Strada collaborates with students, policymakers, educators, and employers across the U.S. to strengthen the link between education and opportunity.
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We prioritize policies, practices, and programs that help ensure postsecondary education provides equitable pathways to opportunity.
We advance our mission through research, grantmaking, social impact investments, public policy solutions, Strada-supported nonprofit organizations, and strategic initiatives.
Strada’s mission-aligned investments support and advance our work to strengthen the connections between education and career. Strada invests in carefully selected organizations and funds that have the potential to create systemic change on behalf of students, job-seekers and employers.
The Strada Difference
While financial return is an important aspect of any investment decision, Strada’s approach also emphasizes mission impact. We believe that by supporting companies engaged in education and career planning, student success, and workforce transitions, we will expand the pipeline of diverse talent to meet the needs of a changing economy.
Our work includes direct and indirect investment in and acquisition of mission-aligned organizations pursuing innovative education and human capital development solutions. Strada typically seeks to invest in more established entities with a demonstrated record of effectiveness and market acceptance. Through our Strada Education Innovation Fund, we also explore opportunities in early-stage organizations focused on solutions to prepare Americans for the future of learning and work.
“Strada’s deep roots in education have created unique opportunities, from collaborations with their affiliates to strategic co-marketing. They have been a key partner in helping us grow our team and scale our impact on students and institutions.”
David Kozhuk | CEO and Founder, UCONNECT
“To successfully build and scale education-to-employment pathways for more than 100 million working, low-wage adults requires not just passion but painstaking follow-through. Strada has followed through for Cell-Ed. They’ve amplified our future of work message with key audiences, recently helping us secure a high-profile speaking opportunity that led to quality leads. We prize how their authenticity and active engagement aids Cell-Ed in executing on our growth plan.”
Jessica Rothenberg-Aalami | CEO and Founder, CELL-ED
Meet the Team
Report indicates both success and need for improvement in meeting students’ varied goals
Veteran education policy advocate brings extensive federal experience to shape policy solutions that strengthen pathways to opportunity
A new and improved Free Application for Federal Student Aid expected late this year should provide opportunities for more students and their families to access money to pay for college. Yet the transition to this new form presents unprecedented challenges for those who work to help students complete it.
To better understand the value community colleges provide to individuals and communities, we need to acknowledge the range of needs they serve.
According to new Strada Education Foundation research, community college attendees who complete an associate degree or successfully transfer to a four-year institution value their education at rates comparable to or higher than recent bachelor’s degree completers. However, researchers found first-generation students rated the value of their community college education about 20 percentage points lower than those who are not first-generation students.
Newly established teams will focus on collaboratively shaping policy at state, federal levels to create pathways to opportunity for more people
Eloy Ortiz Oakley, president and CEO of College Futures Foundation and former chancellor of the California Community Colleges, will join a Strada Education Foundation webinar Sept. 7, when he and other panelists will explore Strada’s latest report, “The Value of Community Colleges: Recent Students’ Motivations and Outcomes,” which captures several factors that motivated recent alumni to enroll in community college.
Major changes in the form, combined with an expected delay in its release, are combining to intensify the work of spreading the word about the updated FAFSA.
Initiative designed to support aspiring leaders at HBCUs through scholarships, work-based learning opportunities, expands to 50 schools
Veteran higher ed leader will provide collaborative leadership to help Strada strengthen the link between education and opportunity in America
A wide range of experiences prepare students for success beyond the completion of their college degree. The evidence for the value of interning on students’ future careers is strong.
The recognition, awarded to Strada plus all four supported nonprofit organizations that make up Strada Collaborative — CAEL, Education at Work, InsideTrack, and Roadtrip Nation — signals a continued prioritization of DEI efforts.
Longtime senior leader to assume role permanently after leading Strada’s financial operations through leadership, strategy transition as interim CFO
In an era of student enrollment declines, tight labor markets, rising college costs, and a growing lack of confidence in the value of a postsecondary education, community colleges and employers have ample reasons to partner together.
Partnerships between community colleges and employers have the opportunity to address local and regional economic needs through a range of tools, including supporting student success through resources and services, integrating work-based learning, and building career pathways.
Strada Education Foundation supports programs, policies, and organizations that strengthen connections between postsecondary education and opportunity in the U.S., with a focus on helping people who face the greatest challenges.
We work to ensure education delivers better results for all students.
Providing access to postsecondary education isn’t enough. Neither is ensuring students complete it.
We build relationships with partners that share our vision for helping students realize the full value of education.
Research, grant-making, investments in promising solutions, and advocating for better state and federal policies — these are the ways we work to improve postsecondary education.
Together with policymakers and our partners, we will craft and advocate for policy solutions for postsecondary education.
We direct our efforts at five priorities that will improve the benefits students gain from postsecondary education.
Accurate information on employment outcomes should be available for all postsecondary education programs.
Every individual considering or pursuing postsecondary education can benefit from high-quality coaching.
Education after high school should be accessible to any student willing to invest the time and effort to pursue it.
All students should have the opportunity to benefit from quality work-based learning experiences, including internships and apprenticeships.
Policymakers and executives can partner to improve outcomes for individuals and employers.
Our Leaders Leadership Team Board of Trustees
Innovative leader brings an extensive track record of navigating through challenges to create effective education-to-employment data systems