Maurryce “Mo” Starks grew up in a family that believed deeply in the power of education. When he was born, neither of his parents had a high school diploma. His mother would later earn her high school diploma and go on to become a nurse. Though from an early age both of his parents echoed one message: “You are going to college.” While the expectation was never in question; navigating the path to college was.
Navigating the Path to College
While attending Euclid High School, Mo thrived both academically and socially. He took honors classes, played in the band, wrestled and built strong friendships. Yet when it was time to go off to college, that all changed overnight.
Proximity to Knowledge
Mo lacked what he describes as “proximity” to knowledge, to people who had done it before, and to the cultural information that makes something feel possible. While Mo’s village knew higher education mattered, they did not know the unwritten rules that helped students successfully attend and graduate college.
As Mo prepared to graduate from high school in 2014, a counselor who knew his story and believed in him encouraged him to work with a College Now advisor for help applying to scholarships. Mo ultimately received a scholarship from College Now to attend The College of Wooster, which he notes allowed him to afford college.
How Did College Now Help?
Through College Now, Mo was also paired with mentor Russ Miller. Russ offered something Mo’s family simply could not: firsthand experience. Over conversations at baseball games and meetings throughout the school year, Russ shared the unwritten rules of college life, from managing academics to finding balance and building relationships. He gave Mo access to the kind of knowledge that often goes unnoticed until someone in proximity hands it to you. It planted the idea in Mo that success was not just reserved for other people.
Transforming What Felt Impossible into Something Tangible
After graduating from The College of Wooster in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in cognitive behavioral neuroscience, Mo began working in a neuroscience lab at The Ohio State University. Working in a neuroscience lab gave Mo valuable research experience, introduced him to the realities of graduate school, and showed him that he belonged in spaces he had once assumed were not meant for people like him. It transformed what felt impossible into something tangible.
Making Knowledge a Gateway
Today, Mo is preparing to defend his dissertation in neuroscience and psychology at the University of North Carolina, leading to a doctorate degree. He is passionate about making science accessible. The soon-to-be Dr. Starks expresses that “knowledge should not be a gatekeeper; it should be a gateway,” and the impact of that philosophy extends well beyond his own career. His sister returned to school to earn a credential in dental hygiene. Younger cousins now see college as normal, and his nieces are growing up knowing that someone in their family is a neuroscientist and that pursuing ambitious goals are attainable.
The Investment Continues to Ripple Outward
It has been nearly a decade since Mo received his last College Now scholarship payment during his undergraduate years, but the investment continues to ripple outward. In every student he mentors, every scientific concept he makes more accessible, and every family member who sees new possibilities because of his example, the impact lives on.
Mo’s story is a testament that sometimes the difference between “impossible” and “I’m on my way” is support and proximity.
What Can Students Learn From Mo’s Story?
Mo’s story demonstrates how mentorship, access to information and financial support can help students achieve goals that once seemed out of reach.
His journey also highlights the lasting impact of educational investment. The support he received continues to influence others, from the students he mentors to the family members who now see college and professional careers as attainable possibilities.
For Mo, success has never been just about earning a degree. It has been about creating opportunities for the people who come after him.
Ready to Start Your Own Journey?
Whether you’re exploring colleges, applying for scholarships or preparing for life after high school, College Now can help you navigate the process with confidence.
From college and career advising, financial aid support, scholarships and coaching, College Now provides personalized guidance to help students reach their educational and career goals.
Looking for support on your educational journey? Whether you’re a high school student – or a parent of one – or an adult seeking education, College Now can meet you wherever you are in the higher education process. Explore your options, build your plan and find the path that’s right for you.