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Report Proposes Higher Education COVID-19 Recovery Policies
Ascendium is supporting New America and the State Higher Education Executive Officers’ year-long research project to develop a better understanding of the overall effect of the health crisis on the postsecondary education sector. This article shares how their findings are being used to make policy recommendations to ensure a robust recovery as learning transitions back to in-person.
Professional Development in a Pandemic - Part 2
Ascendium supported the University of Wisconsin System with a grant to help students increase completion of math gateway courses. This article is the second in a two-part series focusing on the experiences of mathematics instructors participating in the University of Wisconsin System Math Initiative. They share their methods of removing remote learning barriers to student success in gateway mathematics courses.
EWA Announces Summer 2021 Class of Reporting Fellows
The 12th class of Education Writers Association (EWA) Reporting Fellows has been announced. The reporting fellowship program supports education journalists and the work they do to inform the public about issues in education. It is funded in part by a grant from Ascendium.
Expanded Programming from Operation Fresh Start Prepares Dane County Youth for Careers in Construction and Conservation
Operation Fresh Start is creating a new Conservation Graduate Crew pathway, providing pre-apprentice training for young adults just starting careers in conservation work. A $250,000 grant from Ascendium will support the new pathway, as well as the existing Construction Graduate Crew pathway.
Professional Development in a Pandemic - Part 1
Ascendium supported the University of Wisconsin System with a grant to help students increase completion of math gateway courses. This article is the first in a two-part series that details the University of Wisconsin System Math Initiative’s development of instructional strategies to remove remote learning barriers to student success in gateway mathematics courses.
A Virtual Culture of Care
As part of the Caring Campus Initiative, supported by Ascendium, coaches from the Institute for Evidence-Based Change helped staff at several community colleges introduce small changes in their behavior to foster better connections with students. Supporters of the initiative believe that human connection between faculty, staff and students is the ultimate retention tool.
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.
Learning and Impact at Ascendium
In 2020, Bethany Miller joined Ascendium’s Education Philanthropy team as deputy director - learning & impact. Her role: to strengthen our strategy and operations to deliver a greater impact for learners from low-income backgrounds. Learn more about Bethany and the vision for the Learning and Impact team and how they hope to increase our philanthropy’s effectiveness and contribute to better outcomes for these learners.
To Improve Student Retention, IEBC’s Initiative Aims to Create More Caring Campuses
Ascendium is supporting the implementation and evaluation of Caring Campus, an initiative of the Institute for Evidence-Based Change that works with college staff and faculty to build a culture of connectedness to increase learner success.
Madison-Area Nonprofit JustDane to Develop Hospitality Management Training Program for Residents Impacted by Incarceration
Madison-area nonprofit JustDane is developing a hospitality management training program. Aided by a $55,000 planning grant from Ascendium, the 12-week program will provide a pathway into hotel and restaurant management and entrepreneurship for people experiencing significant barriers to employment.
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