Bentonville, Ark. – September 28, 2026 -- Heartland Forward and rootEd Alliance are expanding a rural college-and-career advising program into Oklahoma, with plans to reach 10 high schools across 10 rural districts and more than 1,000 students by the 2027-28 school year.
rootEd advisors have already served over 100,000 rural students nationwide
The nonprofit program places trained advisors directly in rural high schools to work one-on-one with students on post-graduation plans, covering college, career credentials, apprenticeships, military service or direct workforce entry. rootEd currently operates in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Alaska, Illinois and Idaho, with Oklahoma added this academic year.
Program data show a 30% jump in postsecondary enrollment at participating schools
Schools with rootEd advisors have recorded a nearly 30% increase in students pursuing postsecondary education or career training, a 54% drop in students taking low-skill, low-wage jobs, and a 27% rise in FAFSA completion rates, according to Heartland Forward.
Heartland Forward moves from Arkansas pilot to statewide Oklahoma rollout
Having led a pilot program in Arkansas, Heartland Forward will serve as rootEd's implementation partner in Oklahoma, placing advisors in select high schools starting with the 2026-27 school year. Angie Cooper, president of Heartland Forward, said the expansion aims to connect rural Oklahoma students to opportunities that strengthen the state's workforce and economy.
Inasmuch Foundation and George Kaiser Family Foundation fund the expansion
The Oklahoma rollout is financed through the Inasmuch Foundation's Bedrock fund and the George Kaiser Family Foundation, alongside local school district partners. Robert J. Ross, President & CEO of Inasmuch Foundation, said the initiative connects rural education to real job opportunities. Ken Levit, Executive Director of the George Kaiser Family Foundation, said the partnership aims to expand one-on-one advising to more Oklahoma schools.
Noa Meyer, Board Chair of rootEd Alliance, said the organization is growing its partnership with Heartland Forward to extend career advising across Oklahoma and Arkansas. The announcement precedes the 2026 Heartland Summit, co-founded in 2018 by Olivia and Tom Walton and Steuart Walton.