Rural community colleges have an important role to play in the economic development of their communities and in preparing community members for technological, economic, and societal changes. Community-based programming (CBP) is one tool utilized by colleges to become aware of local problems by collaborating with citizens, leaders, and community-based organizations and agencies to identify and seek resolutions to major issues in the community. The CBP model has been effectively employed to combat illiteracy, one of the most pervasive problems facing rural communities. Specific strategies employed by the Appalachia Regional Steering Committee to address the problem of illiteracy in its region include the following: (1) policy strategies, such as identifying and working with community leaders to become involved in community development activities; (2) dispositional strategies, including promoting equal opportunity for rural adults and establishing peer support and career planning activities; (3) situational strategies, such as lobbying for reductions in transportation and educational costs; and (4) institutional strategies, including the development of cooperative partnerships at all levels. Finally, another pressing issue facing rural communities is educational access. Rural community colleges are providing technological learning systems such as distance education programs and instructional television broadcast channels to increase educational and employment opportunities. (TGI)