The Influence Rural Leaders Have on Local Population Change: A Two-part Study

Authors

Nichole T. Reiner, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

LJ McElravy

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Committee Members

Daniela Mattos; Lindsay Hastings; Mary Emery

Department

Human Sciences (Leadership Studies)

Date of this Version

5-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Citation

A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Major: Human Sciences (Leadership Studies)

Under the supervision of Professor LJ McElravy

Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2025

Comments

Copyright 2025, Nichole T. Reiner. Used by permission

Abstract

This two-part research study aims to understand factors that influence a rural community population and how local leaders believe they can influence those factors to impact population changes. The first study focuses identifying factors that predict population change using a linear regression model. The second study is a multiple case study focused on three communities, where a mix of secondary data and community leader interviews provided an in-depth understanding of how local leaders perceive their capacity to influence factors influencing population change in their communities.

Advisor: LJ McElravy

Recommended Citation

Reiner, Nichole T., "The Influence Rural Leaders Have on Local Population Change: A Two-part Study" (2025). Dissertations and Doctoral Documents from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–. 290.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissunl/290