As a member of the STARS College Network, the University of Southern California works to bridge the gap in access to higher education that exists for rural and small-town students. USC’s mission is “to create informed and prepared citizens of the world, to advance knowledge, and to serve the public good.” To that end, all students should have access to higher education, regardless of their backgrounds or economic status. We believe making a USC education available to more rural and small-town students will not only expand opportunities for those students and serve the public good, but will also enrich the diversity of voices and perspectives present on our campus. We are committed to increasing the exposure that rural and small-town students have to post-secondary options like USC, and introducing them to the world of possibilities that higher education can create.