Keep up with the latest news
Episode 11: Connecting Southern Indiana Through the Monon South Trail
Host Denny Spinner talks with Jeff Quyle of Radius Indiana and IU’s Layne Elliott and Kristy Anderson to explore how the Monon South Trail is reshaping southern Indiana by connecting small towns, st... Read more about Episode 11: Connecting Southern Indiana Through the Monon South Trail
O’Neill School grad student puts public affairs into practice across rural Indiana
Through roles at the Center for Rural Engagement, Molly Marcuson is engaging in research, planning, and development efforts that support rural communities across southern Indiana.
The State of Inquiry | Rural Indiana: What We Grow
Explore how land, food systems, and rural values shape decision-making across Indiana’s agricultural communities.
The State of Inquiry | Rural Indiana: The Local News Landscape
A conversation about how rural residents engage with local news, why trust is shifting, and what it means for civic life and the future of journalism.
The State of Inquiry | Rural Indiana: Rural Public Health
An in-depth look at rural Indiana’s greatest public health challenges and how Indiana communities are building solutions that fit their needs.
IU partners with 15 more rural organizations on new public art and design projects
The organizations in rural Indiana will collaborate with Indiana University for the 2026 Rural Placemaking Studio, working alongside IU faculty and students to design vibrant, welcoming and sustainabl... Read more about IU partners with 15 more rural organizations on new public art and design projects
The State of Inquiry | Rural Indiana: Rural Resilience
In this episode, produced by Indiana Public Media, we hear a conversation about the pressures facing rural communities and the innovative ways residents and local leaders are building stronger, more s... Read more about The State of Inquiry | Rural Indiana: Rural Resilience
Sustaining Hoosier Communities initiative heads to Brown County
Sustaining Hoosier Communities started almost a decade ago and has helped communities throughout the state including Lawrence, Orange, Greene, Washington, Dubois and Daviess counties.
IU Bloomington’s community engagement efforts reflected in Carnegie classification
IU Bloomington received the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, highlighting its community-engaged research, teaching, and service. Featured initiatives include the Rura... Read more about IU Bloomington’s community engagement efforts reflected in Carnegie classification
Episode 10: The Great Equalizer: The Vital Role of Rural Libraries
Host Denny Spinner sits down with Teresa Heidenreich, executive director of the Washington Carnegie Public Library, and Susan Graber, director of the Odon Winklepleck Public Library, to explo... Read more about Episode 10: The Great Equalizer: The Vital Role of Rural Libraries
Senior lecturer Schwibs leads Media School documentary collaboration at Beck’s Mill
Through Sustaining Hoosier Communities, students from The Media School and IU School of Public Health worked with Friends of Beck’s Mill to enhance visitor engagement through new programming and... Read more about Senior lecturer Schwibs leads Media School documentary collaboration at Beck’s Mill
Brown County to launch new IU collaboration with Sustaining Hoosier Communities
The Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement and Brown County will work together to advance community-identified projects through the center’s Sustaining Hoosier Communities initiative in 2... Read more about Brown County to launch new IU collaboration with Sustaining Hoosier Communities
Carnegie Community Engagement Classification awarded to 3 IU campuses
Indiana University’s Bloomington, Indianapolis and Southeast campuses have earned the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification from the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Fou... Read more about Carnegie Community Engagement Classification awarded to 3 IU campuses
New murals spark pride and connection in New Pekin and Spencer
New Pekin and Spencer recently unveiled new public murals shaped through creative development in collaboration with the Rural Placemaking Studio in summer 2024.
Indiana University turns small-town dreams into community action plans
Municipal and county leaders often hire consultants for analysis and assessment when drafting economic development plans, but the support can be costly. For Daviess County, Indiana, having Indiana Uni... Read more about Indiana University turns small-town dreams into community action plans
Main Street makeover: Businesses in Shoals get boost from IU revitalization initiative
Small businesses along Main Street in Shoals, Indiana, recently received a boost thanks to a partnership with the Rural Placemaking Studio. The project paired IU faculty and students with business own... Read more about Main Street makeover: Businesses in Shoals get boost from IU revitalization initiative
Sustaining Hoosier Communities supports Daviess County in addressing childcare shortage
Faced with a growing population and a significant shortage of childcare options, community leaders in Daviess County partnered with the IU Center for Rural Engagement’s Sustaining Hoosier Communi... Read more about Sustaining Hoosier Communities supports Daviess County in addressing childcare shortage
Second year of Rural Scholars Program brings growth and new focus areas
The Rural Scholars Program offers students the unique opportunity to use their knowledge and expertise to support initiatives across the state of Indiana.
Rural communities invited to apply for Indiana University’s 2026 Rural Placemaking Studio
The Rural Placemaking Studio is a partnership between the IU ServeDesign Center at the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design and the IU Center for Rural Engagement. The initiative helps rural... Read more about Rural communities invited to apply for Indiana University’s 2026 Rural Placemaking Studio
Episode 9: Strengthening Rural Communities Through University Partnerships
Guests Cindy Barber, county extension director at Purdue Extension Daviess County, and Scott Burgins, clinical assistant professor at IU’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, jo... Read more about Episode 9: Strengthening Rural Communities Through University Partnerships