2021 Rural Scholars

The Rural Scholars program is designed to positively impact rural communities and Oklahoma State University undergraduate and graduate students. The Rural Scholars program will mobilize students at OSU to conduct research on leading issues and grand challenges impacting rural communities in Oklahoma and beyond.

Ten students served rural Oklahoma communities in the summer of 2021. Learn more about them and their work below.

Austin Jackson

Graduate student in Agricultural Leadership, studying youth development in Harmon and Tillman counties

Lauren Bussey

Senior in Structural Engineering, studying infrastructure revitalization

Stephanie Gripp

Junior in Animal Science, studying political capital in Harmon and Tillman counties

Pat Kane

Junior in Agribusiness, studying the impacts of agricultural technology in rural communities in Harmon and Tillman counties

Kynadi Shelby

Graduate student at OSU Center for Health Sciences, studying the impacts of hospital closures and implementation of telemedicine in Harmon and Tillman counties

Traber Smithson

Junior in Agribusiness studying the impacts of hospital closures and implementation of telemedicine in Harmon and Tillman counties

Gabby Barber

Junior in Plant and Soil Sciences, studying the impacts of agricultural technology in rural communities in Harmon and Tillman counties

Savy Weston

Junior in Graphic Design, studying youth development in Harmon and Tillman counties

Hoyt Nebgen

Junior in Agricultural Leadership, studying youth development in Harmon and Tillman counties

Carolina Quijada

Graduate student at OSU Center for Health Sciences, studying political capital in Harmon and Tillman counties

2021 Rural Scholars Projects

Gauging Aggregate Thought of Current Broadband Businesses in Tipton, Oklahoma

Building Resilience in Rural Communities: Public Health

The Impact of TeleEMS Post-Hospital Closure in Tillman County, Oklahoma

Rural Healthcare and Perspectives on Telemedicine

An Evaluation of Perceptions of the "Big Topics" Program

Investigating Rural Housing

Using Soil Moisture Sensors to Improve Agricultural Water Management in Southwestern Oklahoma

Political Capital in Rural Communities

The Impact of the Arts in Rural Youth Development

Developing Rural Entrepreneurs and Leaders for a Changing World