News

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

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.

AAC&U Publishes Web-Based Tool For Campuses Engaged in Guided Pathways

The American Association of Colleges and Universities has developed an online tool to help campuses engaged in the guided pathways model of student success. The Teaching-Learning-Assessment Framework centers student success and equity and recommends measurable steps that faculty, staff and institutional leaders can take to address persisting gaps in student learning outcomes. Ascendium is pleased to support this and other guided pathways initiatives that encourage the adoption of evidence-based institutional and system policies and practices that drive equitable student outcomes.

Rural Isn’t Going Away: New Initiative Launches to Help Rural-Serving Community Colleges

Leaders at 10 North Carolina community colleges are participating in the Rural College Leaders Program (RCLP). RCLP is an immersive learning opportunity for rural-serving community colleges designed to close equity gaps, improve student outcomes and pave the way for greater social and economic mobility.

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

New Study Presents Compelling Evidence on the Benefits of Multiple Measures Assessments

A rigorous new study by MDRC and Community College Research Center makes a strong case for more widespread adoption of multiple measures, an approach that more accurately places incoming college students in introductory English and math classes. Better placement in these courses can lead to more timely progress to a degree, a key goal of Ascendium’s philanthropy.