University of Arizona Joins STARS College Network to Enhance Support for Rural Students
The University of Arizona (U of A) has taken a significant step to strengthen its commitment to helping rural students access higher education. Last week, the university joined the STARS College Network, a coalition of colleges and universities dedicated to providing opportunities for students from rural areas and small towns.
Residents of rural areas in the U.S. face a substantial disadvantage when it comes to earning a bachelor’s degree, being 15% less likely to achieve this compared to their urban counterparts. This disparity is particularly noteworthy in Arizona, where students from rural areas like Pinal County and Yuma County have a significantly lower college graduation rate, at 38% and 36%, respectively, according to Education Forward Arizona.
New Opportunities and Initiatives
Kasey Urquídez, the Chief Enrollment Officer at U of A and a native of Safford, Arizona, is at the forefront of this initiative. Having personally experienced the challenges of adapting to a large university, Urquídez is now dedicated to ensuring that current students from rural areas receive the necessary support. Starting this fall, the university will engage students from small towns and rural areas with various initiatives, including active recruiting at high schools and day-long campus visits to familiarize prospective students with the university environment.
The STARS College Network was established with a million gift from Trott Family Philanthropies and brings together member institutions to share best practices and resources. U of A joins esteemed institutions like Dartmouth, Duke, and Stanford Universities in this endeavor to bridge the educational gap faced by rural students.
Achieving Greater Educational Success
Through the STARS Network, the University of Arizona aims to make the transition to college smoother and less intimidating for rural students. By sharing impactful practices and providing comprehensive support, the network hopes to help students in rural areas realize their dreams and achieve greater educational success.
Ultimately, this initiative aligns with the Achieve60AZ Action Plan, which aims to have 60% of Arizonans hold a certificate, license, or degree. By expanding its outreach to include these underserved areas, the University of Arizona looks forward to contributing to the growth of an educated population in the state of Arizona.
- Day-long campus visits to familiarize prospective students with the university environment and introduce them to faculty and current students
- Active recruiting at high schools in rural areas
- Sharing best practices and resources among STARS member institutions
