post-4941 news type-news status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry news_announcements-member-in-the-news news_announcements-youth-education-and-rural-vitality has-post-title has-post-date has-post-category has-post-tag has-post-comment has-post-author \">\n\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"tbp_advanced_archive_wrap\">\n\t                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_mur0189 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column tb_wdw9189 first\">\n                    <!-- Post Title module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-title tb_sj8a189 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<h2 class=\"tbp_title\">\n\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/news\/no-safe-ground-2\/\">\n\t\tRSS Member Catharine Biddle (University of Maine) Quoted in New York Times Piece on Rural Youth\t\t<\/a>\n<\/h2><\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Title module -->\n<!-- Post Meta module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-meta tb_gxhc189 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta tbp_post_meta\">\n\t\t<span class=\"tbp_post_meta_item tbp_post_meta_date\"><time content=\"2025-11-21T17:03:27+00:00\" class=\"entry-date updated\" datetime=\"2025-11-21T17:03:27+00:00\">\n\t<span class=\"tbp_post_month\">November<\/span> <span class=\"tbp_post_day\">21<\/span>, <span class=\"tbp_post_year\">2025<\/span>\t\t\t<meta content=\"2025-12-03T20:09:48+00:00\">\n\t<\/time>\n<\/span><!-- .tbp_post_meta_item -->\t<\/div><!-- .tbp_post_meta -->\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Meta module -->\n<!-- Post Content module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-content tb_poh9189 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\n    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n\t\tCatherine Biddle (University of Maine) was quoted in a recent New York Times Opinion piece on rural education, especially as it pertains to wraparound services and challenges in providing those. \ud83d\udd17 Read More    <\/div><!-- .tb_text_wrap -->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Content module -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-4768\" class=\"post tf_clearfix post-4768 news type-news status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry news_announcements-member-in-the-news news_announcements-youth-education-and-rural-vitality has-post-title has-post-date has-post-category has-post-tag has-post-comment has-post-author \">\n\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"tbp_advanced_archive_wrap\">\n\t                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_mur0189 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column tb_wdw9189 first\">\n                    <!-- Post Title module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-title tb_sj8a189 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<h2 class=\"tbp_title\">\n\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/news\/school-closure-temptation-2\/\">\n\t\tRSS Member Mara Casey Tieken Warns Against Temptation of Rural School Closure in Washington Monthly\t\t<\/a>\n<\/h2><\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Title module -->\n<!-- Post Meta module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-meta tb_gxhc189 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta tbp_post_meta\">\n\t\t<span class=\"tbp_post_meta_item tbp_post_meta_date\"><time content=\"2025-11-07T16:36:07+00:00\" class=\"entry-date updated\" datetime=\"2025-11-07T16:36:07+00:00\">\n\t<span class=\"tbp_post_month\">November<\/span> <span class=\"tbp_post_day\">7<\/span>, <span class=\"tbp_post_year\">2025<\/span>\t\t\t<meta content=\"2025-12-03T20:08:40+00:00\">\n\t<\/time>\n<\/span><!-- .tbp_post_meta_item -->\t<\/div><!-- .tbp_post_meta -->\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Meta module -->\n<!-- Post Content module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-content tb_poh9189 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\n    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n\t\tWhen enrollments decline, school boards often shutter schools, but this rarely saves money and always hurts kids and communities. \ud83d\udd17 Read More    <\/div><!-- .tb_text_wrap -->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Content module -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-4655\" class=\"post tf_clearfix post-4655 news type-news status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry news_announcements-applied-and-extension-news news_announcements-community-health-and-family news_announcements-member-in-the-news news_announcements-natural-resources news_announcements-population news_announcements-rural-policy news_announcements-rural-poverty news_announcements-rural-race-and-ethnicity news_announcements-rural-studies news_announcements-sociology-of-agriculture-food-safrig news_announcements-the-elders news_announcements-youth-education-and-rural-vitality has-post-title has-post-date has-post-category has-post-tag has-post-comment has-post-author \">\n\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"tbp_advanced_archive_wrap\">\n\t                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_mur0189 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column tb_wdw9189 first\">\n                    <!-- Post Title module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-title tb_sj8a189 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<h2 class=\"tbp_title\">\n\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/news\/the-case-for-rural-america-a-new-book-in-the-rural-studies-series\/\">\n\t\tMueller publishes The Case for Rural America in Rural Studies Series\t\t<\/a>\n<\/h2><\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Title module -->\n<!-- Post Meta module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-meta tb_gxhc189 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta tbp_post_meta\">\n\t\t<span class=\"tbp_post_meta_item tbp_post_meta_date\"><time content=\"2025-10-13T16:45:22+00:00\" class=\"entry-date updated\" datetime=\"2025-10-13T16:45:22+00:00\">\n\t<span class=\"tbp_post_month\">October<\/span> <span class=\"tbp_post_day\">13<\/span>, <span class=\"tbp_post_year\">2025<\/span>\t\t\t<meta content=\"2025-11-21T18:10:12+00:00\">\n\t<\/time>\n<\/span><!-- .tbp_post_meta_item -->\t<\/div><!-- .tbp_post_meta -->\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Meta module -->\n<!-- Post Content module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-content tb_poh9189 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\n    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n\t\tJ. Tom Mueller argues that policymakers, politicians, and academics rarely make a clear case for why rural America matters and is worth saving in the first place. In this provocative book, Mueller meets these issues head-on by presenting a critique of conventional economic development efforts while also articulating why rural America is worthy of preservation. [&hellip;]    <\/div><!-- .tb_text_wrap -->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Content module -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-4103\" class=\"post tf_clearfix post-4103 news type-news status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry news_announcements-member-in-the-news news_announcements-youth-education-and-rural-vitality has-post-title has-post-date has-post-category has-post-tag has-post-comment has-post-author \">\n\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"tbp_advanced_archive_wrap\">\n\t                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_mur0189 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column tb_wdw9189 first\">\n                    <!-- Post Title module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-title tb_sj8a189 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<h2 class=\"tbp_title\">\n\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/news\/empowering-rural-youth-through-education\/\">\n\t\tEmpowering Rural Youth Through Education: A Conversation on Teacher Support\t\t<\/a>\n<\/h2><\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Title module -->\n<!-- Post Meta module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-meta tb_gxhc189 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta tbp_post_meta\">\n\t\t<span class=\"tbp_post_meta_item tbp_post_meta_date\"><time content=\"2025-09-02T16:50:13+00:00\" class=\"entry-date updated\" datetime=\"2025-09-02T16:50:13+00:00\">\n\t<span class=\"tbp_post_month\">September<\/span> <span class=\"tbp_post_day\">2<\/span>, <span class=\"tbp_post_year\">2025<\/span>\t\t\t<meta content=\"2025-09-09T19:53:40+00:00\">\n\t<\/time>\n<\/span><!-- .tbp_post_meta_item -->\t<\/div><!-- .tbp_post_meta -->\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Meta module -->\n<!-- Post Content module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-content tb_poh9189 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\n    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n\t\tOn the NREA podcast, Dr. Casey Jakubowski discussed teacher retention, community-based practice, and ways rural schools can better support new educators. \ud83d\udd17 Read More    <\/div><!-- .tb_text_wrap -->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Content module -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .builder-posts-wrap -->\n\n\t\t\t\n<\/div><!-- \/advanced-posts module -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_hhkw800 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_zl2c800 tb_gs590685 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_fqiv138   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3 data-start=\"474\" data-end=\"497\">\ud83d\udcda Selected Publications and Resources<\/h3>\n<p>Explore work from our members and resources on rural sociology:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/article.pdf\">Income Segregation between School Districts and Inequality in Students&#8217; Achievement<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW146606016 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW146606016 BCX0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/ruso.12556\">Critical Rural Theory: A Decade of Influence on Rural Education Research<\/a>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/0092055X231174516\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW85115716 BCX0\">Effectively engaging first-generation rural students in higher education<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW85115716 BCX0\">: New<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW85115716 BCX0\"> opportunities for sociology<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun Highlight SCXW198548485 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW198548485 BCX0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jrre.psu.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-04\/40.01_0.pdf\">Rural definition triangulation: Improving the credibility and transferability of rural education research in the United States<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW168872206 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW168872206 BCX0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.taylorfrancis.com\/books\/edit\/10.4324\/9781003446620\/race-rurality-tyler-hallmark-sonja-ardoin-darris-means\">Race and rurality: Considerations for advancing higher education equity<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142271040 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142271040 BCX0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/00221546.2025.2455333\">Because I\u2019m from a Rural Background\u201d: An Examination of Rural Students in Higher Education Through a Critical, Non-Deficit Framework<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW125389633 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW125389633 BCX0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jrre.psu.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-04\/41.03_0.pdf\">Navigating new worlds: The college transition of rural Latinx undergraduate students from California\u2019s San Joaquin Valley<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.regionalcolleges.org\/project\/ruralserving\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW27845031 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW27845031 BCX0\">Rural-Serving Institutions Data Tool<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun Highlight SCXW63468861 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW63468861 BCX0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2071-1050\/16\/15\/6474\">Integrating Rural Development, Education, and Management: Challenges and Strategies<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/esr\/article\/40\/6\/1067\/7633330?login=false\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW247303158 BCX0\">Spatial inequality in higher education: a growing urban\u2013rural educational\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1111\/ruso.12353\">Becoming Academically Eligible: University Enrollment among First-Generation, Rural College Goers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1279669\">The Forgotten Fifth: Rural Youth and Substance Abuse<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_i8sn81 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ysrx81 first\">\n                            <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_cpy4713\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col-full tb_7uyy713 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_i6s6999   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h4>Interested in joining RSS or exploring other Research Interest Groups?<\/h4>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module buttons -->\n<div  class=\"module module-buttons tb_8oe1784 buttons-horizontal solid   rounded tb_gs125683\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"module-buttons-item tf_in_flx\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/membership\/\" class=\"ui builder_button tf_in_flx tb_default_color\" >\n                                    <em><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-handshake\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-handshake\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>                                        Join RSS Today                                        <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"module-buttons-item tf_in_flx\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/rigs\/\" class=\"ui builder_button tf_in_flx tb_default_color\" >\n                                    <em><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-circle-chevron-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-circle-chevron-left\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>                                        Back to All RIGs                                        <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<!-- \/module buttons -->\n        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Youth, Education, and Rural Vitality Research and Interest GroupSupporting youth, strengthening schools, and sustaining rural communities What We\u2019re About The Youth, Education, and Rural Vitality Research Interest Group brings together scholars and practitioners committed to examining the complex relationships between youth development, educational opportunity, and community well-being in rural places. We focus on how schools, local organizations, and policies can support the success of rural youth and the sustainability of the communities in which they live. This RIG encourages interdisciplinary work that critically explores how education systems, demographic change, social inequality, and local culture intersect to shape outcomes for rural children, families, and communities. Our goal is to generate scholarship that informs both theory and practice and contributes to meaningful improvements in rural education and vitality. Annual Dues: Regular Members &#8211; $5Student Members &#8211; $5 Get Involved: Attend our sessions and networking events at the RSS Annual Meeting Participate in planning discussions or propose new activities Contact our leadership team to get connected Join our RIG What We Do and How to Get Involved The Youth, Education, and Rural Vitality RIG provides a space for collaboration, mentorship, and engagement on issues related to rural youth and education. We: Organize paper [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":54,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-728","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/728","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=728"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/728\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4223,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/728\/revisions\/4223"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/54"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}