The Rural College Student Experience

In this episode, we travel to Northern California to hear from three incredible rural college students - Isa O’Brion, Kierra Alford, and Simran Wraich - who are blazing trails at California State University, Chico. All three are members of the North State Student Ambassadors program, a powerful peer-led initiative that connects rural high school and community college students with current Chico State students who come from similar rural communities. Isa, Kierra, and Simran share their personal journeys growing up in Siskiyou County and how their rural identities have shaped their college experiences, their leadership on campus, and their dedication to outreach and mentorship. From presentations at rural high schools to statewide conferences, these ambassadors are helping others see what’s possible—while staying grounded in their roots. We talk about what it means to belong in college when you come from a tight-knit rural town, the digital and social barriers rural students still face, and the hope that comes with giving back to your home community. You’ll hear stories about career dreams, mentorship moments, and how rural identity shows up on campus in powerful, everyday ways. Whether you’re an educator, policy leader, or student affairs professional, this episode is a reminder that rural isn’t just where you’re from, but a foundational part of learners' identities. Follow the North State Student Ambassadors on social media: NSSA.chico.state (TikTok) Chicostatestudentambassadors (Instagram)

In this episode, Dr. Matt Newlin sits down with three incredible students — Bjorn Mauritsen, Ella Bussell, and Herjok Panther Deng Agot — who share their journeys from rural communities to the University of Notre Dame, where they now serve as Rural Admissions Interns. We explore the unique challenges rural students face when navigating the college admissions process, from limited access to test preparation and guidance counseling to financial barriers and cultural differences on campus. The conversation digs deep into how growing up in rural areas shapes students’ perspectives on community, connection, and success — and why intentional, equity-focused outreach matters. Bjorn, Ella, and Panther also share their work as Rural Admissions Interns, where they’re helping Notre Dame better understand and support prospective students from rural backgrounds. Through outreach, campus programming, and sharing their lived experiences, they’re working to make the path to college clearer and more accessible for students from small towns and remote areas. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or higher ed practitioner, this episode offers insights into how rural student voices can shape more inclusive recruitment and retention strategies.

“When you grow up in a rural area, you’re taught that communication is a form of expression and a way of connection, not just to talk to people when you want something from them. People like to be talked to. People love to just be known on a very personal level.” — Josh Farris In this episode of The Rural College Student Experience, Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by Josh Farris, a first-generation college graduate of the University of Virginia. Josh's journey from a small town to UVA — and now to advocacy and research at Leadership Brainery — highlights the power of persistence, resourcefulness, and human connection. Josh opens up about navigating cultural mismatches, financial aid challenges, and the complexities of transitioning from an intimate rural community into larger, more competitive academic spaces. He also shares how rural students’ communication styles, resilience, and interconnectedness can be powerful assets on college campuses. We also dive into Josh’s current work at Leadership Brainery, where he focuses on expanding access to graduate education for underrepresented students and empowering future change-makers. Whether you’re a student, educator, or advocate, Josh’s story is a reminder of the strengths rural learners bring with them — and how institutions can better support their success.

“Shoot your shot. I applied to countless internships. I ended up in Iceland. I ended up at Princeton. Never think you're not good enough.” In this episode, Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by Laken Chapin, a first-generation graduate from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Accounting. Laken grew up in rural Bad Axe, Michigan, where she learned the values of hard work, community, and perseverance—lessons that carried her through college and beyond. Laken shares her inspiring journey from a small-town high school class of 52 students to a large university with more than 20,000 peers. She talks about the culture shock of navigating campus life, the hidden curriculum of college expectations, and the very real gaps rural students face when it comes to public transportation, digital literacy, and access to resources. Laken also opens up about her study abroad experience in Iceland, being selected for a public policy fellowship at Princeton University, and how she’s now applying all she’s learned in her current role as a Community Economic Development Fellow in Cass City, Michigan. From helping write grants to deciding which Main Street trees to remove, Laken is doing work that directly impacts her hometown and the people in it. This episode is a powerful look at rural resilience, advocacy, and the importance of believing in your worth—even when the world hasn’t shown you what’s possible yet. If you work in higher ed or care about student success, Laken’s story is one you need to hear.

"I’m a middle-aged mom, and here I was back in college. But I would tell anyone—if you’ve got a goal, go for it. Don’t let the barriers of being a rural student stop you. Where there’s a will, there’s a way." On this episode, Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by Gina Sheurman, a first-generation college graduate and rural advocate from West-Central Illinois. Gina recently earned her MBA from the University of Illinois–Springfield—more than 20 years after completing her undergraduate degree—and graduated on the same day as her son. Gina shares her incredible journey through higher education as a non-traditional student, working professional, and parent. From switching majors and returning home to help her family’s business, to balancing work, school, and family responsibilities, Gina offers an honest and inspiring look at what it means to pursue education later in life. She also kept a blog about her experiences in graduate school: "Surviving and Thriving - A Journey of Change." I highly encourage you to check it out. Finally, Gina talks about the systemic barriers that rural students face—including limited access to advanced high school courses, transfer student financial aid gaps, and unreliable internet—and calls on institutions to rethink how they support adult learners. This is a great episode with a lot of practical, real-world advice for current and future rural students. Enjoy!

"I didn’t have the same number of hours in the day as my peers. I was commuting, working, trying to figure out public transportation for the first time. And I was still expected to compete on the same level. We don’t lack drive or talent — we just don’t have the same time." That quote comes from Rin Baker, a rural student from upstate New York who joins Dr. Matt Newlin for the latest episode of the Rural College Student Experience. Rin is a first-generation student from Hartford, New York, a small rural town nestled in farmland. Rin is currently completing her M.A. in English at Georgetown University, where her thesis explores working-class autoethnography — a powerful form of memoir that captures the lived realities of working-class individuals in academic spaces. Rin shares her incredible journey through the SUNY system, navigating community college, multiple transfers, and the unique challenges of transitioning from rural life to a major city. She opens up about the institutional barriers she faced — from inaccessible public transportation to unfamiliar campus systems — and the resilience it took to succeed in elite academic environments. This episode touches on: Whether you're a rural student, a first-gen scholar, or someone committed to educational equity, this episode will leave you inspired and informed. Rin’s story is one of grit, brilliance, and the quiet power of showing up — even when the odds are long.

“I have a Walmart Index of Rurality. One Walmart? You’re a decent-sized town. More than one? Okay, you’re big.” In this episode, Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by Stephanie Zackery, a third-year, award-winning Counseling Psychology PhD student at New Mexico State University. Stephanie grew up in a no-stoplight town in rural Oklahoma and is now researching how mentorship shapes the college experience, especially for Black and Native American students from rural communities. Stephanie shares her journey from a high school class of 24 to pursuing her doctorate, and how early leadership roles in 4-H and public speaking helped her build the confidence and skills to thrive. She opens up about the importance of natural mentors, the unique barriers rural students face, and the need for institutions to stop overlooking rural backgrounds on college applications. Whether she’s talking about her “Walmart Index of Rurality” or patching up jeans with her grandmother, Stephanie brings humor, honesty, and deep insight to this conversation. Stephanie is currently recruiting participants for her current research study on Black rural college students. Be sure to check out her work on LinkedIn and her website.

We’re back! Season 3 of The Rural College Student Experience is here and it's our most powerful season yet. Join host Dr. Matt Newlin as we continue to center the voices of rural college students—sharing their stories, their challenges, and the incredible strengths they bring to higher education. This season, we’re bringing you: graduate studentsmini-series with the North State Student Ambassadorspanel of Rural Admissions Interns from Notre DameWhether you're tuning in from a dorm, your commute, or your hometown, Season 3 has something for you. If you're passionate about educational equity, rural student success, or just love honest, student-centered conversations—this is your show. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

In this episode, Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by Avery Bass, a first-year student at North Carolina State University majoring in Genetics, with minors in Biotechnology and Microbiology. Avery is originally from Pikeville, North Carolina, a small rural town in the eastern part of the state, and graduated from Charles B. Aycock High School. Avery shares what it was like growing up in a tight-knit rural community and how her early exposure to science camps—and the support of her family—helped her discover a passion for genetics. She talks about the academic and institutional barriers rural students still face, including lack of access to opportunities, college prep resources, and information about scholarships. Avery also reflects on the critical role of mentorship and representation in her journey toward a career in biotechnology, where she hopes to research new treatment approaches for rare genetic diseases. We also discuss the importance of belonging on large college campuses and how programs like NC State’s Life Sciences First Year Program can help rural students transition and thrive. Connect with Avery and follow her journey: Avery E. Bass on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Rural College Student Experience and don’t forget to rate and share to elevate more rural student voices. Know a rural student who would make a great guest? Apply at bit.ly/4jNqmS5.

On this episode, Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by co-host Mallorie Goodwin to discuss the Heartland Initiative at Washington University in St. Louis. Mallorie is a sophomore at Wash U and grew up in Waynesville, Missouri, about two hours west of St. Louis. She is also a Rural Peer Ambassador working to increase enrollment and belonging for other rural students. Joining Matt and Mallorie is Dacoda Scarlett, Associate Director for Rural Recruitment, Undergraduate Admissions at Washington University in St. Louis. Dacoda shares how WashU is trying to attract and retain more rural students. He also talks about the university's participation in the larger STARS College Network. Be sure to follow us on X (@rcsepod) and subscribe wherever you get your podcast so you will be notified when a new episode is available.

On this episode, Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by Andrew Wichert to discuss mental health in rural spaces. Andrew comes from Northeastern Ohio and is attending Kent State University. He is currently working on his Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Business in Information Technology. After completing his degrees, Andrew plans on continuing with his Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies with a concentration in Nonprofit Studies. He has had various types of jobs including managing amusement parks, working in the construction industry, and being a student employee at Kent State. He plans to continue his career in higher education upon the competition of his Bachelor’s degree. Joining Andrew and Matt is Dr. Loni Crumb, an Assistant Professor in the Counselor Education Program in the Department of Interdisciplinary Professions at East Carolina University and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Dr. Crumb has authored over 80 scholarly publications and professional presentations related to student affairs in higher education, counseling and wellness, and holistic college student development. Her research interests include counseling in rural areas, rural education, promoting retention and persistence of underserved students in higher education, college student mental health, and social justice and multicultural training.

On this episode, creator/host Dr. Matt Newlin discusses the rural working-class identity with co-host Samuel Locklear. Samuel was born and raised in Pembroke, North Carolina and is a first-generation working-class college student. He is currently attending the University of North Carolina at Pembroke pursuing a degree in Nursing. Joining Samuel and Matt in this discussion is Dr. Michele Fazio. Dr. Fazio is Professor of English, director of the Pembroke Mellon REACH Program, and co-coordinator of the Gender Studies Minor at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke where she teaches courses on 20th century American literature, contemporary U.S. ethnic literature, and working-class studies. She has served as president of the Working-Class Studies Association and co-edited the Routledge International Handbook of Working-Class Studies (2021).

Thank you for listening to this special SPOTLIGHT episode of the Rural College Student Experience. On today’s episode, we have a very special guest, Madison Mellinger. Madison is a senior at Princeton University and is from Chambersburg, PA. She is studying in the School of Public and International Affairs with a focus on education and environmental policy, particularly as such policy relates to rural communities. In 2021, she founded Princeton's first rural student affinity group. In this episode, we’re focusing on Small Town to Campus, a student-led conference for rural students which Madison spearheaded. The conference took place virtually in February 2023. I spoke with Madison soon after the conference about how the event became a reality and her future plans. As always, please be sure to subscribe to the podcast and follow us on Twitter at @rcsepod. Thank you and enjoy this special SPOTLIGHT episode.

Welcome to Episode 14 of the Rural College Student Experience. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you'll know when a new episode is available. Also, please follow us on Twitter (@rcsepod) and share ideas for future episodes. This episode we’re talking about admissions applications and essays for rural students. Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by co-host is Jay Kauffin. Jay attended McMinn County High School in Athens, Tennessee and is now a junior at Yale University studying Political and Computer Science. We talk about his transition to college and how the application process can be improved for rural students. Our guest is Corinne Smith. Corrine is an undergraduate admissions officer at Yale University where she oversees all rural outreach and recruitment. She also grew up in a small town an hour outside of Chicago. In April 2022, Corinne Smith and Ann Merrell published the College Essay Journal: A Mindful Manual for College Applications. We discuss the book in-depth during our conversation. Corinne is currently pursuing her doctorate in Diversity and Equity in Education through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on the intersectional identities of rural students and the college access barriers they face.

We're back with a new, exciting episode talking about a critical topic in rural education: college access and retention. The intention of this podcast is elevating and amplifying rural student voices in conversations about higher education. Students from rural high schools are significantly less likely to enroll in postsecondary education compared to their non-rural peers. Roughly 30 percent of students enrolled in college come from rural or small town communities, and yet their needs are rarely taken into consideration in decision- and policy-making discussions. In this episode, host Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by co-host Giulia Episcopo, a sophomore at Purdue University who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. After college, Giulia is interested in using chemical engineering concepts to leave a positive, lasting impact on the lives of those in local and global communities. Our guest is Dr. Lori Pence, the Associate Director of Student Success at Purdue University’s College of Engineering. Dr. Pence was raised in a small rural community in Northwest Indiana and is, first and foremost, a champion for rural and first-generation students. She completed both her master’s and PhD at Purdue University. Her doctoral research focused on rural student success, which we discuss during this episode. Dr. Pence is an advocate of college access and success because postsecondary education is a formidable lever in allowing students the ability to overcome their circumstances and achieve their dreams. Please be sure to follow us on Twitter (@rcsepod). You can also follow Dr. Newlin at @DrMattNewlin. Thank you for listening and be sure to subscribe to the Rural College Student Experience wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to Episode 12 of the Rural College Student Experience. Today, co-host Sara Wiggington joins host Dr. Matt Newlin to talk about the rural identity in K-12 spaces and how that can impact rural students' postsecondary experiences. Sara is a Master’s degree student at Purdue University who also teaches 4th grade at Green Meadows Intermediate in Frankfort, Indiana. Sara attended Ball State University as an undergraduate and just completed her 21st year of teaching in both rural and urban districts. During our conversation she shares wonderful insight and knowledge about the rural identity in K-12 spaces and the transition to college for rural learners. Sara and Matt are joined by guest Dr. Chea Parton, a farm girl and a former rural student and English teacher. She is currently a visiting assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at Purdue University where she advocates for rural representation in her teacher education classes. Dr. Parton created her website, Literacy In Place, and her YouTube series/podcast Reading Rural YAL to help disrupt stereotypical notions of rurality and to help rural teachers get rural books in the hands of rural readers. You can follow Dr. Parton on Twitter (@readingrural) and Instagram (@dr_chea_parton). Please be sure to subscribe to the Rural College Student Experience wherever you download your podcasts so you’ll be notified when a new episode is available. Also, follow us on Twitter (@rcsepod) and our partners Believe in Students (@believestudents).

The Rural College Student Experience is back with another special episode. In Episode 11, host Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by an incredible panel of Lead for America fellows who are serving in rural Kentucky and Appalachia. Lead for America fellows are dedicated to tackling the critical challenges facing the places they call home. All three of our panelists are doing wonderful things to increase postsecondary and economic success for students in communities that have, historically, not received the support or attention they need and deserve. In this episode, we specifically address the broadband internet gap that exists in many rural communities and how this negatively affects students’ postsecondary choices or opportunities. These three fellows are amazing individuals who are clearly passionate about serving in rural spaces. Conner Thomas grew up in Morehead, Kentucky and attended the University of Kentucky where he double majored in Finance and Economics, graduating Magna cum Laude in 2021. Sierra Marling grew up in Clay, West Virginia. She attended Berea College and studied Communication as a first generation student and a single mom, then took it a step further and received her Master’s degree from Syracuse University in 2018. Rhea Carter is from Knox County, Kentucky and is a first-generation graduate of Berea College. She majored in Communication with a double minor in Appalachian Studies and Peace and Social Justice Studies. Please be sure to subscribe to the Rural College Student Experience wherever you download your podcasts so you’ll be notified when a new episode is available. Also, follow us on Twitter (@rcsepod) and our partners Believe in Students (@believestudents).

We’re back after a brief hiatus with a brand new episode! In the latest episode, we discuss college access programs serving rural and small town communities. College access organizations are integral to increasing postsecondary enrollment for historically underrepresented students, including low-income, first-generation, and students of color. Unfortunately, there are few college access programs operating in rural spaces due to geographic barriers and lack of funding for the organizations that are doing everything they can to reach these underserved populations. One organization that has been effectively serving rural populations for the last couple of decades is CFES Brilliant Pathways. In this episode, host Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by co-host Drew Malone, a former rural student who participated in Brilliant Pathways programs while in high school in Crown Point, New York. Drew, who was very involved in music, theater, and film while in high school, graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2016 and now works at a museum not far from his hometown dedicated to the original Star Trek series TV series. Drew discusses his path to college, how Brilliant Pathways improved his postsecondary planning, and how rural students can explore non-traditional careers while living in rural places. Drew and Matt are joined by guest Rick Dalton, CEO of CFES Brilliant Pathways and a passionate supporter of postsecondary success for rural students. He is also the author of the book, Rural America's Pathways to College and Career. Rick discusses Brilliant Pathway’s beginnings, the ways they continue to serve rural students, and what colleges need to know about their rural populations. You can learn more about Brilliant Pathways on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Please be sure to subscribe to the Rural College Student Experience wherever you download your podcasts so you’ll be notified when a new episode is available. Also, follow us on Twitter (@rcsepod) and our partners Believe in Students (@believestudents).

Welcome to Episode 9 of the Rural College Student Experience. In this episode, host Dr. Matt Newlin and his guests talk about how to create and foster change at rural serving institutions. In our culture, rural communities are often seen as being “backward,” “conservative,” and “slow to change,” but those myths – along with the idea that all rural communities are the same – couldn’t be further from the truth. As we saw during COVID, rural communities – and rural schools in particular – pivoted immediately to virtual learning and came up with all sorts of innovative and unique ways to continue serving and supporting their students. In this episode, we’re going to talk about how institutions serving rural students are working to drive change to create more equitable pathways for students. However, as we’ll hear, there is a long way to go to ensure rural students are able to have the same college experience as non-rural students. My co-host on this episode is Liz Soellner. Liz is a rising junior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Sociology. She’s from Chester, Illinois, a small town in Southern Illinois situated on the Mississippi River. Additionally, she is also the president and co-founder of the Rural Area Student Initiative, or RASI, which is a student organization focused on making higher education more accessible for all kinds of rural students. You can follow and learn more about RASI on Twitter and Instagram. Liz and I are joined by our guest Dr. Leslie Daughtry, a senior education designer at Education Design Lab. Leslie is currently leading the Lab's BRIDGES Rural Design challenge. Throughout this multi-year initiative, the Lab will lead a cohort of rural community colleges in designing, testing, and scaling postsecondary approaches that support the economic agility of rural learners. Please be sure to subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen so you can be notified when new episodes are available. Please connect with us on Twitter and feel free to contact us at rcsepod@gmail.com.

Welcome to the first episode of Season 2 of the Rural College Student Experience podcast. After a successful first season, we are thrilled to continue featuring conversations with and about rural students in college. On this episode, creator/host Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by co-host Chase Carson and guest Dreama Gentry from Partners for Rural Impact (PRI). In this roundtable-style conversation we discuss each of our experiences at The Rural Summit which was co-presented by PRI and Education Forward Arizona in Flagstaff, Arizona in April 2022. Chase shares his perspective as a rural student attending the conference, as well as his thoughts on the work being done by institutions and organizations around the country. Dreama shares some background on PRI, their future goals, and the major needs of rural students. Chase Carson graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in May 2022 with a bachelor’s of business administration in Accounting. Chase was born and raised in Laurel County, Kentucky and graduated from South Laurel High School. In addition to being a recent graduate, Chase is also the founder and CEO of Unity Allies. His goal is to educate and lead his community forward in welcoming all groups of diversity to areas across the nation. Please follow Chase and Unity Allies on Instagram (@kingcarsonn, @unity_allies) or visit the Unity Allies Facebook page. In the second half of the episode, Chase and Matt are joined by Dreama Gentry, president and CEO of Partners for Rural Impact. Dreama founded the organization to ensure rural students have the opportunity to fulfill their educational aspirations, and the national dialogue around educational success includes rural voices. A first-generation college graduate from Appalachia, Gentry is an Annie E. Casey Children and Family Fellow and a Prichard Committee Equity Coalition member, among other honors. To learn more about PRI’s work, follow Dreama on Twitter (@dreaminky). Please be sure to subscribe to the Rural College Student Experience wherever you download your podcasts so you’ll be notified when a new episode is available. Also, follow us on Twitter (@rcsepod) and our partners Believe in Students (@believestudents).