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Byron Trott, a billionaire investment banker from rural Union, Missouri, is directing $150 million to assist students from rural areas in accessing higher education opportunities. Trott, who worked his way through college by mowing lawns and selling jeans, aims to increase the admission rates of rural students into top universities through this donation. This new fund will enhance the efforts of the Small Town and Rural Students College Network (Stars), a coalition of universities initiated by Trott and his wife, Tina, last year.
In 2018, awareness about the underrepresentation of rural students in selective universities began to rise, with institutions like the University of Chicago realizing gaps in their demographic data. Since then, various initiatives have emerged to address these disparities. Past efforts have shown incremental progress in the enrollment and retention of rural students, but the need for more substantial support remains evident. This new commitment from Trott is a significant escalation in these efforts, aiming to substantially bridge the educational gap between urban and rural students.
Expansion of Stars Network
Stars, initially formed with 16 universities, will expand to include an additional 16 institutions, such as Stanford and the University of California—Berkeley. Trott stated,
“Stars and its affiliated programs are opening doors in higher education for high-achieving rural students they might not have found otherwise, and the students, campuses and our economy will all be the better for it.”
Over the past year, the network recorded a 20 percent rise in applications from rural students and a 13 percent increase in admissions.
Struggles of Rural Students
Students from rural regions often face unique challenges, including limited access to admissions counselors and fewer informational resources compared to their metropolitan counterparts. As a result, rural students are only half as likely to graduate from a selective university. Stars’ initiatives, such as providing free campus trips and virtual panels with admission staff, aim to mitigate these barriers. The coalition’s efforts are expected to distribute $7.4 billion in financial aid over the next decade.
Trott’s additional $150 million donation underscores the coalition’s mission. These funds will support ongoing programs and partnerships, including collaborations with organizations like RootEd Alliance, which places advisors in rural schools. The network has already made a tangible impact, with the University of Chicago projecting that rural and small-town students will constitute 10 percent of its incoming freshman class this year.
Trott’s initiative is part of a broader trend where affluent individuals are giving back to their rural roots. Other billionaires, including Glen Taylor and Lee Joong-keun, have also contributed significantly to their hometowns. These collective efforts highlight a growing recognition of the importance of supporting rural communities through educational and economic investments.
Trott’s continued involvement and substantial financial commitment emphasize the importance of addressing educational inequalities. By increasing access to higher education for rural students, the Stars network aims to create a more inclusive academic environment. The initiative’s success thus far indicates the potential for long-lasting change, offering a blueprint for similar efforts nationwide.
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