Maria Luna-Torres

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

Big Apple here we come! The RSSI team will be presenting “Rural Insights: Improving College-going & FAFSA Rates in Rural Regions” at the College Board Forum 2025 in NYC this week. We’re excited to share our rural expertise and best practices nationally!

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

As graduation season ends & summer begins, we're looking back at the RSSI East Texas College & Career Expo! 300 8th & 9th graders explored post-high school paths early — paving the way for bright futures. Check out what the students had to say! https://t.co/Pe0PO1lg0X

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

RSSI welcomed 300 students to the East TX College & Career Expo! @DrumCafeUSA kicked it off, showing us how to march to the beat of our own drum. Students connected with 40+ college & career reps, participated in team-building activities with @tamucw & learned stress management.

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

Are you ready to find the rhythm to your future? 🎶 The countdown is on for tomorrow’s East TX College & Career Expo! See you soon! #DrumForYourFuture #CollegeBound #CareerReady

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

Exposure to postsecondary opportunities is crucial for rural students! That’s why RSSI encourages college tours starting as early as 8th grade. 🎓✨ #CollegeBound #RuralEducation #RSSI

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

AgriLife Extension’s RSSI welcomes its newest school partners from west Texas – Colorado ISD and Post ISD! Looking forward to learning from them and thrilled to extend our resources to their rural communities to further expand postsecondary options for their students!

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

Managing personal finances is an essential skill for students to learn in high school. Check out our rural youth practicing this skill at RSSI's Youth Financial Literacy Workshop. Students practiced these critical life skills in a fun and safe environment! https://t.co/T7WEmqPOPk

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

🌟Summer is ending and Fall is in the air!🍂 RSSI staff have been busy onboarding new districts. Welcome Colmesneil ISD, Marfa ISD, and White Deer ISD to the RSSI project! 🎉We are excited to support these and many more new rural communities across Texas.

[NCHEMS @nchemstweets]

1/2) NCHEMS was pleased to host and learn from our Advisory Group of institutional and state leaders focused on the role that #CooperativeExtension plays in supporting #ruralcommunities. The Advisory Group and NCHEMS collaborated all day on Aug. 13 to develop a framework to...

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

Students enjoyed RSSI’s Youth Financial Literacy Event in Lufkin! Fun-filled learning experience with a motivational talk on Resilience, breakout sessions, and a real-life world simulation where students put into practice financial decision-making without real-life consequences!

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

Great dialogue with our RSSI south Texas school districts! Contextually-rich data presented by our @TXWorkforce partners led to fruitful discussions about advising and preparing students for in-demand jobs in today's labor market!

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

RSSI is grateful to Skidmore-Tynan ISD for granting us the opportunity to lead their first ever College & Career Fair. Students engaged with 40+ colleges and industry leaders, paving the way for future opportunities! Thank you to the many partners who helped support the event.

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

New year, new FAFSA! This month RSSI Specialists have been out supporting school districts with the new #BetterFAFSA process. From FAFSA Fiestas to Disco Parties, these fun-filled themed workshops are encouraging students to complete their applications by the priority deadline!

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

In collaboration with @EducateTexas & @uAspire, RSSI Team convened ISDs and partners to train on changes coming with #BetterFAFSA. Grateful to @cfabilene for allowing us to use their facilities.

"I learned a ton of information to be able to help students..." - participant

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

Greatly appreciate the invitation to share RSSI’s impact on expanding college access for rural counties with our county commissioners and judges at the south Texas Conference for County Officials!

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

More students at Roscoe CISD and Benavides ISD completed FSA IDs & college apps! While spanish-speaking parents at Bellville ISD learned how to help their students prepare for college. Many thanks to our ISD's who continue to expand outreach to serve more diverse audiences!

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

From south to north, and east to west #rural regions, RSSI #collegeaccess programming is in full swing! ISDs are working hard executing their implementation workplans. Students and parents are benefitting from college tours, FSA ID sessions, & parent info nights. More to come!

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

It is hot in south Texas but feeling refreshed about the RSSI programming plan we co-developed with Benavides ISD! Thank you Ms. Garza, Mr. Landrum & Mrs. Moncivais for a productive meeting! We are excited to see the impact this year's plan will have on parents and students!

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

Watch highlights of the recent East Texas College & Career Fair! An example of how collaboration, partnerships and a lot of hard work raised student’s motivation and brought early postsecondary awareness for students from under-resourced rural, communities https://t.co/apWspFVIlD

[Rural Student Success Initiative @AgriLife_RSSI]

Students from RSSI’s coastal bend and south region are college ready! Grateful for the collaboration and numerous hours school districts have spent with RSSI to co-design strategies that remove geographic and financial barriers that students from small, rural communities face.