Image credit: Total Shape

Since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a steady stream of events (e.g., socio-political unrest, economic stressors, systemic racism, health disparities) that have created enormous pressure on higher education to sustain their mission and to support their students adequately. These pressures have been particularly sharp for community colleges in rural areas. The primary aim of the presentation is to provide an up-to-date overview of the challenges and a summary of feasible student support innovations that can be implemented and sustained in rural community colleges.