Reaching for the STARS* by David duKor-Jackson

Today, (April 4, 2023), marks the public launch of the STARS (Small Town and Rural Students) College Network, a collaborative effort of a select group of 16 colleges and universities, including MIT, dedicated to the collegiate success of students from small towns and rural communities.  While the initiative is new, the concern for these students is not.  The partnership, initiated with significant philanthropic support, is intended to build upon good work already being done to promote greater access to post-secondary educational opportunities.

At MIT Admissions, our commitment to the public interest has long defined and inspired our work.  Our foundational belief is that educational opportunities should be accessible to great students regardless of their geographic or financial circumstances, and we have worked diligently to identify and engage talented students interested in an education centered in science and technology from across the country and around the world.

Now, as a founding member institution of the newly established STARS College Network, we plan to extend our engagement to raise awareness about and facilitate opportunities for discovery of a broader range of possibilities for post-secondary education for students who might not otherwise consider or pursue them.

This initiative, specifically targeting students from small towns and rural settings, reiterates our steadfast commitment to continue to enroll the most outstanding and dynamic group of students and scholars possible, regardless of their circumstances.  After all, a vibrant academic community, composed of individuals representing an expansive cross-section of backgrounds and experiences, is essential to challenge and inspire one another to solve society’s greatest challenges.