News

Ascendium Releases 2023 Education Philanthropy Report, From Learning to Action

Ascendium released its 2023 Education Philanthropy Report, From Learning to Action. The report highlights our “learning while doing” approach to grantmaking.

Scaling Up: Shrinking the DFW Rate

Inspired by the success of Georgia State University’s Accelerator Academy model, 10 University Innovation Alliance member institutions are working to decrease the rate of failures or withdrawals from gateway courses and then scale promising solutions. Failures and withdrawals disproportionately impact learners from low-income backgrounds and learners of color, keeping them from progressing toward a degree.

Sectoral Training Insights, Promotions for Key Ascendium Team Members, and More

• What We Have Learned — and Still Need to Learn — About Sectoral Training Programs
• Ascendium’s Education Philanthropy Announces Strategic Promotions to Elevate Impact

Ascendium's Education Philanthropy Announces Strategic Promotions to Elevate Impact

Ascendium is pleased to announce the promotions of three internal team members. In their new roles, Deputy Director of Learning and Impact Jessa Valentine, Senior Program Officer of Strategic Engagement Amy Kuether, and Program Officer Ashley Parker will propel new and ongoing initiatives. These organizational changes signal Ascendium’s commitment to the evolving needs of learners from low-income backgrounds.

Postsecondary Education and Workforce Training Trends, Ascendium Welcomes Three Members, and More

• Postsecondary Education and Workforce Training Trends We’re Watching in 2024
• Ascendium Welcomes Three Members to Education Philanthropy Team
• Grants to Community-Based Organizations Aim to Strengthen Workforce-Aligned Training Pathways for Rural Learners

Postsecondary Education and Workforce Training Trends We’re Watching in 2024

Part of being a reflective funder is listening to our grant partners and tracking the evolving needs of learners from year to year. With 2024 underway, we’re seeing notable trends across postsecondary education, including statewide efforts to align postsecondary education and the workforce and continued concerns about the return on investment of college necessitating more flexible models of delivery. Remaining aware of these trends allows us to tailor our grantmaking for meaningful impact.

Introducing our New Deputy Director of Education Grantmaking, Ascendium Acts on Grant Partner Feedback, and More

• Introducing our New Deputy Director of Education Grantmaking, Dr. Janice Hicks
• Ascendium Acts on Grant Partner Feedback to Refine Philanthropic Practices
• New Resources Aim to Increase Understanding of CBE Program Designs

Preventing Second-Year Stop-Outs

The Gardner Institute launched its Transforming the Foundational Postsecondary Experience program to reduce equity gaps and help boost student success during the first two years of college.

Introducing our New Deputy Director of Education Grantmaking, Dr. Janice Hicks

Ascendium is pleased to welcome Dr. Janice Hicks to our Education Philanthropy team as our new deputy director of education grantmaking. Janice will support grantmaking across portfolios focused on strategies to transform postsecondary education institutions and systems to better serve learners from low-income backgrounds.

Keith Witham Reflects on the Past Six Months, Ascendium Discusses the State of Postsecondary Education in Prison, and More

• Keith Witham Reflects on His First Six Months as Vice President of Education Philanthropy
• Ascendium’s Molly Lasagna and Others Discuss the State of Postsecondary Education in Prison
• Strategic Media Partnerships Amplify Solutions to Rural Learners’ Challenges