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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
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

September 17, 2020

New Grants, New Report on Postsecondary Education in Prison Metrics, Strong Start to Finish

  • New Grants Support a Spectrum of Student Success Initiatives
  • IHEP Releases Groundbreaking KPI Framework Report
  • Strong Start To Finish Shows Early Promising Results: Case Studies
Read More
August 20, 2020

Transfer Research Funding, Text Steps, New Resources and Recent Grants

  • COVID-19’s Effect on Transfer: Toward a Clearer Picture
  • Districts Take Next Steps After Text Steps
  • New Resources
Read More
View All News for this Focus Area

Resources

Streamline Key Learner Transitions

This overview of one of Ascendium’s funding focus area explores Ascendium’s investment priorities for streamlining diverse pathways into and through postsecondary education and learner transitions into the workforce, and the desired outcomes of that support.

View the PDF

About Ascendium Education Philanthropy

This overview of Ascendium's education philanthropy details our strategic approach to philanthropy: how, where and what we fund, our four focus areas and our belief in the power of education for upward social mobility.

View the PDF
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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