News

College Math Instructors Praise Timely Training for Online Teaching

Reacting to the sudden shift to online instruction driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 300 faculty teaching entry-level math courses learned ways this summer to adapt their teaching to online delivery, thanks to grants from Ascendium and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The grants supported the Charles A. Dana Center’s ongoing work designing and piloting the National Virtual Professional Learning Series.

Vera Institute of Justice Works to Develop Guidelines and Supports for Postsecondary Education in Prison

Learn more about how one Vera Institute of Justice grant is laying the groundwork for system-wide change with FAFSA and Second Chance Pell support.

Podcasts Raise Up Leaders in Rural Places

Ascendium’s philanthropy supports work that helps build collaboration and partnership to support rural learners from enrollment to workforce entry. A series of Rural Matters podcasts explores how several leaders are working to advance college and career goals of learners in rural communities.

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.

“First Look” NSC Report Shows COVID-19 Impact on Student Transfer Muted

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s “First Look” report on the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on transfer students shows transfers from two to four-year colleges are up slightly, but an expected transfer pattern from four-year to two-year institutions has not materialized. The pandemic’s greater impact appears to be first-time and returning students deciding not to enroll this fall.

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.

Maintain Momentum Grants Top $4.5 million, Plus New Fellowships, Resources, Grants and Events

• Maintain Momentum Initiative Supports AAC&U, NCAN, Yes We Must
• Education Writers Association, Ed Trust Launch Fellowship Programs
• How-to Guide will Benefit Community College Leaders and Stakeholders

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.