Episode #1: Understanding the Experiences of Rural Students in College

In our first episode of the Rural College Student Experience, host Dr. Matt Newlin is joined by co-host Karolin Miranda, a junior at the University of South Carolina Upstate who is on the pre-med track. Karolin grew up in a rural community in Greenville, South Carolina and is the first person in her family to attend college (a "first-generation college student"). Karolin discusses her experiences as a rural student, overcoming her natural timidness, and how financial issues have affected her college journey.

Later in the episode, Karolin and Matt are joined by guest Dr. Andrew Koricich, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges (ARRC) and an associate professor in the higher education program at Appalachian State University. Dr. Koricich's work is based, in part, on his experiences growing up in a rural Pennsylvania town. We discuss his research interests which focuses on postsecondary education issues facing rural communities. We also discuss the work of ARRC and how regional colleges, which serve large populations of rural students, are often perceived as less prestigious despite providing excellent education and support to students. 

The Rural College Student Experience is presented in partnership with Believe in Students, the nation’s only non-profit organization focused exclusively on helping college students to meet their basic needs.  Believe in Students engages individuals in telling their stories and advocating for change, so that higher education can better serve today’s real college students. We are extremely grateful for their partnership and support for this podcast.