James Madison University’s (JMU) Pre-College Program faced obstacles in its TRIO programs, including limited parental involvement, accessibility hurdles, and low application completion rates. These challenges made it hard to serve first-generation and low-income students effectively and meet federal grant requirements.

To address these issues, JMU partnered with Innovative Educators to implement targeted solutions that delivered real results:

Engaging Families: Innovative Educators developed a multilingual parent orientation platform that informed families about TRIO services and the value of college preparatory activities. This resource, available in six languages, connected with diverse communities and significantly improved parental participation.

Improving Access: By offering materials in languages such as Arabic, Swahili, and Russian, Innovative Educators created inclusive tools that eliminated barriers for families previously left out of the process.

Simplifying Applications: Streamlined resources made the application process more accessible, increasing participation and ensuring compliance with federal grant requirements.

For students, Innovative Educators provided practical workshops on essential topics like time management, financial literacy, and college planning. These concise, focused sessions equipped students with the tools they needed to transition confidently to college. JMU also gained the ability to better track outcomes and participation, ensuring program effectiveness. This partnership not only demonstrates the power of technology in bridging gaps in educational access but also serves as a model for TRIO and GEAR UP programs nationwide to replicate in their efforts to empower underserved communities.