MSU hosts Rural Schools Collaborative
Morehead State University is continuing its commitment to educating the Appalachian region and making a sizable impact on rural teacher preparation.
MSU will welcome representatives from the Rural Schools Collaborative for a special visit on Wednesday, Oct. 15, that will highlight the University's leadership in rural teacher preparation and its commitment to Appalachian education through the Appalachian Future Educators Scholars program.
Representatives from the Rural Schools Collaborative will meet with faculty, students and leadership from MSU's Volgenau College of Education to learn more about the Appalachian Future Educators Scholars program, a signature initiative designed to recruit, support and retain future teachers in rural communities across Eastern Kentucky.
MSU is the Commonwealth's only university partner of the Rural Schools Collaborative, a nationwide initiative to improve rural education. This visit underscores the national recognition of its efforts to serve high-need rural areas through innovative teacher education programs.
"This visit is a powerful affirmation of the work our students and faculty are doing every day to uplift rural schools," said Dr. Kimberlee Sharp, director of the Appalachian Future Educators Scholars program. "We're honored to showcase our commitment to preparing educators who understand and embrace the unique strengths of Appalachian communities."
Launched in 2021 through a Catalyst Initiative Grant from the Rural Schools Collaborative, the Appalachian Future Educators Scholars program selects one student from each of the 22 counties in MSU's service region to receive a scholarship and participate in a specialized cohort experience. These students are chosen in partnership with local school districts and must demonstrate a strong commitment to returning to their home communities as educators and leaders.
The program is designed to strengthen the pipeline of educators returning to rural Appalachia and aligns with VCOE’s new strategic plan to serve the educational needs of a vibrant population of teachers, leaders, and counselors across the Commonwealth, nation, and broader Appalachian community at all academic levels.
Appalachian Future Educators Scholars benefit from:
- Targeted mentorship from faculty and P-12 educators
- Service-learning projects tied to local educational needs
- Leadership development through cohort-based programming
- Place-based learning focused on Appalachian culture and schools
- Opportunities for outreach and community engagement
- Morehead State’s efforts to recruit and prepare rural educators continue to be seen as a model for success.
"At Morehead State, we believe that preparing educators for rural schools is not just a mission—it's a responsibility," said Dr. Nicola Mason (Class of 2007), dean of the Volgenau College of Education. "Our partnership with Rural Schools Collaborative is a point of pride for the college. We share many of the resources provided from the partnership directly with our school districts to help support their work in rural communities.”
To learn more about the MSU's Volgenau College of Education and its programs, please contact Dr. Nicola Mason at nfmason@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2162.
