College faculty attend national forum to advance rural education
Jennifer Barce and Stephanie Scherer
Two College of Education faculty represented the Purdue Center for Rural Research, Education and Outreach at the National Forum to Advance Rural Education (NFARE; Oct. 13-15), helping advance the Center’s mission of fostering rural collaborative partnerships – and Purdue’s land-grant mission.
The National Rural Education Association (NREA) hosted the conference, which included discussions on goal setting, financial planning, and learning about the various NREA centers’ initiatives. The Center actively participates in NREA to advance the Center’s mission of fostering rural collaborative partnerships, and Barce and Scherer attend NFARE annually.
Jennifer Barce, executive director of the Center and assistant dean for teacher education in the College, and Stephanie Scherer, director of the Center and clinical assistant professor of curriculum studies, attended.
“We actively pursue partnerships to enhance our teacher education program and continue to highlight both the successes and challenges faced by rural Midwest communities,” said Barce.
Scherer presented rural research, and she and Barce attended sessions to exchange ideas about licensing programs, rural research, and teacher preparation. They also met with Chris Lagoni, executive director of the Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association, and collaborated with rural education colleagues and directors of other U.S. based rural centers.
“NFARE is a wonderful conference,” Scherer said. “There’s a strong shared dedication to supporting rural communities, and everyone genuinely wants to exchange ideas and collaborate.”
Source: Stephanie Scherer
About the Purdue Center for Rural Research, Education, and Outreach
To further the land grant mission of Purdue University, which emphasizes equal educational opportunities for all students, the College of Education partnered with key stakeholders to establish Indiana’s inaugural comprehensive rural education center in 2023. The Purdue Center for Rural Research, Education, and Outreach ensures rural collaborative partnerships that promote high quality experiences for teachers and students, coordinates education outreach efforts, and provides sustainable opportunities for advancing the needs of communities through interdisciplinary research and advocacy. It co-hosts the annual Rural Education Summit with the Indiana Small & Rural Schools Association.
About the College of Education
At Purdue’s College of Education, we prepare teachers who know their subject matter, understand the myriad ways students learn, and have the skill to help them succeed. Our close-knit community of faculty, staff, and students offers a small college experience with all the perks of a Big Ten environment.