News

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

Second Chance Month Brought Needed Attention To Justice-Impacted Individuals. Now The Real Work Begins.

Lucretia Murphy of Jobs for the Future (JFF) discusses ongoing efforts to support incarcerated learners, both before and after release. This includes Ascendium’s Ready for Pell initiative, for which JFF is an intermediary partner.

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.

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

Coding Course Prepares Incarcerated Learners for Careers in Technology

For the first time, the LaunchCode Foundation graduated a cohort of incarcerated learners from its foundational coding and web development training and employment course last month. Supported by Ascendium, the course provides coding instruction for incarcerated learners nearing release. The goal of the project is to increase workforce training opportunities and improve employment outcomes for incarcerated adults while providing a pathway to further education.

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 Strengthens Education Philanthropy Team With New Hires

Ascendium’s Education Philanthropy team rang in 2022 with a pair of exciting new hires. Both Scott Davis, a learning and impact officer, and Amy Girardi, a senior program officer in the Remove Structural Barriers to Success focus area, bring decades of expertise in creating and facilitating systemic change.

Ready for Pell Grant Partners Announced, Ascendium Looks Forward in 2022 and More

• Ready for Pell Announces 22 New Grant Partners, Representing Diverse Postsecondary Education in Prison Programs
• Ascendium’s Education Philanthropy Looks Forward in 2022
• Competency-Based Education Field Guide Launches