Southeast

Our Southeast Hub is led by the East Carolina University Rural Education Institute.

East Carolina University

Our Southeast Hub partners at the East Carolina University Rural Education Institute offer a state-wide network of exemplary rural-focused programming aimed at creating equitable, empowered, and thriving rural school ecosystems. Dr. Jerry Johnson, Professor & Interim Director of the Rural Education Institute, serves as the hub contact for this region.


Located in Greenville, North Carolina, East Carolina University (ECU) was founded as a teacher training institute, and has served the rural communities in the region ever since. Over time, ECU grew to be a leading voice for rural education across the state through their Rural Education Institute (REI). Now, through this new partnership with Rural Schools Collaborative, the REI team and Rural Schools Collaborative work together to elevate the voices of rural educators in North and South Carolina as the Southeast Hub.

The Rural Education Institute is an easily accessible and engaging collaborator with local education stakeholders. By providing a space for rural education voices, perspectives, and innovations to thrive, that REI and its local partners can together strengthen the educational outcomes of rural students, schools, and communities. With those stakeholders, the Rural Education Institute works locally in four primary ways:

Teaching CARE Corps - My Rural Service Story

Spotlight

Left to right: Jacqui Allen, Taylor McCabe-Juhnke, Henry Whitehead, Maurice Harris, Megan Williams, Kate McPhee, Destiny Wharton.

Building on a Strong Foundation

RSC visited three rural schools in North Carolina to learn about how the GRAD Partnership for Advancing Student Success Systems can elevate their work to foster positive post-secondary outcomes for all students.

The GRAD Partnership for Advancing Student Success Systems is helping rural schools nationwide improve student outcomes by fostering agency, belonging, and connectedness. This year, three new Regional Hub partners—Missouri State University, the Arizona Rural Schools Association, and East Carolina University—joined the initiative, expanding its reach. Schools like Southside, North Pitt, and Ayden-Grifton High Schools in North Carolina are leveraging the program to strengthen graduation pathways, mentorship programs, and student-centered interventions. With the support of local partners like ECU, rural schools are enhancing student success and postsecondary readiness. Learn more about this impactful initiative!

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