News

Diverse Group Works to Strengthen Pathways at Michigan Community Colleges

With a grant from Ascendium, leaders from Michigan’s community colleges have been discussing how to build stronger and more equitable pathways to and through workforce programs for learners from low-income backgrounds. Convened by the Michigan Community College Association through its Michigan Center for Student Success, leaders have engaged with others across the state and heard from national experts on strategies guided by evidence-based practices.

Over $11M in New Grants, Innovative Reentry Campus Program Delivery, New Education Philanthropy Team Member and More

• Over $11 Million Invested in Grants to Support Community College Student Success, Postsecondary Completion and More
• Reentry Campus Program Takes Innovative Approach to Delivering Postsecondary Education in Prison
• Education Philanthropy Team Welcomes New Hire with Community College System Expertise

Over $11 Million Invested in Grants to Support Community College Student Success, Postsecondary Completion and More

Recently, Ascendium approved new grants totaling over $11 million. These grants support a range of work, including but not limited to, student success at community colleges, the organization of stakeholders across multiple states to address the challenges of postsecondary education in prison regionally and technical assistance to rural community colleges interested in applying for federal grant dollars.

Education Philanthropy Team Welcomes New Hire with Community College System Expertise

Ascendium’s Education Philanthropy is excited to share a new program officer has joined our team! Valerie Crespín-Trujillo will support strategic grantmaking in our Streamline Key Learner Transitions and Support Rural Postsecondary Education and Workforce Training focus areas. Her valuable knowledge and experience with community college systems makes her a great addition to our team, and we look forward to exploring how those experiences can inform our future grantmaking.

Support for Incarcerated Learners through New Coding Course, New Projects that Aim to Link Learner Transition Data and More

• Coding Course Prepares Incarcerated Learners for Careers in Technology
• Ascendium Invests in Projects that Link
  Postsecondary Education and Workforce Data
• Over 500 Apprentices Receive Tools of the Trade
  Scholarships

Future Workforce Supported by Ascendium with $1,500 Tools of the Trade Scholarships Going to Over 500 Wisconsin Apprentices

Five hundred eleven construction and industrial trade apprentices have been awarded scholarships through Ascendium’s Tools of the Trade Scholarship program this year. In its ninth year, the scholarship program benefits apprentices with financial need in the Wisconsin Technical College System.

Ascendium Education Group Releases 2021 Education Philanthropy Report: Stronger Together

Ascendium Education Group has released its 2021 Education Philanthropy report, Stronger Together. The report tells the story of Ascendium’s philanthropy during 2021 and what can be achieved through partnership and collaboration.

2021 Education Philanthropy Report: Stronger Together

Ascendium is pleased to announce the availability of our 2021 Education Philanthropy Report, Stronger Together.

New Education Philanthropy Team Members, Guided Pathways Framework Tool Available and More

• Ascendium Strengthens Education Philanthropy Team With New Hires
• AAC&U Publishes Web-Based Tool For Campuses Engaged in Guided Pathways

Ascendium Invests in Projects that Link Postsecondary Education and Workforce Data

The Coleridge Initiative, a grant partner of Ascendium, recently announced 10 teams were selected to participate in their Democratizing our Data Challenge. The challenge was designed to build on successful investments made by government agencies to collaborate, develop and scale tools that inform education and workforce policy. Each team has been working to develop and scale their innovative approaches to understanding employment outcomes for workers and learners from low-income backgrounds. Carrying forward the success and momentum from this first round, applications to participate in the second round of the data challenge are now open.