AT EDUCATION IS FREEDOM, WE

EMPOWER, EQUIP, AND ENABLE STUDENTS

TO ATTAIN A POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

About Us

IN THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR:

Education is Freedom (EIF) is a key partner in advancing Dallas County economic mobility, through our college and career advising.

50,000+

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

220M+

RECEIVED IN FINANCIAL AID

8,763

SENIORS SERVED

40,250

STUDENT VISITS TO THEIR EIF ADVISOR

Our Programs

COLLEGE AND CAREER ADVISING

MIDDLE SCHOOL ADVISING

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

EIF SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Board of Directors

CHAIR

Alejandra Barbosa

Founding Director,
Principal Impact Collaborative,
Special Advisor to the President,
UNT-Dallas

FOUNDER

James W. Keyes

Chairman & CEO
Wild Oats Marketing LLC

David Biegler

Retired Chairman & CEO Southcross Energy, LLC
Retired Vice Chairman TXU Corp

Patrick Brandt

Co-Founder & President
Shiftsmart

Adam Cox

Partner
Bain & Company

Sandi Karrmann

Senior Vice President
Chief Human Resources Officer
Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Bob Mong

Former President
UNT-Dallas

Mark Okada

Co-Founder & CEO
Sycamore Tree Capital
Partners, LP

Drexell Owusu

Chief Impact Officer
Community Impact
The Dallas Foundation

Natalie Williams

Executive Director
Tarrant County
To and Thru

Todd Williams

Chairman & CEO
The Commit Partnership

DR. SUSANNA RUSSELL,
PRESIDENT AND CEO

Dr. Susanna Russell leads Education is Freedom with a clear vision: To empower underserved youth through transformative education and mentorship. With nearly 40 years in public education, Dr. Russell is a recognized advocate for educational equity, from classroom teacher to senior leadership across Texas’s top school districts.

Before joining EIF in 2024, Dr. Russell served as Chief Leadership Officer for Garland ISD, where she led initiatives in college, career, and military readiness, establishing groundbreaking early college and P-TECH programs at every Garland high school.

Dr. Russell holds degrees from Trinity University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, and The University of Texas at Austin. An inspiring speaker, she advocates for equitable education pathways for all.

Your gift of $100 transformS lives through education

Your funds help an underserved student access critical resources for continuing their education beyond high school, including college, career training, or the military.

These resources (provided through EIF’s Higher Education Advisors) ultimately allow students to earn a livable wage and develop a sustaining career. Thank you for helping us create lasting impact!

Give Today

Education is Freedom is proud to announce the acquisition of the proven, highly regarded Education Opens Doors (EOD) middle school curriculum. This valuable addition enhances our impact and ability to provide students with the support they need from middle school through high school graduation.

With over 22 years of experience in providing high school students across Dallas County access to Higher Education Advisors, EIF is excited to reach students earlier in their educational journey. We aim to equip middle school students with the tools and knowledge to pursue their dreams. And we’re committed to continuing EOD’s inspiring work, understanding that students’ talents, passions, and dreams begin to take shape well before high school.