Sharing knowledge is at the heart of our mission. Explore Ascendium’s growing library of publications that examine the complex challenges facing postsecondary learners, and how we’re helping our partners address them.
2023 Education Philanthropy Report: From Learning to Action
April 2024
Our 2023 report reflects on our continued efforts to build evidence and share actionable insights through our grantmaking. Inside, you’ll read how our philanthropy catalyzes change to postsecondary education and workforce training systems so more learners from low-income backgrounds can achieve their goals. You’ll also get insights into the upcoming year.
This case study highlights the efforts of Delta Compass, a workforce collaborative addressing current and future labor needs in a rural region of the U.S. They are an example of an organization that is responsive to local employment needs, working together with employers and the community college system to fill jobs in healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
This case study details the recent activities of Upskill NWA. Primarily focused on healthcare professions, Upskill NWA provides comprehensive, individualized support to help learners complete requirements and secure employment. By working with area colleges and universities, the efforts of Upskill NWA are an example of how community-based stakeholders can collaborate to meet local workforce needs.
This case study spotlights People Inc. of Virginia. The organization provides a wide range of services that help advance workforce opportunities in rural America, including work-based learning and on-the-job training. Because they collaborate with employers and community organizations, their work is a good example of what can be accomplished through rural partnerships.
Community College Bachelor’s Degrees in Texas: A First Look at Enrollment and Outcomes
March 2024
Community college baccalaureate programs are growing in Texas as they have the potential to offer more streamlined paths for learners to credentials that lead to good jobs. This brief offers policymakers and practitioners more information on who enrolls in these programs and what happens to graduates in the labor market so they can understand how these degrees can serve learners from low-income backgrounds.
Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University
Small Towns, Big Opportunities
February 2024
This report provides a nuanced look at the status of educational attainment and employment in rural areas, finding that rural workers today are as likely as those in urban areas to hold a good job — one that pays a living wage for their region. But the report also shows that racial and gender disparities exist in who gets access to those jobs, even as rural areas grow more diverse. As rural economies shift and populations continue to decline and evolve, these communities need greater investment in education and workforce training to ensure future economic vitality.
Leveraging Apprenticeships to Bolster the Rural Talent Pipeline: Part 2
November 2023
In the second episode of their two-part conversation with Reach University Chancellor Mallory Dwinal-Palisch, Future U podcast hosts Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn consider the teacher apprenticeship model’s potential for scaling to other public sector jobs. As part of their analysis, they discuss how this model addresses staffing shortages through job-embedded learning.
Leveraging Apprenticeships to Bolster the Rural Talent Pipeline: Part 1
November 2023
In the first episode of their two-part conversation with Reach University Chancellor Mallory Dwinal-Palisch, Future U. podcast hosts Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn learn about Reach’s apprenticeship approach to teacher education. Focusing on Reach’s foundation, theory, and practice, they discuss how it addresses rural workers’ lack of access to affordable training pathways leading to high-quality jobs.
Project Profile: Family-Friendly Tribal and Rural Campuses
July 2023
A project of the Building Evidence to Increase Rural Learner Success initiative, the Urban Institute, in partnership with The American Indian College Fund, generates insights from tribal colleges and universities about how to best serve learners with child caregiving responsibilities. With these insights, an update will be made to a widely used toolkit that supports parenting and caregiving learners on rural campuses.
Project Profile: Expanding College Access for Rural and Underserved People in Georgia
July 2023
A project of the Building Evidence to Increase Rural Learner Success initiative, Georgia State University examines the impact and importance of e-Campus, a distance learning initiative, on rural learners, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. Evidence will be generated on how the initiative enhances equity and how other institutions can make their student success initiatives more equitable.
Project Profile: Mapping Effective Mentorship for Rural Community College Students
July 2023
A project of the Building Evidence to Increase Rural Learner Success initiative, the University of Washington’s Community College Research Initiatives addresses the gap in knowledge regarding rural-serving community colleges and mentorship strategies to support rural learners across the nation. A database of mentoring strategies at rural community colleges will be created to advance the understanding of the way to implement evidence-based solutions for mentoring.
Project Profile: Surfacing the Needs of Paraeducators Enrolled in Rural Teacher Preparation Programs
July 2023
A project of the Building Evidence to Increase Rural Learner Success initiative, Western Illinois University examines Paraeducator Teacher Education Option (PTEO) programs. PTEO programs are an alternate pathway to a teaching credential and to the teaching workforce serving rural learners from low-income backgrounds. Stakeholders in rural school districts that employ paraeducators will benefit from the action-oriented research generated.