K-State named partner institution in national rural education leadership center
Kansas State University has been selected by the University Council for Educational Administration as an institutional associate member for the Center for Innovative Rural Collaborative Leadership Education, or CIRCLE.
Karen Eppley, associate professor of education and director of the Rural Education Center in the College of Education, will serve as an associate director of CIRCLE, along with faculty from host institution Clemson University, and other institutional associate members, East Carolina University and North Carolina State University.
CIRCLE emphasizes collaboration and engagement between rural school leaders and university-based researchers who share a common commitment of supporting rural education.
“Rural places are often talked about in a deficit-based way,” Eppley said, “but what’s exciting about CIRCLE is how it will center rural school community assets and voices by centering rural cultural community wealth.”
CIRCLE will emphasize Research-Practice Partnerships to amplify rural voices and disrupt rural stereotypes through leadership support, and disseminate partnership results focused on improving the preparation and practice of educational leaders in rural contexts.
The multi-institutional design will support Research-Practice Partnerships, promote rural research, and support the capacity of rural educational leaders to contribute to and apply research findings.
“CIRCLE is a great opportunity for the Kansas rural school leaders in our Rural Professional Development Network, many of whom lead schools that are underserved by programs like this one,” Eppley said.
The CIRCLE affiliation will amplify the Rural Education Center’s existing work to support rural schools, build rural school district capacity, and support rural voices. The CIRCLE leadership team includes joining Eppley and K-State in this multi-institutional work includes:
- Associate Director Lisa Bass, associate professor at North Carolina State University.
- Host Kristen Cuthrell, professor and department chair of education and human development and Dean’s Fellow in Rural Education and Outreach at Clemson University.
- Associate Director Hans Klar, professor and chair of the department of educational and organizational leadership development at Clemson University.
- Associate Director Matthew Militello, Wells Fargo Distinguished Professor in Educational Leadership at East Carolina University.