112 | The Hidden Cost of College for Rural Youth with Dr. Mara Tieken

Episode Summary:
In this powerful episode, returning guest Dr. Mara Tieken joins Dr. Melissa Sadorf to discuss her latest book, Educated Out: How Rural Students Navigate Elite Colleges and What It Costs Them. Dr. Tieken unpacks the layered experiences of nine rural first-generation college students who attended an elite liberal arts institution pseudonymously named Hilltop. Their journeys challenge dominant narratives around college access, success, and belonging—and highlight how geography and rural identity shape and sometimes hinder a student’s path to and through higher education.
From emotional costs and identity struggles to economic barriers and social mobility, this episode provides deep insights for educators, policymakers, and anyone who cares about the future of rural youth.
Highlights & Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to The Rural Scoop
01:12 Guest Introduction: Dr. Mara Tecan
02:26 Dr. Tecan's Personal Journey
05:52 Defining Rural and First Generation
10:05 Challenges of Rural Students in Elite Colleges
12:54 National Interest in Rural College Access
17:52 Barriers to College Participation
24:52 Sense of Belonging and Overcoming Challenges
27:42 High Expectations and Emotional Support from Family
28:56 Rural Environment as a Sanctuary
29:12 Grit and Determination of Rural Students
30:22 The Painful Choice: College or Community
32:37 Caught Between Two Worlds
35:58 The Role of Rural Parents in College Aspirations
41:03 Political and Cultural Isolation on Campus
47:35 College as an Act of Resistance
49:43 Impact and Future Directions for Rural Education
54:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Closing Summary
Dr. Mara Tieken’s research highlights the incredible resilience of rural first-gen students—but also the tremendous cost they bear when navigating elite institutions that often don’t recognize or value their rural identity. Educated Out asks us to rethink what true access and equity mean and calls for systems that allow rural students not just to leave, but to return, contribute, and thrive.
If this episode inspired you, be sure to:
- Read Educated Out
- Share this episode with a colleague or student
- Leave a review and tell us your rural advantage