Dana Stephenson

Dana Stephenson is the co-founder of work-based learning firm Riipen, which he started as an undergraduate college student and has since grown to work with more than 700 colleges and universities across North America.

Op-ed

Rural colleges, and their communities, are in trouble. Here’s what we can do

Dana Stephenson - May 27, 2025

For rural colleges, the path forward is about more than keeping the doors open—it’s about rethinking an institution’s role in the community.