IOWA CITY, Iowa, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- ConnectEdu, a leader in web-based college and career planning solutions and integrated admissions services, today announced its partnership with University of Iowa to deploy the Connect!(R) online portal. As the first institution of higher education in Iowa to introduce Connect!(R), University of Iowa will lead the state initiative to support Iowa high school students, parents and guidance counselors in the college planning and application process, while modernizing admissions.

University of Iowa joins a national network of high schools, community colleges, colleges and universities that have embraced the unique web-based service to simplify the "going to college" process for everyone engaged in student success. Designed with customized online tools for each user category, Connect!(R) provides one centralized platform that, for the first time, systematically connects secondary education to higher education through secure web technology. University of Iowa is positioned to be the first in Iowa to begin electronically receiving application materials, including transcripts and recommendation letters, using XML data exchange and will also begin meeting new students through Connect!(R)'s secure, gated community.

"The University of Iowa is pleased to become the first university in the state to partner with ConnectEdu," said Michael Barron, Assistant Provost for Enrollment Services and Director of Admissions for the University. "We found Connect! to be an extremely robust, comprehensive and cost-effective technology solution that fully serves the needs of students, families and high school college counseling programs. In this high school based system, and at no cost to families, students are welcomed into the on-line community and provided tools that eliminate much of the complexity of admissions. By exposing more students to a streamlined application process, we are looking forward to building greater access to higher education in Iowa."

University of Iowa joins a national campaign to provide high schools the Connect!(R) platform at no charge to students, parents or guidance counselors. ConnectEdu will be working with University of Iowa to begin connecting high schools throughout the state to build a regional network. Additional progressive colleges committed to this initiative include University of Connecticut, Rutgers University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, City University of New York, Missouri State University and Truman State University. By sponsoring the implementation of Connect!(R) in all Iowa high schools and encouraging all Iowa colleges and universities to connect, University of Iowa demonstrates its commitment to democratizing college admissions and creating greater access to higher education through new technology.

"ConnectEdu is focused on the future of college admissions and how technology is supporting the education industry's transition from a paper-based process to a data-driven initiative," said Craig Powell, President of ConnectEdu. "We're excited about working with leaders at University of Iowa who understand the value of receiving data points and what that means for future decision making in recruitment, retention and student success. As

trailblazers in higher education, University of Iowa will demonstrate the feasibility, cost-effectiveness and practicality of this initiative."

For more information on Connect!(R) visit http://www.connectedu.net/ or call 617-532-3000.

About ConnectEdu, Inc.

In 2002, President & Founder Craig Powell established ConnectEdu to simplify the college admissions and financial aid process for all involved. Believing that students must be at the core of a solution, the ConnectEdu team began development of Connect! -- a web solution that benchmarks every 9th - 12th grade student against a comprehensive college plan, virtually connects high schools to higher education institutions directly, and provides the tools for everyone involved in the admissions and financial aid process to do their work. Students are empowered, parents are engaged and counselors are enabled with modern technology that enhances college counseling and allows them to return to the core of their mission -- assisting students in making one of the most important decisions in their lives. Today, Connect! is the industry leading national going-to-college portal.

About University of Iowa

The University of Iowa is a major national research university with a solid liberal arts and sciences foundation. Respected for its excellence in education, passion for discovery, and tradition of public service, the University offers a close-knit intellectual community that draws students and scholars from around the world. Founded in 1847, the UI is Iowa's oldest public university. Today it comprises 11 colleges, a major teaching hospital, a technology research campus, museums of art and natural history, and other resources. It is the largest of three public universities governed by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. The University of Iowa was the country's first public university to admit men and women on an equal basis. It was also the first university to accept creative work in theatre, writing, music, and art as theses for advanced degrees; the site of the first law school west of the Mississippi; and the world's first broadcaster of educational television.

CONTACT: Tom De Santes, +1-617-532-3027, tdesantes@connectedu.net, or
Daryl Slater, +1-617-532-3034, dslater@connectedu.net, both of ConnectEdu

Web site: http://www.connectedu.net/