FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, Februrary 11, 2019
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University’s Texas Social Media Research Institute (TSMRI) is rolling out two new social innovation initiatives focused on basic needs and entrepreneurship in rural Texas. The initiatives will involve faculty, staff and students from multiple Texas higher education institutions in an attempt to connect individual Texans with national, state and city resources.
“Many rural Texans are not aware of resources that can help them meet their basic needs and start a business,” said TSMRI Executive Director Jennifer T. Edwards. “As a fifth-generation Texan raised in a rural environment and as a caregiver of a Texas veteran, I continue to observe the information and resource awareness disparity experienced by rural Texans.”
Planned are weekly “Rural Texas Outreach Office Hours” through Twitter, “Resources for Rural Texans” information sessions on Facebook Live, weekly rural Texas Twitter chats, rural Texas social media camps, and social media basic needs outreach campaigns in rural communities.
Follow TSMRI on Twitter (@TSMRI) and Facebook (facebook.com/TSMRI). To join its social innovators rural emphasis team, apply by Feb. 15 at https://tinyurl.com/TXInnovation/.
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.
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Contact: Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards, TSMRI Executive Director
254-968-9638
jtedwards@tarleton.edu
