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New Group Looks to Redefine Rural Higher Education Policy
The Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges (ARRC) unveiled a new mapping tool that identifies rural-serving postsecondary institutions. ARRC researchers believe policymakers can use this resource to better understand rural postsecondary education.
Ascendium Gifts Foster Better Lives Through Education in 2021
Ascendium employees give back to the communities in which they live and work through our employee giving program, Ascendium Cares.
UW System Developing Bachelors Degree Program in WI Prisons
The University of Wisconsin System, in partnership with the State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections, is preparing to launch their Prison Education Initiative to offer baccalaureate degrees, competency-based degrees, certificate programs and stackable credentials to incarcerated adults across Wisconsin. Ascendium is helping fund the development of the curriculum and infrastructure for the Prison Education Initiative pilot program so incarcerated adults can have equitable access to high-quality postsecondary education and remove barriers to academic and career success.
The First-Gen 'Gap That Still Exists'
The Chronicle of Higher Education, with support from Ascendium, is launching a yearlong effort on student success to explore common challenges and look at new approaches through a series of virtual forums, written reports and an online resource center. To kick-off this effort, this article gives institutions advice focusing on first-generation students’ success. Topics include: normalizing the use of support services, employing peer leaders and creating a sense of community for first-generation students.
150 Colleges Eligible for 2023 Aspen Prize
The Aspen Institute has announced that 150 community colleges are eligible to compete for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Ascendium’s support for the Aspen Prize aligns with our mission to elevate opportunity for learners from low-income backgrounds and acknowledges the critical role community and technical colleges play in providing pathways to academic and career success.
Grant To Help Three Regional Networks Develop Equity-Centered Student Success Programs
With Ascendium’s support, Complete College America will work with three regions across the alliance to implement student success reforms. The goal is to close gaps in higher education outcomes between learners with differing racial and economic backgrounds.
Ascendium Announces Ready for Pell, a $4.7M Strategic Initiative for Postsecondary Education in Prison
Ascendium Education Group is announcing Ready for Pell, a two-year, $4.7 million strategic initiative to strengthen postsecondary education in prison programs ahead of the restoration of Pell Grants in 2023-24 for learners who are incarcerated.
CivicLab Receives $750,000 Grant
A recent grant from Ascendium to CivicLab is making a new education and workforce initiative possible. Through the initiative, several rural community collaboratives will receive funding and technical assistance to strengthen postsecondary education and workforce development systems.
New Report: College Transfers Plunged Last Year, But Highly Selective Institutions Saw Gains
Ascendium and ECMC Foundation funded the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s COVID-19 Transfer, Mobility and Progress Report series to provide institutions and researchers with near real-time data on how the COVID-19 health crisis is impacting transfer students. This is the year-end report and analysis for the 2020-2021 academic year.
The Turning Point
Educational offerings within correctional institutions not only impact incarcerated learners, but also workforce systems and communities. With grant funding from Ascendium, the Iowa Department of Education continues to study barriers and pathways to postsecondary education for incarcerated learners.
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