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EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY DIVISION OF ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP

Streamline Key Learner Transitions

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

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How We See the Problem

Leveraging workforce training systems, 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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Ascendium's Approach

An investment priority to...

Explore diverse pathways to technical education and workforce training

Means we support...

  • Identifying, validating and scaling high-quality career and technical credentials, training and certificates
  • Promoting collaboration between postsecondary education systems and non-degree credential providers

Which will lead to...

  • Learners understanding the credentialing landscape and viable pathways to careers
  • Learners earning career and technical credentials that enhance their readiness and access to employment, sustainable career pathways and additional postsecondary education
  • The traditional academy recognizing high-quality workforce training and technical credentials, resulting in accessible and equitable pathways to careers

An investment priority to...

Ease transitions between, and returning to, postsecondary providers

Means we support...

  • Identifying and scaling high-quality prior learning assessment policies and practices that provide equitable on-ramps to postsecondary education
  • Improving alignment and application of transfer/reverse transfer policy and practice, and supporting infrastructure collaboration for new transfer pathways at system, state and regional levels
  • Diversifying reengagement strategies

Which will lead to...

  • “Potential completers” with some college/no degree re-enrolling to complete a degree or high-quality credential that leads to meaningful employment
  • Learners accumulating and transferring credits into a program of study that leads to a timely degree or credential without excess credits

An investment priority to...

Smooth transitions between postsecondary education and the workforce

Means we support...

  • Promoting postsecondary alignment and collaboration with workforce and economic development
  • Expanding data infrastructure and information sharing between postsecondary education providers and the workforce
  • Scaling effective institutional policies and practices that ensure learners are prepared for workforce transition

Which will lead to...

  • Postsecondary and workforce systems sharing data to provide learners with relevant education that meets economic and workforce needs and learners’ goals
  • Institutions demonstrating commitment to career development and readiness

Grants to Streamline Key Learner Transitions

To learn about our approach to grantmaking (Exploration, Validation, Scaling), visit our How We Fund page.

2015-2018 Career Ready Internship Grant

Scaling
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point|$381,225|10/2015 - 5/2018
This grant supports 33 four-year colleges in Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin to collaborate with businesses and nonprofit organizations to offer paid internships to juniors and seniors who demonstrate financial need.

2015-2018 Career Ready Internship Grant

Scaling
Heidelberg University|$261,756|10/2015 - 5/2018
This grant supports 33 four-year colleges in Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin to collaborate with businesses and nonprofit organizations to offer paid internships to juniors and seniors who demonstrate financial need.

2015-2018 Career Ready Internship Grant

Scaling
Viterbo University|$441,758|10/2015 - 5/2018
This grant supports 33 four-year colleges in Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin to collaborate with businesses and nonprofit organizations to offer paid internships to juniors and seniors who demonstrate financial need.

Summer Melt Texting

Exploration
Madison Metropolitan School District|$17,000|4/2017 - 4/2018
This grant supports three Wisconsin public school districts in launching summer melt text nudging to help increase on-time college enrollment rates.

Tools of the Trade Apprentice Scholarship

Scaling
Wisconsin Technical College System|$271,500|8/2017 - 3/2018
This grant supports $1,000 scholarships awarded to up to 180 construction and industrial trade apprentices attending a Wisconsin Technical College System college during spring 2018.

Summer Melt Texting

Exploration
Stevens Point Area Public School District|$15,000|5/2017 - 2/2018
This grant supports three Wisconsin public school districts in launching summer melt text nudging to help increase on-time college enrollment rates.

Tools of the Trade Apprentice Scholarship - Ohio

Scaling
Ohio Department of Job & Family Services|$200,000|12/2016 - 12/2017
This grant supports $1,000 scholarships awarded to up to 200 construction and industrial trade apprentices attending an institution in the university system of Ohio during spring 2017.
View All Ascendium Grants

Latest News

December 21, 2020

Colleges See Steep Decline In Student Transfers During Pandemic

The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s second COVID-19 Transfer, Mobility, and Progress Report reveals a steep decline in student transfer and mobility this fall.

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December 15, 2020

New Postsecondary Education in Prison Resources, Welcome Bethany Miller and Our 2020 Support of Our Community

  • Best Practices for Postsecondary Education in Prison Programs Released by Vera Institute of Justice
  • COVID-19 Crisis and Transfer: What Institutions, Systems and States Can Do Today
  • Bethany Miller Joins the Education Grantmaking Team
Read More
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Resources

COVID-19 TRANSFER, MOBILITY, AND PROGRESS Fall 2020 Final Report

As the second in the series, this follow-up report updates the results from the COVID-19 Transfer, Mobility and Progress First Look Fall 2020 report that depicted student mobility as of September 24, 2020. As the fall semester is nearing its end, with more colleges reporting as of November 19, 2020, this report provides a more complete picture of the fall 2020 student transfer patterns that are attributable to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Beyond Articulation Agreements: Five Student-Centered Principles to Improve Transfer

The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing millions of students to reconsider their educational plans, a development that’s likely to increase the number of students transferring among institutions in the years ahead. This Ascendium-sponsored report examines new approaches colleges can use with articulation agreements to improve transfer practice and policy.

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View All Resources for this Focus Area

Carolynn
Lee

Program Officer,
Streamline Key Learner Transitions

Maryann
Rainey

Program Officer,
Streamline Key Learner Transitions

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