Virginia Tech Center for Rural Education

10/06/2026

🎶Join us for a Front Porch Conversation on Rural Music Education!🌾
The Center for Rural Education invites you to an engaging webinar with Dr. Catheryn Foster, Associate Professor of Practice in Music Education at Virginia Tech.

October 28, 2026
4:00–5:00 p.m. ET
Online via Zoom (registration link below)

Dr. Foster will explore how a music teacher’s place-based knowledge can influence the success of rural school music programs. The conversation will be hosted by Dr. Amy Price Azano and Dr. Clint Whitten.

Registration is required: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Utuecb96SVSDwOgkaw9IYA #/registration

Learn more at rural.vt.edu or contact [email protected].

09/21/2026

🦋✨ Remember Dolly. Celebrate Rural. ✨🦋

Join us, this Friday 9-2-5, for community, cornbread, and a cup of ambition as we celebrate the life and legacy of the one and only Dolly Parton—a true rural icon!

📍 Dietrick Lawn, outside D2
🗓️ Friday, September 25
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM

Come as you are, bring a friend, and let’s celebrate rural roots, small-town communities, and a little Dolly magic. 💗

Y’all come on! (All are welcome!)

09/08/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡! 🎉

Rural public school teachers—you could receive up to $2,500 for an individual grant to develop an innovative, student-centered Place-Based Education project during the 2026–27 school year. ✏️ 🌱 🙌

Apply now before the deadline on October 30, 2026, 11:59 CT.

👉 Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeaPWmnxXK4BOjrNw4Z0Lcb9T2rs-3P37KqZ9ekXFDjfQmHBQ/viewform

09/04/2026

Context is everything!

Working conditions and community involvement can top pay for rural educators.

08/25/2026

Go Annie, Go! Annie was selected as a humanities fellow with the Center for Humanities at Virginia Tech!

As the fall semester begins, the Center welcomes two new graduate student fellows. Please meet Annie Shaba, a Ph.D. candidate in Foundations of Education, and Shuvro Das, a Ph.D. candidate in the Rhetoric and Writing Program. Welcome, and Go Hokies!

08/12/2026

We share our congratulations and gratitude to Dr. Roberto for all she’s done to support the CRE!💗

After 30 years of scholarship, mentorship and service to Virginia Tech, University Distinguished Professor Karen Roberto is retiring.

Roberto has left an enduring mark on the university and the communities she has served, leading the Institute for Society, Culture and Environment and advancing research on aging and family relationships.

Read more: go.vt.edu/usbFG

08/05/2026

07/31/2026