Southeast
Our Southeast Hub is led by the East Carolina University Rural Education Institute.
East Carolina University Rural Education Institute
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. Loni Crumb, Associate Professor in the Counselor Education Program at East Carolina University, serves as the hub contact for this region.
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:
ECU Next Gen: a teacher pathway program that seeks to cultivate the next generation of rural educators and researchers.
Local and Regional Development: building the capacity of rural places by collaborating with schools and communities.
Rural Education Promotion: articulating and advocating the importance of rural schools and communities.
Research and Evaluation: studying investigating what works in rural schools.
Teaching CARE Corps - My Rural Service Story
Spotlight
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!
Read MoreMore news and stories from our Southeast Hub:
Belonging in Rural Schools: Elevating Student Voice through the GRAD Partnership Storytelling Contest
Students across the national rural GRAD Partnership cohort share what connection, community, and support mean to them
Supports for All Students: Clemson’s Behavior Alliance of South Carolina Strengthens Rural Schools
The Behavior Alliance of South Carolina is partnering with districts such as Anderson 2 to develop district-wide capacity to meet the needs of all learners.
From Understanding to Implementation: East Carolina University Leads the Way on AI in Education
East Carolina University’s AI Teaching and Research Institute is empowering teachers to explore the intersection of AI and education
Science Educators Abroad: East Carolina University Opens New Doors for Rural Teachers
For the last three years, East Carolina University has provided scholarships to rural science teachers to enrich their teaching through immersive study-abroad experiences in Belize and Spain.