News
Media ContactNew Group Looks to Redefine Rural Higher Education Policy
The Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges (ARRC) unveiled a new mapping tool that identifies rural-serving postsecondary institutions. ARRC researchers believe policymakers can use this resource to better understand rural postsecondary education.
150 Colleges Eligible for 2023 Aspen Prize
The Aspen Institute has announced that 150 community colleges are eligible to compete for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Ascendium’s support for the Aspen Prize aligns with our mission to elevate opportunity for learners from low-income backgrounds and acknowledges the critical role community and technical colleges play in providing pathways to academic and career success.
CivicLab Receives $750,000 Grant
A recent grant from Ascendium to CivicLab is making a new education and workforce initiative possible. Through the initiative, several rural community collaboratives will receive funding and technical assistance to strengthen postsecondary education and workforce development systems.
Colleges’ Changing Roles in Rural Communities
Rural community colleges are being recognized by Education Design Lab for un-tapped potential and emerging engines of growth in their local communities. Education Design Lab recently received funding from Ascendium to complete a three-year design challenge to develop and pilot transformative new programs for rural learners from low-income backgrounds and their communities.
Remote and Rural
The Foundation for Maine's Community Colleges, supported by Ascendium, is providing rural Maine students with a free training program on remote work. As industries move towards increasing remote work options, this program aims to break down barriers for learners from low-income backgrounds living in rural Maine by preparing them for and gaining access to more remote work opportunities.
Maine Community Colleges, Nonprofits Launch $1.2M Effort to Train Remote Workers
Ascendium and other co-funders are supporting Maine’s seven community colleges to provide free training for up to 700 rural learners to prepare them for remote work jobs.
San Antonio College Emerges Winner of the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence
San Antonio College won the 2021 Aspen Prize. This award, funded by Ascendium, Joyce Foundation and Siemens Foundation, honors community colleges with outstanding practices that impact and benefit learners of color and learners from low-income backgrounds.
West Virginia’s Climb
Read more about a unique initiative Ascendium is supporting that puts partnership and collaboration at its center.
For Media Resources
Download high-resolution Ascendium logos, or request an interview with a member of our team. Our media liaison ensures all press inquiries receive a quick and clear response.
Subscribe and Stay Connected
Get Ascendium news right to your inbox, from grant announcements and project spotlights to where you can find our program staff in the field.