Establishing a University-Based Collaborative for Research and Engagement With Rural Communities.

Area of Science:

• Rural Health
• Community Engagement
• Academic Collaboration

Background:

• Rural communities face significant health and social disparities in the U.S.
• University systems, particularly land-grant institutions, have a responsibility to serve all communities, including rural ones.
• The University of Minnesota established the Rural Collective to address this need for rural-focused academic engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the benefits and impact of the Rural Collective for its members.
• To identify key features contributing to the program's success.
• To provide insights for other institutions engaging with rural populations.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted in summer 2024 among members of the Rural Collective.
• The survey targeted 66 members to gather feedback on program benefits.
• Data analysis focused on reported learning, new connections, and perceived program value.

Main Results:

• Virtual meetings and weekly emails were identified as highly beneficial program features.
• Nearly 90% of members reported learning new information about rural work.
• Over 71% of members formed new connections or collaborations through the Collective.

Conclusions:

• The Rural Collective is perceived as highly valuable by its members, addressing a critical need.
• The program successfully facilitates learning and collaboration in rural-focused work.
• Findings suggest the Rural Collective model may be replicable for other institutions committed to rural engagement.