The Development of Rural America in the Age of the Knowledge-Driven Economy.

Several trends indicate that rural America can benefit from information-based and service sector job creation. Among the more significant trends are the movement of people from urban and suburban to rural areas, the decreasing importance of location due to communication technology, the growth of jobs in the service section, the growing dissatisfaction with the nation's largest cities, and the mobility of modern business. Higher education can play a role in moving rural America toward this desired future by raising the levels of higher education in the rural work force, and assisting with the enhancement of the quality of life in the communities in the school's service region. Higher education must also provide leadership for the development of a workable public policy initiative. As a regional state college, Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska is dedicated to student development and regional development. Four premises guide the college's work in student development: (1) students are human capital; (2) the college must reach, educate and graduate more of the potential students in its rural service region and the key to this is by remaining affordable and accessible; (3) the college emphasis is on teaching and support services in a personalized setting increases its students' likelihood for success; and (4) by addressing the traditional purpose of higher education--human resource development--the college will be able to make a major impact on the essence of rural revitalization. In terms of regional development, Wayne State College is a center for education, the arts, cultural activity, and community and economic development. The college aggressively delivers its public service program to the communities in the service region, and carries out a regional agenda for the benefit of statewide development. (KS)