America’s rural communities are the bedrock of our nation’s economic and fiscal well-being. But rural areas and rural institutions are frequently under-resourced and struggle to gain the attention of policymakers and investors. That’s why Achieving the Dream is pleased to announce an opportunity for six rural community colleges to join the next cohort of ATD Network colleges through our new initiative, Building Resiliency in Rural Communities for the Future of Work.

Funded by Cognizant, JP Morgan Chase, Ascendium Education Group, and Walmart, this initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of rural colleges to train students for careers that pay family-sustaining wages in today’s digital economy. This goal aligns with Achieving the Dream’s long-time commitment to increasing the academic and economic success of low-income students, students of color, and other marginalized populations. And it capitalizes on the localness of community colleges as stable, flexible, and respected organizations to catalyze efforts to build socially just and economically successful communities.

As new participants in the ATD Network, colleges selected to join the Rural Resiliency Cohort will:

• Use student and community data to identify and close opportunity gaps among various student populations
• Provide students with the academic and personal supports needed to complete programs of study that prepare them for rewarding careers with family-sustaining wages
• Create community partnerships that help prepare and connect students to careers in the emerging digital economy
• Share what they have learned with the national ATD Network and the broader higher education community

Participating institutions will help build deeper understanding across higher education and among policy and funding communities for how rural colleges and their partners can promote the economic mobility of students and the vitality of their communities.

Application Information and Timeline

Eligible applicants were invited to review and complete the Request for Proposal by December 10 to participate in this initiative and join Achieving the Dream’s Network beginning in January 2021 at the Learning Launch Kickoff.

Email network@achievingthedream.org with any questions you have.

View the video of the December 4, 2020 webinar of the application process.