What is the name of your organization?
Peak Education
What is the name of your solution?
InterWoven (web platform)
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
InterWoven simplifies the college search and transition for low-income, first-generation, and rural students through a mobile-friendly platform.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
United States
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Peak Education increases educational equity by helping marginalized students access college and achieve their career potential. Only 51% of students from lower-income backgrounds (of all geographic locations) enroll in some college after high school, compared to 89% of families from middle and upper-income backgrounds. Only 29% of all rural high school graduates enroll in some postsecondary education. Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce indicates that most middle-income jobs will continue to require some postsecondary credentials, and 66% of jobs leading to middle or high-income wages will require a Bachelor's degree. Many students do not enroll in college because there is no local support to allow them to navigate the college admission and financial aid processes. Further, youth in low-income and rural communities often have limited access to learning about potential career fields and college majors/certificate options from their peers (Deforge, 2015). InterWoven seeks to use both technology and a support curriculum to ensure that more students can pursue their educational and career goals.
What is your solution?
InterWoven, Peak Education’s college access platform, expands social capital for low-income, first-generation students by connecting them with college peers nationwide. These authentic, sustained peer relationships demystify the college experience and offer firsthand insights into campus life, academic transitions, and the application process.
The platform simulates core campus visit experiences like student panels and supports mentoring between high school and college students. Students build diverse support networks through these interactions and gain critical insights into college life. It was co-designed with Peak Education Scholars to be engaging, youth-friendly, and inclusive. InterWoven partners with college admissions offices to ensure students furthest from opportunity, due to income or geography, can access meaningful guidance and support.
Recognizing that many students lack access to professionals or campus visits, InterWoven includes a flexible curriculum for classroom or advisory use, equipping educators to support college and financial aid navigation.
Watch a short video to learn more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWFJKfViO2Y7mzOeKVQR_AFHylm3rJR-/view?usp=sharing.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
InterWoven serves low-income, first-generation, and rural students who face systemic barriers to higher education. These students, often from marginalized communities, are underserved by traditional college access programs. They struggle with limited exposure to college opportunities, career options, and networks, particularly when they lack the financial means to visit campuses or connect with professionals in their fields of interest. For these students, accessing the resources needed to navigate the college search process and transition to higher education can feel overwhelming.
InterWoven directly addresses these challenges by providing a mobile-friendly platform that connects students with college students, mentors, and professionals in their field of interest. This connection offers personalized support, guidance, and real-life insights into the college experience, which are critical for success in the college search and transition process. By facilitating peer-to-peer mentorship and offering an authentic network, the platform empowers students with the tools they need to demystify the college process, explore career paths, and gain the confidence to pursue postsecondary education.
The impact of this solution will be profound, as it provides social capital, career exposure, and mentorship to students who might otherwise be isolated from these critical resources, directly increasing their college access and potential for success.
