; (B) community outreach initiatives to encourage nontraditional students to enroll in an institution of higher education; (C) programs to increase rural nontraditional student persistence in and completion of postsecondary education; or (D) programs to improve the enrollment of nontraditional students in 2-year degree programs and the transition of nontraditional students articulating from 2-year degree programs to 4-year degree programs. (3) Creating or strengthening academic programs at rural serving institutions of higher education to prepare graduates to enter into high-need occupations in the regional and local economies, and to provide additional career training to such students in fields relevant to the regional economy. Such activities may include— (A) developing and expanding work-based learning opportunities, such as apprenticeships or paid internships, including covering the cost of transportation or the cost of internet access for virtual opportunities; (B) establishing policies and processes for assessing and awarding course credit for prior learning; (C) developing and expanding programs that accelerate learning and recognized postsecondary credential attainment, including competency-based education, corequisite remediation, and other strategies for acceleration; (D) developing and expanding efficient career pathways to credentials, including the development of stackable credentials and integrated education and training strategies; (E) working with local boards on the use of labor market information for making program decisions; or (F) engaging employers in the development of programs and curricula. (4) Generating local and regional economic development that creates employment opportunities for rural students with postsecondary degrees, which may include— (A) promoting and incentivizing remote work opportunities to connect local talent with non-local employers; (B) supporting entrepreneurship as a part of career pathways in secondary school and postsecondary academic and career programs