CompetencyXchange Task Force
Exploration
This grant supports the Competency Based Education Network in developing a comprehensive agenda to scale implementation of competency-based education across the nation by engaging a coalition of key stakeholders in planning.
Optimizing Delivery Systems for Higher Education in Prison
Exploration
This grant supports the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in partnership with the State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections, in preparing to launch their Prison Education Initiative to offer baccalaureate degrees, competency-based degrees, certificate programs and stackable credentials to incarcerated adults across Wisconsin.
Catalyzing Rural Community Colleges Through a Design Challenge
Exploration
This grant supports Education Design Lab in executing a three-year design challenge to develop and pilot new solutions to the question: “How might we improve the ability of rural community colleges to be a critical engine (or catalyst) of growth in their local communities?” Education Design Lab will partner with five rural community colleges to collaboratively structure, design and evaluate new programs.
Maintain Momentum: Supporting Postsecondary Education Membership Organizations and Networks
Scaling
This grant supports the Association of American Colleges and Universities and its members in continuing to advance student success reforms despite COVID‐19‐related impacts.
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Research Capacity Building Initiative
Scaling
This grant supports the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund in building the capacity of rural Pacific Island postsecondary institutions to analyze data and use collaborative research strategies to improve their policies and practices. The initiative will increase Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander student success by developing pathways that lead to workforce participation through partnerships and institutional innovation.
Future U. Podcast
Scaling
As part of Ascendium’s 2022 Strategic Media Partnerships, this grant supports Academic Intelligence’s production of the Future U. podcast series featuring interviews and stories about topics related to removing barriers to success in postsecondary education. The series will include four themed episodes under Ascendium’s direction dedicated to Ascendium’s focus areas and highlighting its grantees.
UnlockED Feature Documentary
Scaling
This grant supports Unlocked The Film LLC in creating a documentary film featuring four incarcerated learners’ journeys to create an open-source learning management system they named UnlockED.
College Promise Careers Institute & Expanding Ecosystems for Promise Student Support
Scaling
This grant supports College Promise Campaign in identifying and disseminating insights about the most effective elements of College Promise programs for supporting low-income learners in key populations, including adult students, student veterans, justice-impacted students, undocumented students, parents, first-generation students, foster care students and students with disabilities.
Reporting of Postsecondary Education
Scaling
This grant supports The Hechinger Report in exposing the challenges and elevating possible solutions to problems facing our postsecondary education system.
Maintain Momentum: Supporting Postsecondary Education Membership Organizations and Networks
Scaling
This grant supports the University Innovation Alliance and its members in continuing to advance student success reforms despite COVID‐19‐related impacts.