The Rural College Student Experience

This episode of The Rural College Student Experience is the second conversation in a special two-part series in partnership with the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.

In this episode, Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by two students - Amber and Abigail - who share their journeys from different rural communities in Missouri to college. Their stories highlight the many paths rural students take to higher education and the resilience it often requires to get there.

• Amber, who moved frequently growing up but most recently called Holcomb, Missouri home, is now a junior studying Interior Design at Southeast Missouri State University. 
• Abigail (Abi), from Warrensburg, Missouri, is pursuing a degree in Social Work at Evangel University, with plans to continue on to earn her Master of Social Work.

Throughout the conversation, Amber and Abi talk about growing up in small towns, navigating college as first-generation and non-traditional students, and adjusting to life in larger communities while pursuing their academic goals. They also discuss the financial realities of college, the importance of finding the right institutional fit, and the unique challenges rural students can face: from transportation barriers and financial pressures to feeling like they don’t always belong in academic spaces.

The episode also highlights the critical role that scholarships, advising, and student support programs can play in helping rural students succeed. Both students share how the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, including programs like the Ava Grace Scholarship and the Flourish mental health program, has supported them not only financially but personally throughout their college journeys.

Founded in 1920, the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis is based on the conviction that an educated society is essential to a democracy. The Foundation provides access to postsecondary education to members of our community who otherwise would not have the financial means to fulfill their educational goals. In 2025, more than 540 students were awarded over $6 million in direct financial support in the form of grants and interest-free loans. Learn more at www.sfstl.org.

This episode offers an honest look at the realities rural students face—and the impact that the right support systems can have in helping them persist, succeed, and build the futures they envision.

This episode of The Rural College Student Experience is part one of a special two-part series in partnership with the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.

In this conversation, Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by three current college students from rural Missouri communities - Jillian Rogers, Xavier Mason, and Sophie Davis - to talk about what it means to navigate higher education while coming from places that are often overlooked in larger conversations about college access and student success.

• Jillian Rogers, from Lone Jack, Missouri just outside Kansas City, is now a first-year law student at the University of Missouri–Kansas City.
• Xavier Mason, from Clinton, Missouri, is a first-year fashion design and marketing major at Washington University in St. Louis.
• Sophie Davis, who grew up in Steelville, Missouri, is a senior nursing major at Truman State University.

Together, they reflect on the strengths rural students bring with them, the barriers they often face on the way to and through college, and the importance of finding the right institutional fit, supportive people, and resources that make persistence possible.

The episode also highlights the role of scholarships, advising, and wraparound support in helping students not only enroll in college, but succeed once they get there. Throughout the conversation, the students speak candidly about the challenges of access, the complexities of applying to college and graduate school, and the ways that financial support and mentorship can change a student’s trajectory.

Founded in 1920, the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis is based on the conviction that an educated society is essential to a democracy. The Foundation provides access to postsecondary education to members of our community who otherwise would not have the financial means to fulfill their educational goals. In 2025, over 540 students were awarded more than $6 million in direct financial support in the form of grants and interest-free loans from The Scholarship Foundation. For more information, visit www.sfstl.org.

This episode is a powerful reminder that when rural students are supported with the right combination of financial resources, personal encouragement, and institutional care, they are more than capable of thriving.

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: 

• What it means to grow up with limited access but unlimited creativity
• How SUNY’s transfer system supported her educational path
• The loss and reclamation of her small-town accent
• The invisible costs of higher education for rural and working-class students
• Why rural students are some of the most resourceful, determined learners in the country

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.

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

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