This session will explore the Trailblazer Express Program (TBE), a partnership between the University of North Texas at Dallas, a public regional university, and select high schools to create a direct admissions program. The program is designed to empower underrepresented students by removing barriers in the college application process. Attendees will learn about the program's design and preliminary outcomes, and examine both qualitative and quantitative insights.

• Attend this session to understand the intricacies of designing and implementing a direct admissions program that fosters equity in education.

• Expect to gain a blend of qualitative and quantitative insights into the effectiveness of programs aimed at changing the landscape for underrepresented students in the college admissions process.

• Discover strategies for applying these insights to similar initiatives aimed at enhancing access to higher education for all students.