Clemson’s first dean’s fellow for rural education brings renowned scholar, SC native back home

Darris Means is no stranger to "inaugural" or "firsts." As the Clemson University College of Education's inaugural dean's fellow for rural education, Means adds a third "inaugural" to his resumé. The College's leadership and faculty plan to work alongside Means to positively impact rural education in South Carolina and beyond.

The key, according to Means, is in partnership. It is not faculty members working together to provide a "correct answer" for districts and communities. It is not Means speaking through a district office to tell a school what it should be doing for students. To Means, the key is listening and learning from multiple people and groups.

The College of Education has introduced its first dean's fellow for rural education to bring every stakeholder in education to the table to address challenges and opportunities in rural districts and schools, improve student outcomes and celebrate and enhance the unique learning opportunities inherent in these settings.

"The danger is in approaching things from one angle; education scholars or teachers or principals will have many answers, but not all of them," Means said. "What rural schools and communities need are multi-sector responses that see everyone working alongside rural communities, spending time listening and thinking about what we can do together."

For the past 10-plus years, Means has focused on rural education, and his work has supported youth on pathways to and through higher education. He has seen a greater need to examine the resources and opportunities available to rural youth, not just bachelor-awarding institutions but in post-secondary education in general.

He said not every road leads to a bachelor's degree, so rural education also needs to focus on students who will take advantage of certificate programs, associate degrees or job training. Means said resources and opportunities are not the same even across rural locations in the state, so geographical, social and economic contexts are also critical when discussing education.

"These are systemwide issues; so much of what students have available can be shaped just by geography," Means said. "Broadband access-only one example-can be a challenge for rural youth, so whole sections of a population can be left behind when education becomes increasingly online."

Means' first orders of business are meeting as many people as possible and building relationships. As a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and a Clemson alumnus, Means is no stranger to the state, rurality or Clemson University. Means knows that sustainable impact only comes from trust and relationships with partners across the PreK-20+ system of public education, government, business and industry.

Means is also keenly aware of the power of social capital. He is interested in examining education through the eyes of rural youth to consider who supports them, who they trust and to whom they go for guidance. Outside of typical sources, such as a school counselor, Means wants to consider any source that can advocate for and promote a "post-secondary education going" culture.

According to Kristin Gehsmann, dean of the College of Education, the College focuses on expanding access to high-quality educational opportunities and experiences throughout the lives and careers of individuals across the state with a particular focus on rural and underserved communities.

The College's rural education initiatives require a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that recognizes and leverages the unique "community cultural wealth" often overlooked in rural communities. She said Means is engaging in work that will help shape the College's strategy for partnering with rural communities for years to come.

"As a land-grant institution, Clemson is committed to collaborating with rural partners to understand and address the issues facing rural schools and communities," Gehsmann said. "Dr. Means is a nationally recognized scholar and leader in rural education. Among his greatest skills is listening with the intent of understanding and building on peoples' and communities' strengths, hopes and aspirations. We are delighted and fortunate to have him join our College and Clemon University."

Means is a professor in the Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership Development. He most recently served as an associate professor of higher education and the inaugural executive director for rural and community-based education at the University of Pittsburgh.

Means began his faculty career at the University of Georgia, serving as an assistant professor of college student affairs administration and then an associate professor of college student affairs administration. Before his faculty career, Means served as the inaugural assistant director and then inaugural associate director of Elon University's Elon Academy, a college access and success program for students in Alamance County, North Carolina, who are the first in their families to attend college or have a financial need.

Means uses critical, participatory and visual methodologies and methods to investigate opportunity gaps in in education, particularly STEM education; the influence of state and federal policy; and economic, social and educational conditions related to educational access and opportunity.

Means earned a Ph.D. in educational research and policy analysis with a concentration in higher education from North Carolina State University, a master's degree in counselor education with a concentration in student affairs from Clemson University, and a bachelor's degree in political science and sociology from Elon University.

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