resources
Overview
How might we empower rural community colleges to lead transformation across the learn + work ecosystem? In early 2024, Education Design Lab convened 14 rural higher education institutions across 11 states to explore that question…and to design new pathways to economic mobility.
By participating in our Rural College Design and Data Academy, college and employer teams used the Education Design Lab’s (the Lab) design process to launch a set of learner-centered pilot projects that addressed everything from internal silos to external community outreach.
Highlights from our guidebook:
• A framework for designing for rural transformation
• Case studies spotlighting each college pilot project
• Tools to help transform your own institution
• Tips for navigating inevitable setbacks
Download the full Guidebook
Design Framework for Rural Transformation
Use
Data as a strategic asset
Rural colleges often lack accurate, community-specific data, making it hard to design programs that reflect local realities. Pairing imperfect data with lived experience helps institutions create strategies that are more relevant, equitable, and effective.
“Data can knock down preconceived ideas”
– a practitioner noted during a convening
Break
Down workforce and academic silos
Silos between academic and workforce programs create fragmented pathways and confusion for students and staff. Bridging these divides allows rural colleges to better align learning, skills, and opportunity.
“We spend a lot of time creating ‘navigator’ roles for our different learner personas, but not enough time asking ourselves why our processes are so hard to navigate”
– a design partner reflected
Build
Inclusive Community Partnerships
Rural communities are primed for strong partnerships, but institutional silos often limit innovation. With a clear roadmap, colleges can build fewer, higher-impact partnerships that better serve their communities.
“Strong partners = strong programs”
– an academy partner reflected
Design
Pathways to Thriving
Rural communities offer strong local assets for innovation. Human-centered, data-informed design helps colleges turn those strengths into flexible career pathways that meet real community needs.
“We need to meet community needs, not our institution’s needs”
– an institutional partner noted
Reimagine
Outreach to Engage Rural Populations
Equitable rural access requires shifting from deficit-based thinking to an asset-based, human-centered approach. By building on the strengths rural learners already bring, colleges can design pathways that expand opportunity and impact.
“College is for everyone, it just doesn’t look the same for everyone”
– a Rural Academy partner noted
Pivot
When Things Don’t Go as Planned
Piloting new approaches in rural colleges often involves setbacks due to systemic and resource constraints. By slowing down, learning from obstacles, and pivoting when needed, institutions can adapt their strategies and strengthen long-term impact.
“The Lab taught us to slow down…pivoting is necessary to success.”
– Jennifer Cummings Tutweiler, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College
Acknowledgements
This publication was authored by Matt Newlin, EdD, Senior Education Designer, Rural Initiatives; and Rachel Wimberly, Rural College Data Lead. A special thank you to Leslie Daugherty, EdD, former Strategic Impact Director, Design Programs and founder of Education Design Lab’s rural practice area. This project would not have been possible without her passion and leadership.
Contributors
Thank you to the Lab team members who are supporting the success of this initiative and the development of this brief, including Rebecka Ramos, PhD; Tait Kellogg, PhD, and Stephanie Ogilvie Seagle. This publication and the Rural College Design and Data Academy were made possible thanks to the generous support of the Ascendium Education Group.
