Jefferson City, MO (July 7, 2025) – rootEd Missouri, which trains and places dedicated college and career advisors in rural high schools, announced a significant increase in funding as part of the Missouri’s fiscal 2026 budget, signed by Governor Kehoe. rootEd Missouri is a statewide partnership between national nonprofit rootEd Alliance, Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Ozarks Technical Community College, and local participating school districts.

The additional allocation to rootEd Alliance, as part of DESE’s Missouri Career Advising Initiative, will enable rootEd Missouri to support a dedicated college and career advisor in an additional 50 rural high schools. With this expansion, rootEd will reach a total of 180 schools across the state, and approximately half of all rural schools in Missouri will be served by a rootEd advisor.

The newly enacted budget reflects the state’s strong commitment to its workforce development goals and the future of Missouri’s rural students, and is a testament to rootEd’s proven track record in the state.

The funding’s structure, which includes philanthropic matches from rootEd and contributions from local school districts, enables even further expansion into interested school districts. The collaborative approach underscores the power of public-private partnerships to drive educational and economic progress.

“Missouri’s rural communities are a critical part of our state’s talent pipeline,” said Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe. “rootEd Missouri helps connect students in rural school districts to education and training opportunities so they can contribute to Missouri’s workforce. Building on rootEd’s strong track record in our schools, I am proud to work with the General Assembly to help expand rootEd and support even more Missouri students with additional funding in this budget.”

As a result of rootEd Missouri, students from rural Missouri are on paths to high-demand careers, building a robust pipeline of talent for the state’s workforce.

  • Schools with rootEd advisors have seen a 20% increase in students pursuing college and career training, and 47% fewer students are pursuing low-skill work immediately after school, compared to pre-rootEd outcomes.
  • rootEd Missouri students complete the FAFSA at a rate more than 13 percentage points higher than the state average, opening doors to financial aid and higher education opportunities.
  • In collaboration with Missouri’s Chamber of Commerce, over 700 Missouri businesses have provided employment and career exposure opportunities to rootEd Missouri students, bridging the gap between education and the workforce.

rootEd advisors meet with all seniors one-on-one throughout the school year, ensuring they have the necessary support and resources to leave high school on a path towards career success, whether that entails a college degree, career credentials, apprenticeships, or military service. Graduates from rootEd high schools are forecasted to earn 17% more than they would have without the support of a rootEd advisor.

  • Ethan Keesee, a 2024 graduate of Arcadia Valley High School, is studying HVAC at Mineral Area College (MAC). In his senior year, he participated in a “shadow a tech” day at MAC organized by his advisor, Nicole Thomas. This hands-on experience with the equipment was a pivotal moment in helping Ethan determine his career path. Nicole also provided invaluable support throughout his financial aid process. Reflecting on his journey, Ethan said, “I honestly wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without my advisor Miss Nicole.”
  • Reghan Jenkins, another 2024 graduate of Arcadia Valley High School, is pursuing a nursing degree at the University of Missouri (Mizzou). Initially, Reghan was hesitant to apply to college due to financial concerns. However, advisor Nicole Thomas guided her through every step, from finding resources to getting fees waived. Reghan shared, “Anytime I walked into Miss Nicole’s office, she immediately made me feel like there’s a way and we’re going to find it.”

“This continued investment provides career opportunities to students across Missouri,” Commissioner Karla Eslinger said. “The statewide partnership to place college and career advisors in rural high schools, helps students become more successful and in turn grows the state’s economy. We are thankful for Governor Kehoe’s continued commitment to this initiative as we work diligently here at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to produce the workforce of tomorrow.”

“We have seen firsthand the long-lasting effects that rootEd advisors can have on students, schools and communities, and we are eager to bring these life-changing resources to more students across the great state of Missouri,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, Chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College, which operates rootEd across Missouri.

“We are deeply grateful to Governor Kehoe for expanding opportunities that give rural high school students access to the education and skills needed for well-paying careers,” said rootEd Alliance Board Chair Noa Meyer. “There’s extraordinary talent in rural communities. rootEd Missouri is helping students connect to high-growth, high-demand career opportunities and helping businesses access a strong talent pipeline.”

For more information about rootEd Alliance and its impact on Missouri’s rural schools, please visit https://rootEdAlliance.org.

 

About rootEd Alliance
rootEd Alliance is committed to expanding economic opportunity and mobility for rural youth by ensuring every student graduates high school on a path to a well-paying career. rootEd Alliance places dedicated college and career advisors in rural high schools to work one-on-one with all seniors to define and create a plan for their futures, whether through a college degree, career credentials, apprenticeships, or military service. Launched in 2018 and now operating in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Alaska, and Idaho, rootEd advisors currently serve over 20,000 students at more than 200 rural high schools. rootEd Alliance is made possible by a group of philanthropists, convened by BDT & MSD Partners.