Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

Earlier this month, the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) presented Hume R-VIII Counselor and rootED Advisor Janine Castillo with the 2023 American College Application Campaign School of Excellence Award during an assembly. Hume R-VIII received this national recognition for its work to increase the number of high school seniors applying to college through the Apply Missouri program.

“The 2024 class at Hume R-VIII achieving a 100 percent college application rate shows how much they value education and their determination to achieve their life and career goals,” said Dr. Bennett Boggs, Commissioner of MDHEWD. “Between now and 2030, 70 percent of all jobs will require some form of education beyond high school. The educators and administrators at Hume have shown a commitment to their students and have put them on a path to succeed.”

Castillo and Hume R-VIII received recognition for ensuring students understand the steps of the application process and hosting events that empower students to complete an application. Castillo represents rootED Alliance as an advisor at Hume, with the goal to work with all students to define and plan their futures, whether through a college degree, work-based learning, or military service.

“Helping and supporting students as the rootEd Advisor in my home community after years away is an ideal role,” Castillo said. “There are so many opportunities and paths to explore out of high school, and I hope to bring each student one step closer to the life they want to create and knowledge to evaluate and think through their options.”

Apply Missouri is one of three Journey to College programs designed to help students plan and pay for college. Visit the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development’s website for more information about Apply Missouri and Journey to College.

The American College Application Campaign (ACAC), which is part of ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning, is designed to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income families who pursue a postsecondary degree.