News

The Expanding Role of Colleges in Prison Education

Last November, we supported The Chronicle of Higher Education to conduct a national survey to gauge views on postsecondary education in prison programs. The results include responses from over 750 college administrators and faculty members from both public and private institutions. A newly-published report summarizing these findings, The Expanding Role of Colleges in Prison Education, weaves stories of incarcerated learners together with survey data showing overwhelming support by respondents for postsecondary education in prison programs.

Ascendium Grant Will Help Close Equity Gaps

Ascendium has awarded a grant from its $10 million Maintain Momentum for Student Success Initiative to the Wisconsin Technical College System to continue its reform efforts and keep each technical college engaged.

Roundtable Explores the Potential Impact of Pell Grant Restoration for Incarcerated Students

A 26-year ban on Pell Grants for incarcerated learners has been lifted. A recently convened panel discussed the impact of ending the ban for incarcerated learners.

Introducing Tackling Transfer

As the COVID-19 pandemic changes the landscape of higher education, a new set of opportunities is presented here for bold improvement that levels the playing field for community college students hoping to earn at least a four-year degree.

Supporting What Works: Building Evidence on the Community College Baccalaureate

Community college baccalaureates have grown over the past three decades. A new research project will focus on how these degrees affect equity and access in baccalaureate attainment and connections to the labor market.

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.

New Grants Awarded, Pell Grant Ban for Incarcerated Learners Lifted and Several New Key Resources Published

• Ascendium Invests $16.2 Million in Degree Persistence, Health Pathways, Digital Career Growth
• Groundbreaking New National Directory of Higher Education in Prison Programs Released
• Additional Maintain Momentum Grants Benefit Organizations Serving Learners from Low-Income Backgrounds

Additional Maintain Momentum Grants Benefit Organizations Serving Learners from Low-Income Backgrounds

Two more organizations recently received grants from Ascendium’s $10 million Maintain Momentum for Student Success Initiative and two previous grantees share how the funds have helped them stay engaged with their members amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Groundbreaking New National Directory of Higher Education in Prison Programs Released

The newly released National Directory of Higher Education in Prison Programs from the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison provides the most up-to-date, comprehensive and descriptive overview of postsecondary education in prison programs in the U.S. Learn more about this Ascendium-funded directory.

Ban Lifted on Pell Grants for Incarcerated Learners

In December 2020, the 26-year-old ban on Pell Grants for incarcerated learners was lifted. Learn more about this major victory and what it means for postsecondary education in prison.