Using Practice and Policy to Support Rural Students' College Access and Success

Dr. Ty C. McNamee is an Assistant Professor of Educational Policy Studies & Evaluation at the University of Kentucky. Growing up as a gay, working-class student in rural Wyoming influenced Ty's research interests. He studies higher education access, success, and equity for rural students, particularly those from poor and working-class backgrounds and those who are queer, as well as college teaching and learning and faculty development at rural postsecondary institutions. Outside research, Ty co-founded the Rural Education and Healthcare Coalition, a Teachers College, Columbia University network focused on rural education and healthcare programming and research. He also serves in the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), the American Educational Research Association (AERA), Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA), and College Student Educators International (ACPA). Ty holds his EdD in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Connecticut, and BA in English from the University of Wyoming. Schedule: 9:30-10 a.m. - Check-in 10 a.m.-noon - Introductions, Literature Review/Discussion, Review of Practice and Policy for Rural Students (offered virtually)Noon-1 p.m. - Lunch with Open Networking and Mingling1-3:30 p.m. - Workshop on Developing Practice and Policy Ideas Register to attend by September 31, 2026.