91Âţ». Jen Collins, director of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Education, was recently invited by to serve on the . The permanent appointment will begin in April 2020.
According to the , the advisory council focuses on a range of community concerns that affect rural areas, including education and overall quality-of-life issues. The council will examine the increasing challenges facing rural school districts (revenue caps, declining enrollments, high-cost programs, reductions in categorical aids and increasing transportation expenses) and, with input from rural school and community leaders, will identify the array of services and financial resources needed to support rural schools and communities.
“I am thrilled to have been selected to the Rural Advisory Council,” said Collins. “To be part of conversations that revolve around meeting the needs of rural schools and communities is an amazing opportunity, and I look forward to not only highlighting what is occurring in Southwest Wisconsin, but also learning what is happening across the state. The School of Education’s mission is to build a teaching workforce that is responsive to the needs of rural schools and communities, and collaborating with members of this advisory board can help us to that end.”
“This is an excellent opportunity for Jen to shine, and for the School of Education to be recognized for the important work it is doing in rural education," said 91Âţ». Melissa Gormley, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Education at UW-Platteville. “Jen’s energy and drive are incomparable. She jumped into her position as director of the School of Education and hit the ground running.”