News

Ascendium Education Group Releases 2020 Education Philanthropy Report: Empowering Possibilities

Ascendium Education Group has released its 2020 Education Philanthropy report, Empowering Possibilities. The report tells the story of Ascendium’s philanthropy during an unprecedented time and the tremendous efforts of our grant partners who were able to advance their work despite numerous challenges.

Now available! Ascendium’s 2020 Education Philanthropy Report: Empowering Possibilities

Ascendium is pleased to announce the availability of our 2020 Education Philanthropy Report, Empowering Possibilities. Our report tells the story of our philanthropy during an unprecedented time and the tremendous efforts of our grant partners, who were able to advance their work despite numerous challenges.

Initiatives Address Transfer from Different Angles

One third of all college students transfer schools on their journey to a degree, but far too few institutions and systems have adapted to this reality, leading them to lose credits, money and time. Ascendium and funding partners are supporting several ongoing initiatives to improve transfer outcomes for learners from low-income backgrounds.

Work Underway for Creation of a Rural Postsecondary Education Research Agenda

A purposeful focus on closing rural attainment gaps and advancing upward socioeconomic mobility for rural learners from low-income backgrounds is much needed in our nation. Ascendium is aiming to fill that critical gap by funding a diverse working group to create a rural postsecondary research agenda.

College Transfer Update: The Slide Continues, Especially for Community Colleges

Ascendium funded the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s COVID-19 transfer report series to provide institutions and researchers with near real-time data on how the COVID-19 health crisis is impacting transfer students.

App State Higher Education Professor Helps Create, Co-Directs Alliance for Research on Rural Colleges

Dr. Andrew Koricich leads the Alliance for Research on Rural Colleges (ARRC), a research collaborative that recently received funding from Ascendium to develop an evidence-based, field-informed definition for a “rural-serving institution.”

On the Path to Success: $375,000 in Tools of the Trade Scholarships Awarded by Ascendium Education Group

Ascendium Education Group is pleased to support 250 construction and industrial trade apprentices from 15 Wisconsin Technical Colleges this year as part of the Tools of the Trade Scholarship program. Each apprentice received $1,500 to assist with the cost of equipment, tools and clothing to keep them on the path to success.

New Fund for Institutions to Explore Student-centric Partnerships, Exploring Technology in Prison Postsecondary Education and More

• New Transformational Partnership Fund Helps Institutions Explore Student-Centric Partnerships and Collaborations
• Open Campus Media Convening and ITHAKA Project Examine Technology in Prison Postsecondary Education Programs
• Strong Start to Finish Convening Encourages Courageous, Ambitious Action

The Edge: Could These New Grants End the Taboo Over Mergers and Partnerships?

Goldie Blumenstyk analyzes the new Transformational Partnerships Fund, designed to help postsecondary institutions better serve students through the exploration of partnerships and collaborations. Ascendium is one of four organizations that have partnered to co-fund this initiative.

New Transformational Partnerships Fund Helps Institutions Explore Student-Centric Partnerships and Collaborations

The Transformational Partnership Fund will provide postsecondary institutions with support to safely and confidentially explore partnerships and collaborations that could transform the way they serve students from low-income backgrounds. Partnerships will range from mergers to shared administrative services and consolidated academic offerings. The new fund was established by ECMC Foundation and SeaChange Capital Partners, with additional founding support from Ascendium and The Kresge Foundation.