Madison Reporter

UW students Jack Taylor, Avery Simpson, and McKenna Riley serve as rural peer advisers with the College for Rural Wisconsin at UW–Madison. Their experiences growing up in small towns help them guide other rural students considering higher education.

McKenna Riley realized her unique background when she shared stories about high school traditions like donkey basketball fundraisers and “Drive Your Tractor to School” day. From Rockland, a village of 750 people, she now advises rural students on college access through UW–Madison’s Division of Enrollment Management. The program is part of the Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network, aiming to increase college access for rural students statewide.

Jennifer Blazek, program director for the College for Rural Wisconsin, explains that many universities expect prospective students to visit their campuses. This can be challenging for rural students due to financial or logistical constraints. "We’ve essentially flipped the script," says Blazek. The initiative brings resources and mentoring directly to these communities.

Rural peer advisers travel to schools and communities to provide information and answer questions from students, parents, and counselors. This academic year, four advisers will come from UW–Madison, with additional advisers from UW–River Falls and Mid-State Technical College.

Avery Simpson grew up near Brooklyn, Wisconsin. Despite living just 30 minutes from Madison, city life was unfamiliar before college. Now a senior majoring in elementary education, she hopes to teach middle school in a rural district. She values the opportunity to discuss finances and the worth of college with rural students face-to-face.

Senior McKenna Riley often logs into meetings from a cornfield where she works as a student researcher. Hailing from Rockland with one stop sign and essential amenities, she aims to support families as a peer adviser by sharing her experiences attending a large university.

Junior Jack Taylor’s diverse interests help him connect with various high school students. Growing up in Princeton with only 20 classmates in his graduating class, he addresses how small schools can leave students feeling unprepared for college. Taylor emphasizes that one's background does not have to define their future opportunities.

The College for Rural Wisconsin's efforts highlight the potential within rural backgrounds while offering tailored support to help these students navigate higher education choices effectively.