When Savannah Hunsucker went on a retreat during her first semester at Southern Methodist University, she was taken aback by her classmates’ awe at seeing stars in the night sky. Growing up in a small town in Kansas, stars were a familiar sight to her, but this experience made her realize how different her rural upbringing was from those around her.
The STARS College Network aims to help students like Hunsucker feel more welcomed at selective colleges. The network, comprised of 32 colleges and universities, focuses on attracting and retaining students from rural communities by providing various support programs.
Many students from rural regions face challenges in accessing information about college options, financial aid, and suitable classes. Marjorie Betley, the executive director of the STARS College Network, emphasizes the importance of reaching out to these students and offering them resources to navigate the college application process.
Will Gruen, a student at the University of Chicago, underscores the diversity within rural communities and the need to extend educational opportunities to all students. He believes that creating a supportive community on college campuses can help students from rural backgrounds feel more at home.
To address the challenges faced by students transitioning from rural high schools to college campuses, the STARS College Network employs recruitment efforts and peer mentor programs. Gruen and Simpson, both students at their respective universities, have benefited from initiatives that offer support and guidance to rural students.
By creating a welcoming environment and offering resources to students from rural areas, colleges and universities can help bridge the gap between different geographical regions and ensure that all students have equal access to higher education.
