Rural and Small-Town Students: Your Guide to College Planning

👉 Students: register for free, here
👉 Parents/Caring Adults: register for free, here

Are you ready to take the next step towards your college dreams? Join BigFuture and the STARS College Network for an event tailored specifically for students from rural and small-town communities. We'll cover everything you need to know about college planning, including: 

·                     How to choose the right college for you 

·                     Navigating the application process 

·                     Understanding financial aid and scholarships 

·                     Tips for thriving in a new environment 

Don't miss this opportunity to get your questions answered by reps from Yale, Caltech, and the University of Arkansas. Join us on January 29th and start planning your future today! 

About STARS 

The STARS College Network, which partners with top colleges to ensure that students from rural and small-town America have the information and support they need to enroll and graduate from the college or university of their choice, is doubling its membership to include 32 of the nation’s most prominent institutions. 

Speakers:

Radeanna Garcia
Assistant Director, University of Arkansas

Radeanna Garcia is an Assistant Director for Arkansas Recruitment for the University of Arkansas. She is the admissions counselor for the Central AR area. She has earned a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs. She has 17 years’ experience in higher education in undergraduate admissions and financial aid administration. Originally from the small town of Hope in southwest AR, she currently resides in Bryant, AR. Being from a small town and a first-generation student, she gains a great sense of accomplishment working with similar students and providing guidance for their next steps.

Samantha O’Brien
Senior Assistant Director for Partnership Programming, Yale University

Samantha O'Brien is the Senior Assistant Director for Partnership Programming at Yale Undergraduate Admissions. She specializes in fostering new and existing relationships with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and College Access Organizations (CAOs). In her role as Yale’s STARS College Network Director, Samantha is honored to support talented rural and small-town students through collaborations with 31 partner institutions across the nation.

With over a decade of experience in college access, Samantha's journey began as a public-school teacher in Hartford, CT through Teach For America. She later earned her M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University, which paved the way for programmatic roles at a CBO in Stamford, CT, where she served as the Director of High School Programs and then as the Director of College Guidance.

Melissa Rodriguez, M.A.
Undergraduate Admissions Counselor, Caltech

Melissa is an Undergraduate Admissions Counselor at Caltech. In her role, she focuses on recruitment outreach and programming, particularly related to small town and rural recruitment. She currently oversees Caltech's involvement in the STARS (Small Town and Rural Student) College Network.

Melissa was born and raised in the Greater Los Angeles area. As a first-generation graduate, she is passionate about education and mentorship, and hopes to be a useful tool for students navigating their academic journey. Melissa has previous experience working as an adjunct university professor, a higher education fellow to Congresswoman Nanette Barragan, and a consultant in the college prep and curriculum design field. She received her master's degree in education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and undergraduate degrees in philosophy and the humanities from CSU Fullerton.