Black Belt

University of West Alabama

The University of West Alabama College of Education's Center for Rural Education connects our work to Alabama and the Black Belt regions of Mississippi and Georgia. RSC board member and UWA College of Education professor Dr. Jan Miller serves as the hub contact for UWA’s vital work in addressing education needs of the rural South.

Located in the small town of Livingston, AL, The University of West Alabama sits in the heart of the Black Belt Region. The Black Belt has a unique cultural history, and UWA’s Center for Rural Education works to address critical issues such as rural poverty, teacher shortages, and community vitality across the South.

The relationship between the Rural Schools Collaborative and The University of West Alabama was facilitated by former RSC board member Larry Lee of Montgomery, Alabama, and started with a modest planning grant in 2015. Since that time, under the leadership of Dr. Miller and University president Dr. Ken Tucker, UWA has continued to flourish as a national leader in rural education. This commitment has led to the establishment of several flagship programs, which include:

• The Black Belt Teacher Corps

• Teach for Alabama

• The Center for Rural Education

• Project REP

• The University REACH School

• Partnership with the National Rural Education Association

• A new doctoral program in Rural Education

• The establishment of the GRAD Partnership

UWA is a national leader in rural teacher recruitment and preparation, including efforts to build a more diverse and representative teaching force. UWA actively cultivates relationships with regional school districts, working hard to increase teacher capacity and build student success in their service region. Rural Schools Collaborative is deeply proud and appreciative of our history and partnership with UWA, and invites you to explore the many inspiring stories of their work below.