Nine students began the new online master’s degree program in community development at Iowa State University this fall. They join students from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, South Dakota State University, Kansas State University and soon University of Missouri and North Dakota State University in an electronic learning community.

These universities are part of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance, and the program is designed for people doing community development work in nonprofit organizations, colleges, communities, community organizations and governments.

Students study with educators and researchers representing several fields, including community and regional planning, architecture, sociology, Native American studies, economics, and natural resources, according to Susan Fey, with the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development that handles the program at ISU. The program is completely online, so students don’t have to physically be on campus to participate. It’s also asynchronous, so students can participate online at any time.

That made sense to Leomi L. Bergknut, from Hilo, Hawaii, an educational specialist with the Hawaii Community College Rural Development Project.

“This type of degree is not offered on our island,” Bergknut said. “The online program will give me an opportunity to communicate with others nationwide and advance my technological skills.”

Marsha Laux, a value-added agriculture specialist with ISU and the Ag Marketing Resource Center, said, “The online community development program should provide me with insights, tools and knowledge to bring about sustainable development to our rural places, to help make a difference in our society.”

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