Brain Drain Is Not A Rural Inevitability

We invite you to read Sarah Halasz Graham's third and final installment in a journalistic series that explores the causes behind, impacts of, and solutions to rural brain drain. It is not inevitable that bright young people must leave small towns and out-of-the way places, but stemming the tide will take thoughtful and intentional efforts. Click here to read the Southern Illinoisan article in its entirety.

We are particularly pleased that Graham interviewed David Ardrey, executive director of the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS). Ardrey is chairman of the Rural Schools Collaborative board of directors, and AIRSS is a founding partner of our organization.

We also encourage you to check out Graham's second piece in the series, Generation Gone. Graham is a graduate of Northwestern University and writes for the Southern Illinoisan, which is based out of Carbondale, IL.