This report describes an educational partnership between South Dakota State University and Capital University Center, Inc. (CUC), (Pierre, South Dakota). CUC is a nonprofit organization founded in 1982 to provide access to higher education for residents of rural central South Dakota. CUC contracts with South Dakota State University for educational programs and provides on-site management services, equipment, facilities, and marketing. An educational grant allowed this partnership to expand and include two other universities in providing associate degree programs (nursing and business), short-term training opportunities, and development of adjunct faculty skills. Higher education services have been provided to 3,237 students, 25 hospitals and nursing homes, and numerous businesses and agencies throughout 86 communities in central South Dakota. Features of this approach include comparatively low costs for instruction and administration; use of highly qualified local individuals as adjunct faculty; marketing approach to education; tailoring of programs based on adult learner needs; joint use of facilities; education as an integral part of economic development; and ongoing evaluation. This partnership has continued to grow in response to community needs and has proven to be cost effective in providing higher education and promoting rural economic development. (LP)