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EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY DIVISION OF ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP

Streamline Key Learner Transitions

Our philanthropy supports institutions and systems as they work to facilitate seamless transitions between educational and career opportunities after high school.

A young woman training in a server room.

How We See the Problem

Leveraging workforce training, transferring between postsecondary providers and entering or re-entering the workforce are pivotal moments in a learner’s career or academic journey. Institutions and systems can implement policies and practices that inadvertently make these transitions difficult. For example, when curricula don’t align, or information systems are incapable of sharing data effectively, students risk losing credits, momentum and money. The jump from postsecondary education into the workforce also presents challenges, especially when institutions offer programming that does not align with the skills employers need.

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Our Three Investment Priorities

Grants to Streamline Key Learner Transitions

Degrees When Due

Validation
Institute for Higher Education Policy|$618,000|1/2018 - 3/2022
This grant supports the Institute for Higher Education Policy in conducting the impact research component of the Degrees When Due initiative, a national effort to advance degree reclamation for the “some-college, no-degree” population. This research includes an examination of current degree reclamation strategies and student-level postsecondary and employment outcome data.

Implementing Competency-Based Education at Scale

Exploration
Kentucky Community and Technical College System Foundation Inc|$613,915|6/2020 - 2/2022
This grant supports the Kentucky Community and Technical College System in developing and executing an in-depth planning process to understand the system, academic and structural changes necessary for a statewide implementation of competency-based education within its general education, career and technical and workforce training programs.

Evaluation of Veterans Credentialing Pilot Initiative

Validation
DVP-Praxis Ltd.|$183,000|7/2020 - 2/2022
This grant supports DVP-Praxis in evaluating the Military Credentialing Advancement Initiative-Pathways Project, an initiative of Lumina Foundation. The Pathways Project will support the creation of new pathways between military occupational competencies and high-quality civilian credentials, and the formative evaluation will highlight learnings from the pilot sites to inform the field and encourage broader recognition of military training and experience.

Next Generation Sector Partnerships National Benchmarking & Rural Affinity Group

Validation
Next Gen Sector Partnerships|$379,375|1/2020 - 2/2022
This grant supports Next Gen Sector Partnerships in creating a formal analysis of the impact of the more than 80 Next Gen Sector Partnerships currently operating nationwide. The analysis will inform the codification of best practices and the development of training materials for use in the expansion of rural public and private partner networks working toward regional vitality and expanded opportunity.

The Future of Associates Degree for Transfer in LA

Exploration
UNITE-LA Inc|$115,400|12/2020 - 1/2022
This grant supports UNITE-LA in convening Los Angeles Community College District and California State University leaders in a focused, facilitated planning process to craft action plans to improve the effectiveness of Associates Degree for Transfer pathways for low-income students in the region.
View All Ascendium Grants