Ascendium‐Sponsored Practitioner Fellowships
Scaling
This grant supports the Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness in connecting educational researchers with philanthropic organizations to advance high-quality education research.
Rural Perspective and Opinions on Work, Education and Place
Validation
This grant supports Education Commission of the States in better understanding rural residents’ perceptions of the value of education, barriers to entry or completion, connections to work and general satisfaction with prior education and training experiences, leveraging insights for state policy audiences.
Tackling Transfer Phase II
Scaling
This grant supports the Aspen Institute in helping three states—Minnesota, Texas and Virginia—adopt transfer reforms to promote bachelor’s degree attainment among students who begin at community colleges. This project will also produce learnings about the conditions and strategies for replicating or adapting comprehensive transfer reforms in other states.
Optimizing Delivery Systems for Higher Education in Prison
Exploration
This grant supports the Iowa Department of Education, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Corrections, Iowa Central Community College, Des Moines Area Community College and the University of Iowa, in developing a plan for expanded postsecondary education options across Iowa that are workforce-relevant and support varied academic and career pathways.
Digital Learning Task Force and Policy Recommendations
Scaling
This grant supports the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association in developing an understanding of the nationwide shift to remote teaching and learning, what is working and what isn’t - particularly for marginalized students - and using the information to make policy recommendations to both reduce inequitable impacts of online learning and promote quality.
Rural Community College COVID Response and Guided Pathways Planning Grant
Exploration
This grant supports the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement in creating a Rural Community College Leader Learning Community to help leaders address the effects of COVID-19. This project will generate a set of "What Comes Next" briefs highlighting how rural institutions can overcome challenges and remain student-centered in the aftermath of COVID-19, and set the foundation for a subsequent creation of a guided pathways cohort model for rural institutions.
Accelerating Recovery through Credentials
Scaling
This grant supports Education Strategy Group in developing and deploying a targeted, action-oriented framework for postsecondary institutional leaders and state policymakers to position higher education as a hub for reskilling adults in response to the current economic upheaval. The Accelerating Reskilling through Credentials tools will include rapid response resources and a comprehensive playbook leveraged through a networked approach to dissemination.
HBCU Degree Completion Pilot
Exploration
This grant supports the Delaware State University Foundation in piloting an online college degree completion program for near-completer students in partnership with Southern New Hampshire University and Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Developing a National Rural Postsecondary Research Agenda
Validation
This grant supports Sova Solutions in facilitating the creation of a Rural Research Working Group to develop a national rural postsecondary education research agenda. The agenda will outline the key research questions for the field.
Text Steps Summer Melt Texting Initiative
Scaling
This grant supports National College Attainment Network in amplifying the impact and reach of Text Steps, a Wisconsin-based initiative funded by Ascendium since 2018.
