Welcome to Mile Markers, a biweekly newsletter about rural higher education.

I’m just a little over a week into my role as the rural engagement reporter at Open Campus, and I’m really looking forward to what we’re going to build here together. If we haven’t met yet, my name is Emily Lytle. I’m a journalist with roots in southeastern Pennsylvania who is currently living in Columbia, Mo.

As I familiarize myself more with the rural higher ed beat, I’m starting to dream up ways for Mile Markers to be a source of connection and community. More than a list of recent stories — though original reporting will certainly be part of this — my vision is for this newsletter to be a dock or landing of sorts. A place where we begin to exchange ideas before diving deeper into collaboration.

What does that look like? Honestly, I’m not sure yet. I have some ideas buzzing around my brain — maybe it’s finding creative ways to meet online or in-person, or exploring new platforms or methods for communicating?

But above all, I would love for you to be a part of this process. Would you take this brief survey to tell me a little more about yourself and how you like to engage with both news and people?

If you’d rather hop on a 15-minute call, you can book a time here. If none of those times work for you, hit reply on this email, and we can set something up.

And if you want extra kudos from me, share it with a colleague or friend who also cares about rural higher education and job training. Thanks a million!

Two Philadelphia health giants enter race for Delaware medical school

As I talk to people about what stories I should be covering in rural higher ed, one has come up more than others: how institutions are working to attract and retain health care workers in rural areas. Since I worked as a reporter in southern Delaware, covering stories like community hospitals limiting services, this story from Spotlight Delaware stood out to me. I’d love to hear what similar stories you are seeing in your communities.

More than a quarter of private colleges are at risk of closing, new projection shows

Of course, I love a story that starts with images of newborn lambs. This Hechinger Report story shows the real impact on students and the local economy when Sterling College in Vermont closes, as well as how it fits into the larger context of college closures.

This also reminded me of another story that caught my eye when scouring the Mile Markers archive, which told of the impact of WVU Tech leaving Montgomery, W.V. (A fun fact: I’m a triplet, and my siblings and I take a trip every year. Last year, we visited Fayetteville, W.V., which isn’t far from where this story takes place. Photo evidence below.)

All my best,

Emily

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