Alyssa Morton 8/3/26 Alyssa Morton 8/3/26

Texas Is Showing What It Looks Like to Back Rural Collaboration

Rural districts are creating stronger college and career pathways by working together. Alyssa Morton looks at new research on regional collaboratives and Texas’s latest R-PEP grants, showing how state policy, funding, and implementation support can help locally designed partnerships grow.

Alyssa Morton and Luke Rhine 7/1/26 Alyssa Morton and Luke Rhine 7/1/26

The $50 Billion Rural Healthcare Opportunity States Can’t Afford To Miss

Morton and Rhine: States should use the new federal dollars to build a healthcare talent pipeline for rural communities, starting in high school.

Empower Schools Communications 4/7/26 Empower Schools Communications 4/7/26

Inside 5 Rural Texas Districts That Together Set Students on Path to the Future

High schoolers travel to districts up to an hour away to attend academies in welding, teaching, nursing, robotics — and earn college credit.

Empower Schools Communications 9/3/25 Empower Schools Communications 9/3/25

Empower Schools Awarded $750,000 Grant from Greater Texas Foundation

Empower Schools is proud to announce a $750,000 grant from Greater Texas Foundation to support the expansion of Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships (R-PEP) to three additional regions: Region 14, Region 1, and Region 16, and support broader efforts to spread the rural collaborative model.

Empower Schools Communications 7/29/25 Empower Schools Communications 7/29/25

Heartland Innovation: Indiana Superintendent Neal Adams

A conversation with Randolph, IN Superintendent Neal Adams on building successful, innovative rural school communities, including a "grow your own" teacher program, and healthcare industry apprenticeships. Taped live at ASU+GSV 2025 and hosted by CER's Caroline Allen.

Empower Schools Communications 7/15/25 Empower Schools Communications 7/15/25

The Education Ecosystem - Reshaping Community Partnerships

Featuring Empower Schools Director, PBS Michiana discusses ommunities, schools, and businesses reshaping partnerships amidst an ever-changing education landscape.

Empower Schools Communications 12/19/24 Empower Schools Communications 12/19/24

What's More Bipartisan Than Rural Career Pathway Initiatives?

This webinar delves into how rural collaboratives can transform life trajectories for rural high school students and create sustainable economic development for their communities. Featuring Empower Schools CEO Alyssa Morton, Texas State Rep. Brad Buckley, Colorado State Rep. Eliza Hamrick, and Mike Gonzalez of the Rural Schools Innovation Zone.

Empower Schools Communications 12/19/24 Empower Schools Communications 12/19/24

Career Pathway Initiatives: A Bipartisan Solution for Rural Education?

The Rural Collaborative model, inspired by Texas’ Rural Schools Innovation Zone (RSIZ), aims to better align educational pathways with local economic needs. Speakers will include RSIZ Executive Director Michael Gonzalez, Texas State Rep. Brad Buckley, Colorado State Rep. Eliza Hamrick and Empower Schools CEO Alyssa Morton.

Empower Schools Communications 7/10/24 Empower Schools Communications 7/10/24

Build Momentum Rural Innovation Series ft Jessica Morrison

Empower Schools Communications 5/25/24 Empower Schools Communications 5/25/24

Helping students in rural Colorado explore different career pathways

Learn how Empower Schools supports SCEC as rural Colorado partners expand shared courses, work-based learning, and career pathways across districts.

Empower Schools Communications 3/21/24 Empower Schools Communications 3/21/24

Elevating Rural Colorado

Elevating Rural Colorado examines five years of policy, funding, and partnership supporting career-connected learning and economic development in rural communities.