News

Ascendium Issues Grants to Help Orgs Continue Their Ed Improvement Programs

Two organizations have received grants from Ascendium as part of its “Maintain Momentum for Student Success Initiative.” Funding will be used to help member institutions continue serving students with the greatest financial need, and provide coaching packages for community colleges and program support.

Ascendium-funded Study Will Quantify How COVID-19 Impacts Higher Ed Student Transfer Patterns in Near Real-Time

The pandemic is making transfer pathways far more challenging for students, but the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center is studying the impact and will release a new research series that specifically addresses student transfer, mobility and progress in near-real-time.

Maintain Momentum, WV Climb, Racial Justice Grants

• $10 Million Pandemic Grant Initiative Maintains Momentum for Student Success
• Collaboration is Key for West Virginia’s Climb
• Ascendium Awards $200,000 to Madison-Area Nonprofits Working for Racial Justice

Ascendium Announces $10 Million Pandemic Grant Initiative: Maintain Momentum for Student Success

Ascendium is launching a $10 million initiative to keep student success reforms moving in the COVID-19 era.

Supporting Innovation in Education Webinar Recap: Removing Structural Barriers to Postsecondary Success

The recap of a recorded webinar featuring Amy Kerwin, Ascendium Vice President – Education Philanthropy, is available for reading. Topics covered include college affordability, equity in higher education and how to break down systemic barriers to postsecondary success. The webinar is also available for viewing.

West Virginia’s Climb

Read more about a unique initiative Ascendium is supporting that puts partnership and collaboration at its center.

Commentary: Accelerating Developmental Education Reforms During the Pandemic

Christopher M. Mullin, director of the Strong Start to Finish initiative, explains how, even in difficult times, Strong Start to Finish continues to advance developmental education and support students. A significant new investment from Ascendium, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Kresge Foundation will aid in the work.

West Virginia Awarded $750,000 from Ascendium to Increase Degree Completion, Leverage Philanthropic Collaborations for Student Success

West Virginia’s Climb aims to arm 60 percent of West Virginia’s workforce with a postsecondary credential by 2030. With grants from a collaborative of funders, including Ascendium, to aid them in their goal, a group of stakeholders will work together to execute key components of the project, including statewide open educational resources and professional development for faculty advisors.

Ascendium Awards $200,000 to Madison Area Nonprofits Working for Racial Justice

Four Madison-area nonprofit organizations working to advance racial justice will receive $50,000 each from Ascendium Education Group.

Strong Start to Finish, Vera Institute for Justice, New Grants, Virtual Events

• Strong Start to Finish: Unique Pooled Funding Approach Supports Continued Developmental Education Efforts
• Vera Institute of Justice: Unlocking the Promise of Pell for Students in Prison
• Aspen Institute Puts Rural Grant to Work