WIU gets $2.2 million to improve postsecondary education access for students in rural communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Education has announced $44.5 million in grants to 22 institutions of higher education to improve rates of postsecondary education enrollment, persistence, and completion among students in rural communities.

Western Illinois University is one of the recipients, receiving more than $2.2 million.

The Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) grant program promotes the development of high-quality career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the region.

In America’s rural communities, only 29 percent of individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 are enrolled in higher education, compared to almost 48 percent of their counterparts in urban areas and 42 percent in suburban areas. In addition to navigating how to pay for college and the application process, students in rural areas face other barriers in accessing and completing college, including reliable transportation, food and housing insecurity, and access to health care and high-speed internet.

“The grants announced today by the Biden-Harris administration reflect our commitment to empowering rural communities to build on their strengths, attract new investments, and prepare students for the high-skill, high-wage jobs of tomorrow,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “When we invest in postsecondary attainment in rural communities, we create pathways for students to find rewarding careers that do not require them to leave their hometowns for economic opportunity. These grant awards will help rural institutions Raise the Bar for student success and the attainment of valuable degrees and credentials that lead to brighter futures and greater prosperity.

WIU will use the funding to improve college readiness and access through cross-agency coordination with rural Local Education Agencies and the implementation of evidence-based and culturally relevant pedagogies and programming; increase first-year retention rates by improving support for incoming freshmen transitioning from rural high schools through evidence-based activities and academic and career advising; increase third-year persistence rates by developing an evidence-based and culturally responsive persistence program; and increase post-graduation employment rates by supporting workforce development and enhancing academic career pathways in rural culturally and linguistically diverse communities.