Spotlight On
Illinois
Launched as a pilot in the 2025–26 academic year, rootEd Illinois brings together John Wood Community College (JWCC), the Tracy Family Foundation (TFF) and the Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) to bring the rootEd Alliance model to rural communities across West Central, Illinois. For the 2026–27 academic year, rootEd Illinois is serving students in six rural high schools.
Myley Allison, a 2026 Southeastern graduate who worked with her rootEd advisor Marcy Wort during her senior year, is now a first-generation college student studying crop science at JWCC. Wort helped Allison decide what she wanted to study and figure out how to apply for the FAFSA.
“I don’t know where I would be without Marcy,” Allison said.
“The opportunity to have an experienced, dedicated, knowledgeable, resourceful and caring rootEd advisor join our team and help our students was beneficial for most and literally life-changing for some.”
— Tim Kerr, Southeastern High School principal
"We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to pursue a meaningful future. This initiative is a great example of what can happen when education, philanthropy and workforce partners come together around a shared goal.”
- Angie Schlater, Senior Programs Manager, the Tracy Family Foundation
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