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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

HBCU students in Tennessee are helping fill the need for dental care at a critical moment, as 9 hospitals are at risk of closure due to funding cuts in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act tinyurl.com/yat8yc2s

insidehighered.com

Building a Rural Dental Workforce

Meharry Medical College trains students through mobile clinics to close dental care gaps in underserved communities—including youth in state custody.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Mentorship program pairs Hispanic college students at nearby colleges with Hispanic high school students at risk of not graduating to figure out their next steps after high school www.edweek.org/leaders/2026... #k12 #highered #collegeaccess

edweek.org

How One Rural District Used College Students to Keep English Learners in School

This leader's mentorship program with a local university has helped rural English learners at risk of dropping out.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

"Nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, and almost a quarter are people of color. These communities are home to deep cultural traditions, close-knit civic life, and an abundance of untapped talent and creativity" tinyurl.com/3bwf4sft #philanthropy #goodread

tinyurl.com

Investing in Rural Communities: Why the Delta Demands Bold Philanthropy - NationSwell

The Mississippi Delta reveals why rural investment matters, and how community-led, long-term philanthropy can unlock talent, resilience, and shared prosperity.

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Reposted by John White

Senator Jeff Merkley @merkley.senate.gov · 08/12/2025

The Secure Rural Schools Program—created by @wyden.senate.gov—helps rural communities keep schools and libraries open, maintain roads, and keep folks safe. The Senate UNANIMOUSLY passed the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act back in June—it's beyond time for the House to pass it!

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Reposted by John White

Dr. Ty C. McNamee @tycmcnamee.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

@mdrc-news.bsky.social's National Rural Higher Ed Research Center to host inaugural Rural Research Mentorship Network cohort, offering opportunities to grad students and early-career researchers interested in conducting #ruraled research. $1000 honorarium. mdrcfed.gov1.qualtrics.com/CP/File.php?...

mdrcfed.gov1.qualtrics.com

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Many high school seniors are preparing for graduation and are in the midst of the college application process. Why are rural students the least likely to go to college? Professor Sheneka Williams, who graduated from a small, rural high school in Alabama, explains. phys.org/news/2025-12...

phys.org

Rural high school students are more likely than city kids to get their diplomas, less likely to go to college

Many high school seniors are currently in the midst of the college application process or are already waiting to hear back from their selected schools.

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Reposted by John White

Beth Macy @bethmacy.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Thanks, Hope Reese, for doing such a meaningful interview for Greater Good!

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

I learned this week that all staff members who administered the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) were let go at the US Department of Education, what's left of it.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

The Endeavor Lab Colleges (ELC) are scaling a new model for liberal arts education centered on student mental health and well-being to enhance academic learning and the campus experience. Six of the 10 small liberal arts colleges are rural-serving institutions tinyurl.com/3j5atnyc

tinyurl.com

Scaling Rural Wellness with Clever Collaboration | The Daily Yonder

From hive minds to climbing gyms, 10 small rural colleges share mental health insights through Endeavor Lab Colleges.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

I look forward to seeing you in Salt Lake!

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Reposted by John White

National Rural Education Association @nrea.net · 17/09/2025

AI IN ACTION: We’re excited to introduce this half-day experience, included with your 2025 #RuralEdForum registration! Whether you’re just starting with AI or ready to go deeper, this summit offers real tools, real voices, real value. Register now: www.nrea.net/nfare

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

After growing frustrated with “urban-normative” policy assumptions that rarely applied in the settings she knew, Roberts responded to others’ encouragement to “go fix it.” news.clemson.edu/nationally-r...

news.clemson.edu

Nationally recognized rural education researcher joins College of Education faculty

J. Kessa Roberts joins Clemson University faculty this fall, bringing with her an extensive background in rural education research.

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Reposted by John White

Appalshop @appalshop.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Register now for Rural Assembly Everywhere, a virtual gathering of the Rural Assembly, on Sept 17 @ 1 PM ET. This event brings together people from across the country who care deeply about their rural places, neighbors, and community issues. Learn more & register: www.ruralassembly.org/everywhere.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Insightful Q&A on "elite" college experiences as a first-generation, rural student. It would be great to see a similar article on public university and college experiences where more rural students enroll dailyyonder.com/qa-college-a...

dailyyonder.com

Q&A: College as a First-Generation, Rural Student | The Daily Yonder

Editor’s Note: This interview first appeared in Path Finders, an email newsletter from the Daily Yonder. Each week, Path Finders features a Q&A with a

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

"Because of their heavy reliance on state and federal funding, rural schools are disproportionately impacted by the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce federal funding for public education" www.k12dive.com/news/trumps-... via @K12DiveNews

k12dive.com

Trump’s FY 26 budget plan would worsen rural schools’ challenges, analysis finds

Lower funding would exacerbate issues including teacher recruitment and lack of access to advanced classes, the Center for American Progress finds.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

The @aascu.org's Chuck Welch examines "The Big Beautiful Bill" and student visa crackdowns. mile-markers.beehiiv.com/p/how-trump-...

mile-markers.beehiiv.com

How Trump's Policies are Impacting Rural Colleges

The AASCU's Chuck Welch examines "The Big Beautiful Bill" and student visa crackdowns.

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Reposted by John White

Sean Scully @seanibus.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

With many national parks facing huge backlogs of deferred maintenance — Yellowstone alone is estimated at more than $1 billion — the federal government is proposing a new fee on foreign visitors to address some of the shortfall, report @dailymontanan.com and @statesnewsroom.com

buff.ly

Proposed international surcharge at National Parks could generate millions in 2026 • Daily Montanan

A new model that has been adopted for national parks by the Trump administration would raise visitors fees to pay for a maintenance backlog.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Potential cuts to statewide library services in Michigan come as the number of school librarians in the state is dwindling and gaps in student literacy achievement are widening. It's probably happening in many other states as well. www.chalkbeat.org/detroit/2025...

chalkbeat.org

Proposed federal cuts threaten Michigan library services essential to K-12 students

As the state attempts to tackle its literacy woes, these cuts would threaten early literacy programs in local libraries.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

The transition from rural Wisconsin to Georgetown University in Washington, DC, had challenges, but she doesn't want to leave her home behind. Instead, she wants to serve her rural community and see it thrive. It’s her home tinyurl.com/4vte6ta8 #goodread

tinyurl.com

She Was Told to Leave Rural America to Succeed. Now, This Senior Wants to Help Rural Communities Thrive. - Georgetown University

Lisa Kennedy grew up hearing that there was no value in rural America. As a soon-to-be alumna, she's on a mission to change the narrative.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

A growing number of states are considering or have allowed community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees to fill a void and train workers in so-called rural #highered deserts hechingerreport.org/to-fill-educ... #collegeaccess

hechingerreport.org

To fill “education deserts,” some states want community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees

To fill higher education deserts, several states are proposing letting community colleges offer bachelor’s degrees.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

GEAR UP Kentucky has helped more than 66,000 KY students transition from high school to and through postsecondary education over the past 25 years. The impact cannot be overstated. amp-kentucky-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.kent... #collegeaccess

amp-kentucky-com.cdn.ampproject.org

Federal funding cuts threaten one of KY’s most successful education programs | Opinion

OpEd: The GEAR UP Kentucky has helped 66,000 Kentuckians achieve their college dreams for the past 25 years.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

In a lot of communities, Head Start is the only early childhood provider in the community, especially rural America. Cuts could be catastrophic.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Educator moved from Utah to Colorado to teach and says his take-home pay was $39,800 last year. High fixed costs make it difficult for small rural districts to hire and retain teachers, according to Keystone Policy Center report tinyurl.com/3t8ywwab via @chalkbeat.org

chalkbeat.org

Low pay is one reason rural Colorado districts struggle to hire teachers, report says

“It’s becoming a bigger and bigger issue for school districts in rural communities to be able to hire and retain folks,” one of the report authors said.

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Rural #Texas schools are teaming up to stay alive. WATCH: tinyurl.com/yzbpzttu

tinyurl.com

MSN

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John White @jlwcomms.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

The constant claim that we need to return control of education to states and local communities is disingenuous. Education is already primarily a State and local responsibility. This information was last reviewed in 2025 tinyurl.com/4x7vx5bh

tinyurl.com

Federal Role in Education

This page discusses the role of the U.S. Department, providing a brief history of the Department as well as a descrption of the Department's mission and staffing.

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Reposted by John White

Education Law Center @edlawcenter.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

ELC’s annual #MakingTheGrade report shows that many public schools already lack sufficient funding. edlawcenter.org/research/mak... Explore the impact of potential federal revenue losses under Trump 2.0 using our new tool. edlawcenter.org/research/tru...

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