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Seymour Center, IIRA Awarded Grant to Assist in Digital Literacy

October 13, 2026

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MACOMB, IL - - The Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) has awarded a two-year, $50,000 grant to the Seymour Center for Rural Education and the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs (IIRA) to assist with their social outreach.

In partnership with Illinois State University, the Connected Stories program provides the opportunity for the Seymour Center and the IIRA to engage with regional libraries, museums and schools to address the particular digital and technological concerns impacting rural spaces.

"All of this reflects the core mission of the Seymour Center to conduct research, develop policy, and advocate for rural education in the region and across the state," Seymour Center for Rural Education Director Eric Sheffield said. "This grant provides the opportunity to not only address the particular digital and technological issues of concern in rural spaces, but will also strengthen partnerships between schools and other public educational spaces such as libraries and museums."

The first year of this project will focus on relationship building, low-risk piloting and formative learning, according to the IIN, allowing them to build the program to maximize the organizations' outreach.

"The IIRA is pleased to participate in this project because it helps us to deliver on our mission, which is to improve the quality of life in rural places," IIRA Director Christopher Merrett said. "Libraries, museums and schools are essential elements of our rural communities. This grant will help us to increase the educational capacity of these important anchor institutions."

Following the first year of work, curriculum toolkits will be developed that will be available for adoption by rural libraries, schools and community groups across Illinois.

For more information on the Seymour Center for Rural Education, visit wiu.edu/coehs/education/centers/rural_center. To learn more about IIRA, visit wiu.edu/iira.

Posted By: Aaron Viner (AP-Viner@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing