Morehead State receives a $2.2 million grant for rural education

Morehead State University takes pride in its mission to educate students for success in a global environment while improving the quality of life of communities in its service region. MSU recently received significant federal funding to benefit its eastern Kentucky and rural communities.

In December 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration announced Morehead State was one of 22 higher education institutions to receive $44.5 million in grants to improve rates of postsecondary education enrollment, persistence, and completion among students in rural communities. The University received over $2.2 million to assist high school students with college enrollment and provide internships and career opportunities to postsecondary students.

“This project is an example of Morehead State University responding to the needs of the region for high-skilled employees,” said Dr. Dan Connell, assistant vice president of regional education and outreach. “These students will begin to develop these skills while in high school and sharpen them while at the University resulting in economic development in the region.”

MSU was one of four colleges in Kentucky to receive grants. The funding comes courtesy of the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) grant program, which promotes the development of career pathways toward promising, in-demand occupations in the region.

"When we invest in postsecondary attainment in rural communities, we create pathways for students to find rewarding careers that do not require them to leave their hometowns for economic opportunity," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "These grant awards will help rural institutions Raise the Bar for student success and the attainment of valuable degrees and credentials that lead to brighter futures and greater prosperity."

To learn more about MSU's outreach efforts, contact the Office of Regional Education and Outreach at aeca@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-2005.