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Partnerships Selected for Equity Transfer Initiative
Sixteen partnerships from 13 states representing 17 community colleges and 19 universities will participate in the Equity Transfer Initiative. This initiative aims to increase transfer rates for African-American, Hispanic, adult and first-generation learners through transfer coaching support.
Their Stories Helped Lift a 26-Year Ban on Pell Grants for Prisoners
In December 2020, Congress lifted a 26-year ban on federal Pell Grants for incarcerated learners. The benefits of postsecondary education in prison extend far beyond recidivism, with positive ripple effects on families and communities, as well as individual learners. These are some of the stories that helped lift the ban.
Colleges See Steep Decline In Student Transfers During Pandemic
The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s second COVID-19 Transfer, Mobility, and Progress Report reveals a steep decline in student transfer and mobility this fall.
Kentucky College System Mounts Effort to Close Gap Between Education and Work
With support from Ascendium, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Foundation is launching a yearlong planning project to research what it would take to implement a competency-based education platform at scale within its general education, career, technical and workforce training programs.
Ascendium Education Group, Employees Step Up Community Support
2020 was an extraordinary year that brought big challenges for the Madison-area community across both racial justice issues and the cornonavirus pandemic. While Ascendium Education Group’s philanthropic mission as a national funder focuses on the power of education and training beyond high school to transform the lives learners from low-income backgrounds, we recognize the importance of flexibility and responsiveness in times of crisis and needs in the community in which the majority of our employees live and work. This is why we have stepped up to meet these extraordinary needs with more than $440,000 in support for our community.
Grant Explores How to Take Competency-Based Education to a System Level
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System Foundation is launching a yearlong planning project to research what it would take to implement a competency-based education platform at scale within its general education, career, technical and workforce training programs. Ascendium’s investment of $614,000 supports the project under our grantmaking focus area Streamline Key Learner Transitions.
The Edge: The Election Results Spell Bad News for Higher-Ed Innovation When It’s Needed Most
Senior writer Goldie Blumenstyk from The Chronicle of Higher Education interviews thought leaders in the postsecondary education space to ask what the 2020 presidential elections might mean for innovation in the higher education space, and what changes are now more vital or likely. Ascendium VP-Education Philanthropy Amy Kerwin weighs in.
Why Equity in Transfer and Why Now?
Data clearly show equity gaps in student transfer rates. This fact, coupled with the national spotlight on systemic racism, has prompted the launch of the Equity Transfer Initiative, a two-year project funded by Ascendium Education Group and ECMC Foundation. The overall goal of the project is to ensure total alignment of at least five programs between two- and four-year institutions that lead to employment.
How the Pandemic is Affecting College Student Transfers
Ascendium and the ECMC Foundation are supporting a new research series steered by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Nine reports will be created and will provide up-to-date information about how the pandemic is affecting student success and completion rates.
Second Round of Maintain Momentum Grants Announced
New grants to the Association of American Colleges & Universities, the National College Attainment Network and the Yes We Must Coalition bring initiative totals over $4.5 million.
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