The University of Tennessee Martin is tucked in the buckle of the Bible Belt, in a little nowhere city of 10,543—about one third the population of Natick, Massachusetts. On Main Street, freight trains clatter and screech. Bound for someplace else, they cut through the economically weak city, which was once much stronger as a maker of things.

Despite appearances, students, administrators, and local leaders here in the heart of Trump country are finding salvation in higher education—and technology. Full-time freshman enrollment at UT Martin is up—nearly 25 percent—over the past three years.

As a senior at Mission High School in San Francisco, Geovanna Veloz has always wanted to be a nurse. What she didn’t know was how to get there.

Her parents couldn’t help much. They speak limited English, work long hours, and don’t have much experience with education. 

Veloz was in luck. San Francisco Unified is among dozens of districts across California that has invested in counseling in recent years, hiring more staff to guide students through the college and career process. For many districts, the investment has paid off with higher graduation and college-going rates.