Slippery Rock University President Karen Riley was introduced and officially sworn in as an appointee of the Pennsylvania Rural Population Revitalization Commission, Jan. 10, at a news conference at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.
Riley, along with 15 other appointees from across the state, are part of the newly created commission to review and recommend solutions to attract and retain residents in rural areas of Pennsylvania.
“I’m honored to serve on this commission and address some of the challenges that are facing the rural communities we serve,” Riley said. “Our efforts align with the mission of SRU and other public universities to enhance the quality of life for people in Pennsylvania and to grow our state’s economy. I look forward to collaborating with members of the commission, as well as local business and community leaders, to find ways to ensure that rural Pennsylvania is a destination for people to learn, work, live and prosper.”
Established by Act 21 of 2024, legislation with bicameral, bipartisan support, the commission will focus on addressing the challenges posed by population shifts and changing demographics in rural communities across Pennsylvania. The commission will also recommend necessary legislative and regulatory changes to support rural revitalization.
Appointees include members of the state legislators, county commissioners, chambers of commerce presidents and other civic leaders. Riley was appointed the commission to represent Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
The commission will inform medium- and long-term planning at the county, regional and state levels, and its findings will guide efforts to address policy issues such as workforce availability, housing, health care, education and transportation.
Commission appointees include:
- Kyle Kopko, chairman, Pennsylvania Rural Population Revitalization Commission; Executive Director, Center for Rural Pennsylvania.
- Senator Judy Schwank.
- Senator Judy Ward.
- Representative Paul Takac.
- Representative Michael Stender.
- Albert Abramovic, Venango County Commissioner.
- Betsy McClure, Greene County Commissioner.
- Janet Pennington, school board member, Southeastern Greene School District.
- Mark Critz, Western Regional Director, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture; Executive Director, Pennsylvania Rural Development Council
- Drew Popish, Northeast Regional Director, Office of Governor Shapiro
- Lisa Davis, Director, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health
- Dr. Karen Riley, President, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
- Jordan Grady, President, Butler County Chamber of Commerce
- Gina Suydam, President, Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce
- Nathan Lesh, Vice President, Pennsylvania Future Farmers of America
For more information, visit www.rural.pa.gov/commission.