rootEd Alliance

Exciting news -- rootEd is launching in Alaska! ? The Alaska Career Guide initiative is a collaboration between rootEd and Alaska’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Department of Education and Early Development. Other partners include the Bristol Bay Regional Career and Technical Education (BBRCTE) Consortium and Sealaska Heritage Institute to ensure the Career Guide program. ? Working with the state and local rural-serving organizations ensures that the initiative’s programming and supports are deeply rooted in Alaska's unique cultural and regional needs. ? "Career guidance has the power to transform lives by helping students discover pathways that align with their personal goals and the economic opportunities in their communities," said DEED Commissioner Deena M. Bishop. "Through this initiative, we're equipping students with the tools and knowledge they need to pursue meaningful careers and contribute to Alaska's future prosperity." ? This terrific partnership will support students and communities across Alaska in building paths to career success and economic stability – we can’t wait to see all we accomplish together! ? #AlaskaCareerGuide #rootEd #Education #CareerDevelopment #Alaska https://lnkd.in/gr-iK2mk

This week we launched rootEd Arkansas with Heartland Forward and the Arkansas Department of Education to bring dedicated college and career advisers, working alongside existing staff, to define and plan their futures and help them attain career success after high school, whether that’s a two- or four-year college, trade apprenticeships, vocational training or certifications, or military service. ? Angie Cooper, EVP of Heartland Forward: "[rootEd] really fits nicely with what we're trying to do, and talking about — how do we truly build the talent pipeline? And rootED is going to do just that." ? https://lnkd.in/gJPcRmb6

We are thrilled to partner with Heartland Forward and the Arkansas Department of Education to launch rootEd Arkansas in 10 rural high schools across the state to help students lay the groundwork for their future career success. These terrific rootEd college and career advisors, leveraging a proven national model, provide time and expertise to help students understand the breadth of their opportunities and turn their ideas into concrete plans.

Congratulations to all 31 #rootEd scholars! We can't wait to see all you accomplish! https://lnkd.in/gss_eExy

Join us in congratulating three #rootEdMissouri advisors for receiving well-deserved honors this week! ?? ? Janine Castillo, an advisor at Hume High School, was named the 2024 Advisor of the Year for her exemplary efforts to help high school students in rural communities develop and achieve strong plans for life after graduation. In addition to boosting college enrollment and #FAFSA completion rates, Castillo’s leadership earned the high school the American College Application Campaign School of Excellence Award. Hume was the only participating school to have a 100% application rate. ? Unity Seay, an advisor at Fair Play High School, was presented the “Innovation Award” for her creative approaches to fostering connections and providing information to students and families, and Candy Bothwell, an advisor at Macks Creek High School, earned the “110% Award” for going above and beyond to advance rootEd’s mission. ? “rootEd Missouri is making a real impact,” said Missouri Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger. “We owe our thanks to hardworking, innovative advisors like Janine, Unity, and Candy.” ? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gWzXFDGC.. ?

We’re so excited to join rootEd Alliance and our partners across the state to celebrate three #rootEdTexas Advisors for their exemplary efforts to help high school students in rural communities develop and achieve strong plans for life after graduation. Ruthann Campbell, an advisor at Sweetwater High School, received the 2024 Advisor of the Year award. E2E's very own postsecondary advisor Emily Bueno, from Bishop High School, and Scott Riggins, an advisor at Rule, Eula and Clyde high schools, received Rookie of the Year awards. Congratulations to Emily, Scott and Ruthann on their well-deserved honors! We’re grateful for all you do! Learn more about their achievements and about our statewide effort to place dedicated advisors in rural high schools to ensure every student graduates on a path to career success and economic stability at rootedalliance.org

We’re excited to announce Ruthann Campbell, a rootEd advisor at Sweetwater High School, has been named Texas Advisor of the Year for her exemplary efforts to help high school students in rural communities develop and achieve strong plans for life after graduation. Over the last year, Ruthann supported every senior to graduate with both a postsecondary plan and a financial plan. She also helped 98% of her students graduate with a career exposure opportunity, like job shadowing, and 89% complete the #FAFSA, far outpacing the statewide completion rate of 55%. “Ruthann views advising as much more than helping a student find a job or enroll into a school,” said Julia Rodriguez-Arreola, a regional partner for rootEd Texas who nominated Ruthann for the award. “She understands the importance of bringing employers, institutions of higher education, community resources and the high school to the table and together helping students be successful.” Join us, Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas and all of our #rootEdTexas partners in congratulating Ruthann on her well-deserved award! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gYqkhWmM

What a week! For the first time ever, rootEd Alliance gathered key leaders from each of its partner organizations in one city to reflect on our successes, to swap best practices, and to plan for a strong future for students in rural America. We are leaving the convening inspired and invigorated for the year ahead, and we can't wait for our partners to bring lessons learned back to their communities. Thank you to all who attended!

A key part of ensuring every student is prepared for career success is helping them secure financial aid for education and training after high school. With help from rootEd advisor Cassie Sendra, three students from Southwest High School in Missouri have earned the Hagan Scholarship, a national need-based merit award to help students achieve their goals and graduate college debt-free. The scholarship is worth up to $60,000 over four years. Congratulations to Lilly Wolf, Faith Outhouse and Kameron Kelley! ? Read more about their plans for the future: https://lnkd.in/gijCN2gD #rootEdMissouri

#DecisonDay is one of our favorite events of the year. It’s a time to not only honor the hard-work of our students and advisors but also to reflect on the positive impact of our college and career advising model on rural communities. Here’s a roundup of recent coverage of these hard-earned celebrations across Missouri: ?? Decision Day at Mexico High School: https://lnkd.in/g5Jbf74q ?? Decision Day at North Callaway high School: https://lnkd.in/gCGtq-QW? ?? Decision Day at Silex High School: https://lnkd.in/ggp2D5e4 #rootEdMissouri