What We're Learning

Insightful resources to help leaders drive progress on key priorities.

The National Rural Postsecondary Research Agenda Drives Toward More Equitable Outcomes in Rural America

Ascendium’s elevation of rural postsecondary education and workforce training issues fill a critical gap in the field of higher education reform. This important project is part of a larger effort led by Ascendium to ensure greater attention and resources are directed to improving the outcomes of low-income, rural learners in service of healthier communities and a stronger, more prosperous nation.

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Ascendium Education Group Launches a National Postsecondary Rural Research Agenda

Ascendium’s elevation of rural postsecondary education and workforce training issues fill a critical gap in the field of higher education reform. This important project is part of a larger effort led by Ascendium to ensure greater attention and resources are directed to improving the outcomes of low-income, rural learners in service of healthier communities and a stronger, more prosperous nation.

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In the News: New Op-Ed Released as Part of Tackling Transfer Initiative

For colleges and universities to fully foster social mobility and develop America’s talent, successful transfer is critical, especially for the more than 8.7 million students enrolled nationally in community colleges. The Tackling Transfer Policy Advisory Board will challenge the status quo and make strong and clear recommendations for state transfer policy that will lead to equitable transfer student outcomes. This is the first in a series of forthcoming publications produced by Tackling Transfer board members that will examine the state policy conditions needed to drive scaled and measurable improvements for transfer students.

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In the News: It’s time to fix the broken higher education transfer pipeline

Just 13 percent of students who enter community college earn a degree within six years, even though 80 percent indicate that that’s their goal. This leaky transfer pipeline has many holes that can and must be addressed. Tackling Transfer Policy Advisory Board members recommend state and higher education leaders take the following steps to address systemic barriers that keep too many community college transfer students from completing degrees that lead to successful careers.

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In the News: As Higher Education Faces a “Corona Swirl” of Transfer Students, Higher Education Must Create Clear Pathways to Degrees

Recent surveys show that a growing number of high school graduates and college students are opting to attend community colleges this fall because they are affordable and closer to home. Those who lost jobs in the post-COVID economy are also turning to community colleges to gain and sharpen skills that lead back to jobs. The combination is creating an unprecedented level of student movement between two- and four-year colleges. There’s even a name for it in higher education circles – the “corona swirl.”

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Sova Stands in Support of Racial Justice

Sova raises its voice in solidarity with the Black community, non-Black people of color, and white allies who are peacefully protesting the direct actions and underlying systemic injustices that led to the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Oscar Grant, Akai Gurley, Philando Castile, and countless other unarmed black men, women, and youth.

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Sova Reflections During the Crisis

As our country manages the early days of the COVID-crisis, higher education institutions across the country are rallying to meet the needs of their students. In support of those working tirelessly on behalf of their students during this critical time and with the hope that sharing our learnings will help ease the inevitable anxieties that come in times of uncertainty, we offer the following reflections.

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George Mehaffy Joins Sova

A conversation between George Mehaffy and Alison Kadlec about the world and the work it needs.As Sova welcomes George Mehaffy to the team, we wanted to share more than a formal announcement – we wanted to find a way to give color and texture to the partnership. Over…

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