By Ryan Duey

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced more than $44.5 million for 22 grants under the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) program to improve rates of postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion among rural students through the development of high-quality career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the region.

Two Kansas college/universities were awarded grants under this program:

1. Independence Community College was awarded $2,225,606 to help enhance career and education opportunities for high school students.

2. Newman University was awarded $2,103,308 to help provide academic and career support to students in the fields of agribusiness, business, education, nursing, and sonography.

Applicants for the RPED grant program were encouraged to provide programs to support secondary students in accessing postsecondary education, to include partnerships with career pathways, and to provide strategies for community college students to transition to a four-year institution.