Mississippi Dyslexia
Institute
Recruit and train the next generation of dyslexia therapists.
The Mississippi Dyslexia Institute had a clear mission but no infrastructure to support it.No brand, no website, no way to accept applications or process payments. They needed a partner who could build the entire foundation, from visual identity to the operational platform their team would rely on every day.
Starting from Zero
No brand. No platform. No compromises.
MDI approached us with a bold mission and nothing else. No logo, no colors, no website, no systems. Most agencies would have recommended a handful of off-the-shelf tools and moved on. We saw an opportunity to build something purpose-built for the way their institute actually operates.
The Brand
Academic gravitas meets approachable warmth.
We developed MDI's complete visual identity from the ground up. The color palette pairs deep forest teal and navy with warm ivory and vibrant cyan accents, balancing institutional credibility with approachability. Cormorant Garamond headlines convey a scholarly tone, while Libre Franklin body text maintains clarity and readability. The logo system works across web, print, and favicon contexts, and every UI component follows a cohesive style guide that extends from the public site through student portals and administrative tools.
The Public Website
Built to convert visitors into applicants.
The marketing site opens with a cinematic hero and the statement 'Training Dyslexia Therapists.' It is fully SEO-optimized with structured data and smooth scroll-driven animations. Visitors can browse a live workshop catalog, view early-bird pricing and remaining availability, and register through Stripe-powered checkout. Prospective trainees are guided through a multi-step application for the 2026-2027 cohort with clear deadlines and fee breakdowns. A Speaker's Bureau showcases faculty credentials with filterable topic tags. Every page was architected to convert.
The Platform
Four roles. One unified system.
Behind the public site is a role-based platform serving four distinct user types. Applicants complete a guided 8-section application with file uploads, digital signatures, and integrated fee checkout. Trainees access a learning portal with cohort dashboards, workshop classrooms, and payment installment tracking. Instructors manage rosters, curriculum, shared resources, and communications from a dedicated portal. Administrators operate from a command center with real-time revenue dashboards, application pipeline management, cohort administration, and bulk email tools.
Payment Infrastructure
Multiple payment models, one integration.
MDI's financial model includes workshop fees, application fees, and structured tuition installment plans running simultaneously. We built a multi-model Stripe integration that handles every scenario, with automated payment reminders and real-time status reconciliation keeping everything in sync. Administrators can monitor revenue, track outstanding balances, and manage payment plans without ever leaving the platform.
One Codebase. One Login.
Replacing an entire SaaS stack.
The result is a brand-new institute operating on a single, purpose-built system. Instead of managing an LMS, a CRM, a payment dashboard, an email tool, and an analytics platform with separate logins and disconnected data, MDI runs everything from one place. One codebase. One login. Everything they need to recruit and train dyslexia therapists across Mississippi.
"Working with Hilltree means partnering with a team that truly understands your mission. They create innovative, thoughtful solutions that strengthen your business and allow you to focus on the work you do best. With genuine care and a deep commitment to customer service, Hilltree develops solutions that keep mission at the center."
