UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Rural Leadership (RULE) Program is accepting applicants for a two-year leadership training initiative.

The initiative helps rural residents to develop their leadership skills as they improve the quality of life in their local communities. The program focuses on developing participants' communication skills, visualization skills, personal leadership and understanding of specific community issues.

The RULE program is a partnership supported by Penn State and a grant from the Governor's Center for Local Government Services in the Department of Community and Economic Development, as well as public and private contributions. It combines the resources of the department of agricultural economics and rural sociology in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences with experts from the state's public and private sectors to form a diversified leadership program for adults concerned with public issues.

RULE is accepting applications until July 30. Adult rural Pennsylvania residents (or those with rural constituencies) will be judged on experience, needs and potential. Consideration will be given to applicants' interests, diverse backgrounds, and demonstrated commitment to community involvement and solving public issues.

The first year of the training will emphasize local, regional and state public policy issues. The second year addresses national and international issues. RULE fellows are admitted without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation or veteran status.

Applications or more information can be obtained from: RULE, The Pennsylvania State University, 6 Armsby Building, University Park, PA 16802; or by calling 814-863-4679.

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EDITORS: For more information, please contact Ruth Weber at 814-863-4679.

Contacts: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax