STARS College Network and the Future of Rural Talent

Some students grow up surrounded by opportunity so constantly that college feels like the next obvious step. For many small-town and rural students, though, the challenge is not a lack of talent, but the quieter difficulty of seeing ambitious futures clearly enough to believe they are truly within reach.Corey Alderdice, a national voice on talent and transformation, explores the work of the STARS College Network and why helping rural students aspire matters so much. This episode examines the idea of aspiration gaps, the powerful message students receive when institutions make clear they are wanted and valued, and the many strengths rural students already bring with them. Corey also reflects on why this work is about more than college access alone. It is about belonging, visibility, and making sure geography does not quietly determine the size of a young person’s future.For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.