EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY DIVISION OF ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP
Ascendium’s sponsorship of a series of Rural Matters podcasts continues with two new episodes released in October. From the challenges and opportunities of rural higher education to the digital rural economy, each podcast episode covers a topic that impacts rural learners from low-income backgrounds and their communities, with invited guests providing insight on those topics.
In early October, Danielle Vetter and Kirstin Yeado, program officers for our Support Rural Postsecondary Education and Workforce Training focus area, were featured guests on Part V of the eight-part series. The focus of this episode was rural research and the important role it plays in helping to better understand and support rural learners and institutions. Also featured in this episode of Rural Matters is Emily Cole, a higher education researcher and project director with Sova, and Dr. Allen Pratt, executive director of the National Rural Education Association.
In late October, Part VI of the podcast series featured a discussion on postsecondary partnerships in rural America from Dr. Sheila Martin, vice president for economic development and community engagement at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities; Dakota Pawlicki, director of Talent Hubs at Civic Lab; and Dr. Gretchen Schmidt, a senior fellow with the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement.
Previous episodes of Ascendium-sponsored Rural Matters podcasts have featured many leaders working with and supporting rural postsecondary education and workforce training. Some of these guests include rural community college presidents, rural learners, leaders at organizations with a focus on rural and more. A complete list of Ascendium-sponsored podcasts can be found on the Rural Matters website.
“It’s been quite a landmark series of episodes on rural higher education and workforce development,” commented Michelle Rathman, host of Rural Matters. Two episodes remain of the eight-part series. These episodes will be available on the Rural Matters website before the end of the year. Stay tuned!
Ascendium’s education philanthropy grant program operates within Ascendium Education Solutions, Inc., a member company of Ascendium Education Group, Inc. & Affiliates. Ascendium Education Group has helped millions of learners pursue postsecondary education since 1967, when it was formed to help fulfill the promise of the landmark Higher Education Act of 1965. Over the years, Ascendium has grown to become not only the nation's largest federal student loan guarantor, but also one of the most active postsecondary education philanthropies.
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