Rural workforce focus of symposium held at Penn College

Published 03.08.2024

Photos by Cindy D. Meixel, writer/editor-Penn College News

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    The Center for Rural Pennsylvania held its “Global Pathways for a Thriving Rural Workforce” symposium at Pennsylvania College of Technology on Friday. The daylong event’s goals involve inspiring rural innovation and policy recommendations for rural communities in need of skilled labor forces to boost local livelihoods; filling industrial gaps; and building inclusive communities that will encourage local leadership or international migration.

    Penn College President Michael J. Reed joined state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23rd) in welcoming the participants attending in the Bush Campus Center and online. Yaw chairs the Center for Rural Pennsylvania’s Board of Directors, as well as the Penn College Board of Directors.

    Also leading the morning’s welcome session was Michael Hackett, foreign service officer, U.S. Department of State. A resident master’s student in strategic studies at the Army War College in Carlisle, Hackett’s career has included assignments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Canada, Ukraine, and the Bureau of African Affairs in Washington, D.C.

    The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is a legislative agency of the state General Assembly.

    Kyle C. Kopko (center), executive director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, joins Yaw (left) and Reed for a pre-symposium photo op.
    Yaw welcomes attendees in Penn's Inn on the second floor of the Bush Campus Center. Online participants also attended.
    Reed discusses Penn College's international recruiting and collaboration efforts, as well as global experiences for students.
    Hackett engages the crowd with his foreign service wisdom and insights.

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