2023 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.

Eleven students are serving rural Oklahoma communities in the summer of 2023. Learn more about them and their work below.

Rose Njoroge

Graduate student in Public Health, studying how to build sustainable rural healthcare services in Harmon and Tillman County

Thomas Lako

Graduate student in Political Science, studying adverse childhood experiences in Harmon County

Laney Reasner

Senior in Agricultural Communications, studying the digital needs of rural small business owners

Karen Kotey

Graduate student in Political Science, studying the rural narrative of underrepresented populations in Harmon County

Carol Quijada

Graduate student at OSU Center for Health Sciences, studying adverse childhood experiences in Harmon County

Tony Caruso

Graduate student in Agricultural Economics, studying the needs of producers participating in agritoursim

Hoyt Nebgen

Graduate Student in Agricultural Leadership, studying drought impacts on Oklahoma’s rural communities and implications for water management

John Clemmons

Junior in Environmental Science and Wildlife Ecology and Management, studying drough impacts on Oklahoma’s rural communities and implications for water management

Ethan Parsons

Senior in Construction Engineering, studying trades and entrepreneurship in Jackson County

Rob Dusenbery

Graduate student in Fire and Emergency Management, studying the interrelationship between Harmon, Tillman, Greer, Jackson County communities and assessing how to distribute resources in public safety and career technical education

Laura Ruiz

Graduate student in Agriucltural Leadership, studying underrepresented populations in rural Oklahoma

Check out the 2023 Rural Scholar research project posters!