When higher education institutions were asked to take a fresh look at rural Virginia, it was with full awareness of the scope and scale of activity already underway in this area. The main document that follows looks broadly at challenges common to all of Virginia's rural regions, identifies initiatives underway in key areas, and explores ideas for action and policy. A companion appendix specifically catalogs the ways in which Virginia higher education institutions are responding to some of these challenges and areas of opportunities to strengthen that response.

The complex challenges of rural Virginia cannot be answered by one set of institutions or in one paper. This was clearly recognized in this process through input from thought leaders and stakeholders from around the Commonwealth. With that in mind, this paper is offered as an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to old partnerships and develop new ones to move rural Virginia forward.