Jessica Newhall, Director of the Center for Business, Community & Professional Development and Associate Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Clatsop Community College   Strengthening rural economic development requires a robust ecosystem that cultivates entrepreneurship and drives small business success. In this session, we’ll explore how Clatsop Community College's SBDC is making […]

Taylor Mims, Marketing Specialist, Conferences and Events at CARNEGIE Kristy Phillips, Senior Director, Client Success at CARNEGIE Katie Sentissi, VP of Integrated Paid Media at CARNEGIE   Our session will focus on strategies for making every marketing dollar count in today’s tight budget environments. Designed with rural colleges in mind, this session will show how […]

Joseph E. April, Principal, Forty-One Consulting, LLC John J. Rainone, Ed.D., CFRE, President, Mountain Gateway Community College (VA)   Designed specifically for small to mid-sized community colleges, this webinar provides tailored strategies to help boards and leadership teams elevate their impact on both their institutions and the communities they serve. Community college presidents, advancement staff, […]

Desiree Noah, MBA, Chief Human Resources Officer, Western Oregon University    This interactive webinar will equip HR professionals and department heads at rural institutions with actionable strategies to enhance recruitment and retention efforts. Participants will explore tailored approaches for attracting talent in rural settings, learn innovative recruitment techniques—including digital outreach and local partnerships—and develop retention […]

Unlock the potential of Generation Z in shaping the future of apprenticeships with our webinar, "Engaging GenZ: The Power of Youth in Program Development and Mentorship".  This dynamic session explores why involving youth—particularly GenZ, with their digital fluency, innovative mindset, and passion for impact—is crucial to designing apprenticeships that resonate and succeed. We’ll dive into […]

Tickets HERE View the conference schedule HERE Join us in Union, Missouri, from September 17–19, 2025, for the Rural Community College Alliance’s national conference. This year’s theme, Gateway to the Best: Show Me Rural Excellence, celebrates the innovation, resilience, and impact of rural community colleges across the country. Connect with educators, leaders, and advocates as […]

Join RCCA and Western Governors University (WGU) for an inside look at our new partnership designed to expand opportunities for rural learners. Through this collaboration, graduates and employees of RCCA member colleges gain seamless transfer pathways into WGU’s online degree and certificate programs, application fee waivers, and access to the Community College Partner Scholarship—valued at […]

Iowa's 15 community colleges are classified as rural.  The rural community college serves as a mechanism for economic and workforce development in the communities they serve.  This presentation will provide an overview and discussion of innovative economic and workforce development programs at Iowa community colleges, their purpose and function, and funding mechanisms.  The programs include […]

Zoe Jenkins will lead an engaging webinar that will share how the program leads to transformative change by enpowering students to become leaders in a vareitey of ways. Civics Unplugged is shaping young leaders to build the future they want to live in by training them in the principles of civic innovation. The organization provides […]

What Strategic Foresight Is and Why It MattersThis webinar introduces strategic foresight and how it differs from traditional planning—highlighting why it’s a powerful tool for rural community colleges navigating enrollment shifts, funding volatility, and rapid technological change. Participants will learn to recognize major drivers shaping higher education, spot “weak signals” of emerging change, and apply […]

Join us to explore how innovative partnerships are expanding educational and career opportunities for rural and Appalachian students—empowering them to build successful futures within their own communities. Hear firsthand from a graduate who leveraged local and online education to launch a rewarding career close to home, and from a community college provost on how collaboration […]

Discover how Mentor Collective’s peer mentoring platform helps rural community colleges foster belonging, boost student confidence, and improve retention. This webinar will showcase how scalable, student-driven mentorship creates authentic connections, delivers actionable insights into student challenges, and directs learners to the support they need—when they need it.