Advancing Educational Access & Opportunity
LiftED is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing educational access and opportunity for first-generation and low-income students. Through dynamic, student-centered programming, LiftED equips students with the practical knowledge, critical skills, and accessible resources needed to navigate college, careers, finances, and life beyond the classroom.
Our work is grounded in the belief that talent is universal, but access is not; and that when students are given the right tools and guidance, they can thrive academically, professionally, and personally.
Our Mission
LiftED empowers students to make informed decisions about their futures by providing engaging workshops, hands-on learning experiences, and curriculum that supports long-term success. We work to close opportunity gaps and create lasting impact through education, innovation, and empowerment.
Supporting Students at Every Stage
LiftED delivers programming that supports students at multiple stages of their educational journey, from early college exploration to career preparation and financial independence.
Our programs help students:
-
Navigate the college admissions and transition process.
-
Develop confidence and clarity around career pathways.
-
Build strong financial habits and decision-making skills.
-
Explore entrepreneurship and creative problem-solving.
-
Gain exposure to research, data, and evidence-based learning.
Focus Areas
College Readiness
LiftED equips students with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully navigate the college admissions process. Programming includes support with applications, financial aid, scholarships, academic planning, and the transition to college life; empowering students to make informed postsecondary choices.
Entrepreneurship
Students explore the foundations of entrepreneurship by developing creative problem-solving skills, learning how to turn ideas into action, and understanding the basics of starting and sustaining a business. LiftED fosters an entrepreneurial mindset that can be applied across careers and industries.
Financial Literacy
Through engaging and practical programming, LiftED teaches essential financial skills such as budgeting, saving, credit management, student loan awareness, and long-term planning. These lessons help students build a strong foundation for financial stability and independence.
Career Readiness
LiftED prepares students for the workforce through resume building, interview skills, professional networking, and career exploration. Students gain the confidence and competencies to pursue meaningful career pathways aligned with their goals and strengths.
Research
Research is a key pillar of LiftED's work. Through community-based and student-led research projects, LiftED uses evidence to inform practice, evaluate impact, advocate for policy change, and amplify the voices and experiences of first-generation and low-income students. Whether you are looking to volunteer, partner, or support our work, there are many ways to get involved with LiftED.
How We Work
LiftED's work is grounded in principles that ensure meaningful impact.
Student-centered
Built around real needs and lived experiences.
Practical
Focused on skills students can use immediately.
Collaborative
Strengthened through partnerships with schools, libraries, nonprofits, and community organizations.
About the Founder & Executive Director
Charmaine Troy, Ph.D.
Dr. Charmaine Troy is the Founder and Executive Director of LiftED and a nationally recognized speaker, author, education entrepreneur, and advocate for first-generation student success. Her work sits at the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and access, with a career dedicated to creating systems and resources that empower students who are often the first in their families to navigate college and professional pathways.
In addition to leading LiftED, Dr. Troy is the Founder and CEO of FirstGenTalks, an educational technology platform designed to help first-generation students build financial confidence, access scholarships, and make informed decisions through mobile-first tools, micro-learning, and AI-powered support. She is also the Founder of Troy Education Consulting, where she partners with schools, nonprofits, corporations, and community organizations to design and deliver programming focused on college readiness, financial literacy, career preparation, and student success strategy.
Dr. Troy is the co-author of Developing and Implementing Promising Practices for First-Generation Students and a sought-after national speaker on topics including first-generation identity, educational access, financial empowerment, and innovative student support models. Her work is informed by both research and lived experience, allowing her to bridge theory and practice in ways that resonate with students, educators, and community leaders alike.
Born and raised in the rural town of Lumberton, North Carolina, Dr. Troy is a proud first-generation college graduate whose personal journey fuels her commitment to equity-driven education and opportunity creation. She earned a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Morgan State University.
Join Our Mission
Whether you are looking to volunteer, partner, or support our work, there are many ways to get involved with LiftED.