News
Media ContactIntroducing 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
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
Strategic Media Partnerships Amplify Solutions to Rural Learners’ Challenges
Three recent Ascendium grants support media organizations whose work makes a national impact in rural postsecondary education and workforce training systems. These organizations' reporting is critical to increase public understanding of issues affecting rural learners from low-income backgrounds, amplify rural learners’ voices, and share promising solutions through national media outlets and networks.
Keith Witham Reflects on His First Six Months as Vice President of Education Philanthropy
Halfway through his first year as Vice President of Education Philanthropy, Keith Witham provides an overview of the past six months of Ascendium’s grantmaking. He also looks ahead, reaffirming Ascendium’s commitment to transforming the lives of learners from low-income backgrounds through postsecondary education and workforce training.
Q&A with UIA’s Bridget Burns, Improving Learner Outcomes with Updated CUNY Transfer Explorer, and More
- Q&A: UIA’s Bridget Burns on Helping Struggling Students Get Back on Track (Part 1)
- Updated Tool Saves Time and Money to Improve Learner Outcomes
- Helping Learners See a Clearer Path: Awareness Continues to Build Around Guided Pathways Framework
Helping Learners See a Clearer Path: Awareness Continues to Build Around Guided Pathways Framework
The guided pathways framework is a whole-college redesign of the student experience that helps learners explore, choose, plan, and complete programs aligned with their education and career goals. It can be especially helpful to learners from low-income backgrounds as it more clearly outlines their program with considerations to efficiency and affordability. As leaders in developing, evaluating, and implementing the guided pathways framework, Community College Research Center (CCRC) continues to build awareness of this targeted reform strategy.
Evolving Our Team to Better Meet the Needs of Learners, We’re Hiring, and More
- Changes in Education Philanthropy Support Evolving Needs of Learners from Low-Income Backgrounds
- New Initiatives Aim to Cut Early Student Dropouts by Increasing Connection
- Why Supporting Financial Aid Administrators Is Key to Unlocking Opportunities for Incarcerated Learners
Changes in Education Philanthropy Support Evolving Needs of Learners from Low-Income Backgrounds
Ascendium’s Education Philanthropy is adapting our organizational structure to meet the current and future needs of learners from low-income backgrounds. The promotion of two internal leaders to key positions will enhance our grantmaking strategy, tools, and partnerships. We are also hiring a deputy director of education grantmaking to oversee strategic grantmaking pipelines in one or more philanthropic focus areas.
Support for Evidence-Based Workforce Training Models, New Projects to Help English-Language Learners, and More
- Targeted Investments Support Expansion of Evidence-Based Workforce Training Models
- New Projects Examine Barriers for English-Language Learners
- Recent Resources Show the Value of Good Workforce Training Programs
For Media Resources
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