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Cynthia Struthers, associate professor at the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University, will begin to serve her three-year term as the executive director and treasurer of the Rural Sociological Society (RSS) July 1 (2015). RSS Council members appointed her to the position at the organization's mid-year meeting held last month in Madison (WI).
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WIU IIRA Faculty Member Appointed Rural Sociological Society Executive Director/Treasurer

March 10, 2015

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MACOMB, IL — A Western Illinois University faculty member has been appointed as the incoming executive director and treasurer of the Rural Sociological Society (RSS). Cynthia Struthers, associate professor at the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at WIU, will begin to serve her three-year term July 1 (2015). RSS Council members appointed her to the position at the organization's mid-year meeting held last month in Madison (WI).

Struthers, who also specializes in family, community and rural sociology coursework in Western's sociology and anthropology department, said her appointment benefits both the IIRA and WIU.

"I am very excited to assume the role of executive director of the Rural Sociological Society. I believe having the RSS business office at WIU will provide opportunities for the students' professional development, along with employment opportunities," she noted. "Students will be involved in many aspects of RSS, including management of the annual meetings, which will require them to travel beyond the tri-state area."

According to Struthers, she plans to staff the business office with undergraduate and graduate students, creating new student-employment opportunities.

She noted that WIU faculty who engage in rural research and rural issues should consider joining RSS.

"We are always seeking cross-disciplinary colleagues who hold an interest in rural places, nationally and internationally," Struthers said.

The Rural Sociological Society business office will complete the transition from Brigham Young University in Provo (UT) to the WIU campus (to be housed within the IIRA) in August 2015.

For more information, contact Struthers at (309) 298-2282. Learn more about the Rural Sociological Society at www.ruralsociology.org.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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