Drennon attends RCCA meeting in Washington, D. C.

SEDALIA—State Fair Community College President Dr. Marsha Drennon recently joined the Rural Community College Alliance (RCCA) in Washington, D.C., to discuss the specific challenges and opportunities unique to rural community colleges. 

Drennon was one of 12 community college presidents from across the nation invited to meet with policymakers Feb. 29 through March 2 at the White House and at key federal agencies.

“The meetings were a tremendous success,” said Drennon. “One of the most significant results was that RCCA signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Agriculture whereby funding will be set aside for community colleges to expand programming and services related to sustainable agriculture, biomass and energy-related courses and other community capacity building activities.

 “The MOU will provide a direct link between our college and the many programs, loans and grants offered by the USDA.”

This is the first time the USDA has entered into an agreement like this with an organization of higher education institutions, said Drennon.

“Rural community colleges are often the drivers of economic and workforce development so they are vital in a community such as ours,” she said. “We appreciate the fact that the USDA recognizes the important work rural colleges are doing.”