The Center for Revitalizing American Institutions (RAI) hosts Student Voices: The Urban-Rural Divide and Its Impact on Democracy with Ruby Coulson, Bella Meyer, Cara Sowa, Jeanette Wang, and YuQing Jiang on November 4, 2025, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. PT
The urban-rural divide is one of the most significant fault lines in American life, shaping our culture, politics, and sense of community. How does this divide manifest within the Stanford experience? What unique insights do students from rural areas bring to campus conversations? What can all Stanford students learn about American society–and themselves–by engaging across geographic and cultural lines?
This panel features Stanford students from rural communities and students who spent their summers working in rural areas. Together, they will reflect on their experiences, the lessons they’ve learned, and the role Stanford can play in bridging the nation’s urban-rural divide.
