Expansion brings dedicated college and career advisors to rural Oklahoma high schools

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, in anticipation of the 2026 Heartland Summit, Heartland Forward announced the expansion of rootEd Alliance in Oklahoma. rootEd Alliance is a national nonprofit that places trained college and career advisors in rural high schools to work one-on-one with students, helping them build a plan for life after graduation, whether through a college degree, career credential, apprenticeships, military service or entering the workforce directly. To date, rootEd advisors have served more than 100,000 rural students nationwide including in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Alaska, Illinois, Idaho, and, as of this academic year, Oklahoma.

The model has shown strong results. Nationally, rootEd schools have seen a nearly 30% increase in students pursuing postsecondary education or career training and 54% fewer students pursuing low-skill, low wage jobs. rootEd schools also saw a 27% increase in completion of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“Every student should graduate high school with a clear path forward, whether that means college, skills development or a meaningful career. rootEd Oklahoma will connect rural students to opportunities that strengthen Oklahoma’s workforce and economy,” said Angie Cooper, president of Heartland Forward. “As a native Oklahoman, I’m proud to help bring this proven model to communities across the state. We’re grateful to the Inasmuch Foundation and the George Kaiser Family Foundation for helping make this expansion possible.”

“There’s so much talent in rural communities, and we’ve seen the far-reaching impact that a dedicated career advisor can have on students, schools, and communities,” said Noa Meyer, Board Chair of rootEd Alliance. “We are proud to grow our partnership with Heartland Forward to bring dedicated career advising to more rural students across Oklahoma and Arkansas, helping ensure they have the support they need to explore career options and take action to build their futures.”

After leading a successful pilot program in Arkansas, Heartland Forward will serve as the program’s implementation partner in the state of Oklahoma. Together, Heartland Forward and rootEd Alliance are placing advisors in select Oklahoma high schools for the 2026-27 school year. Planning is underway for rootEd Oklahoma to be in 10 high schools across 10 rural school districts, supporting more than 1,000 students across Oklahoma in the 2027-28 school year.

The Oklahoma expansion is made possible through the support of the Inasmuch Foundation and the George Kaiser Family Foundation alongside local district partners.

Inasmuch Foundation is supporting rootEd Oklahoma through Bedrock, a fund dedicated to supporting transformational initiatives across Oklahoma. “Bedrock exists to invest in bold ideas and create meaningful, long-term change across Oklahoma,” said Robert J. Ross, President & CEO of Inasmuch Foundation. “rootEd Oklahoma will help rural students connect their education to real opportunities for jobs. This partnership will build a stronger workforce and more vibrant communities for generations to come.”

“The rootEd model has proven effective in several places as a way of advancing opportunity for young people,” said Ken Levit, Executive Director of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. “We look forward to partnering with others in bringing strong one-on-one college and career advisors to more Oklahoma schools and to the students who will, as a result, chart a more prosperous future for themselves, their families and their communities.”

To learn more about Heartland Forward’s work implementing rootEd in Arkansas visit www.heartlandforward.org/rooted and read the latest rootEd Arkansas impact report here.

About Heartland Forward
Heartland Forward is a non-profit, policy think-and-do tank that turns ideas into action for states and local communities. Our mission is to accelerate economic growth, change the narrative about the middle of the country and generate $500 million of economic impact to the heartland by 2030. We do this through applied research, community-driven programs, policy and convenings—focusing on regional competitiveness, talent pipeline and health and wellness.

About the Heartland Summit
The Heartland Summit was co-founded by Olivia and Tom Walton and Steuart Walton in 2018 to kick-start economic growth and help change the narrative about the middle of the country. The Summit is a forum for frank conversation about our shared challenges, creating positive action and strengthening connections.

About rootEd Alliance
Founded in 2018, rootEd Alliance is a national nonprofit that helps rural high school students achieve career success and strengthens America’s skilled workforce. rootEd places dedicated career advisors in rural high schools to support students in defining and realizing their career goals, whether through a college degree, workforce credentials, apprenticeships, or military service, while partnering with communities, states, and employers to close talent gaps and drive rural economic prosperity. To date, rootEd advisors have served more than 100,000 rural students nationwide including in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Alaska, Illinois, and Idaho, and has partnered with more than 1,500 employers nationally. At the schools it serves, rootEd has led to nearly 30% more students pursuing college and career training.
rootEd Alliance is made possible by a group of philanthropists, convened by BDT & MSD Partners. For more information, please visit: https://rootEdAlliance.org.

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SOURCE Heartland Forward