University of Southern Indiana

Southern Indiana Rural Communities Summit: Plugging the Brain Drain

The number of young adults leaving rural Indiana communities is alarmingly high.

Through a collaborative effort to assess the dangerous trend, German American Bank, Perry Spencer Communications, and University of Southern Indiana are sponsoring the Southern Indiana Rural Communities Summit: Plugging the Brain Drain from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST on Thursday, September 8 at the Huntingburg Event Center.

The summit will focus on the devastating impact of brain drain to rural communities. The event will also feature a facilitated session defining the challenges and ideas that will create actions to help reverse the brain drain in Indiana’s smaller communities.

Topics featured during the summit will include “Changing Demographics of Rural Indiana: Our Schools and Communities,” Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means for America, and “Best Practices in Indiana and Beyond.” Presenters will include Dr. Mohammed Khayum, dean of the USI College of Business; Dr. Sue Ellspermann, director of USI Center for Applied Research; Charmaine McDowell, director of USI Center for Human Resource Development; and David Terrell, executive director of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

The event is designed for:

· State Legislators

· Local Elected Officials

· Economic Development Professionals

· School Administrators

· Community Leaders

· Business Leaders

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman will be the special guest.

The first 50 registrants will receive a free copy of Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means for America by Patrick Carr and Maria Kefalas.

This event is underwritten by German American Bank, Perry Spencer Communications, and University of Southern Indiana. There is no fee to attend. Breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided.

The Huntingburg Event Center is located at 110 E. 14^th Street Huntingburg, IN 47542.

For more information, or to register, contact the Division of Outreach and Engagement at 812/464-1989 or 800/467-8600. Registrations can also be completed online at https://www.usi.edu/extserv/ssl/regform.asp with course number PSV251.

Click here for a complete agenda.