Strada collaborates with students, policymakers, educators, and employers across the U.S. to strengthen the link between education and opportunity.
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.
We help strengthen the link between education and opportunity.
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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 advance this mission through research, grantmaking, social impact investments, public policy solutions, and Strada-supported nonprofit organizations, including CAEL, Education at Work, InsideTrack, and Roadtrip Nation.
In short, we help strengthen the link between education and opportunity.
Our North Star, adopted unanimously by our Board of Trustees in 2022, is to collaborate with learners, educators, employers, and policymakers across the U.S. to bring to life a postsecondary education and training ecosystem that provides equitable pathways to opportunity.
We embrace the multiple important purposes of postsecondary education, including strengthening communication and critical thinking skills, preparing individuals for responsible citizenship, expanding intellectual interests, and helping people to navigate an increasingly diverse and global society.
We recognize that preparation for meaningful work is just one of the multiple purposes of higher education, yet it is also one of the most important reasons individuals cite for pursuing some form of education after high school. Without the opportunity for meaningful work and economic security, other benefits of education are unlikely to be fully realized.
Headquartered in Indianapolis since our predecessor organization, USA Funds, was first established in 1960 to expand access to higher education in the U.S., Strada has focused on strengthening the link between education and opportunity (i.e., success beyond completion of a degree or other postsecondary credential) for the last decade.
Several principles guide our work. We prioritize efforts that benefit individuals pursuing postsecondary education or training in the U.S. We place a primary focus on helping people who have faced the greatest challenges accessing postsecondary education and/or economic opportunity (e.g., low-income individuals, people of color, first-generation students). We focus most of our efforts on ecosystem-scale changes that can benefit large numbers of individuals, with a secondary focus on direct impact efforts. We are sector agnostic, working with both traditional higher education institutions and quality alternative providers. Finally, we work to cultivate public policy solutions with the potential for bipartisan support.
As we look toward the future, we will continue to collaborate with students, educators, employers, policymakers, and other partners to help create more equitable pathways to prosperity in the U.S.
At Strada, we work with our partners — students, policymakers, educators, and employers across the U.S. — to ensure learning after high school provides equitable pathways to opportunity.
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We build relationships with educational institutions, workforce development organizations, employers, innovative startups, membership associations, and other funders.
Our team includes experts in higher education, philanthropy, research, workforce development, economic development, public policy, and impact investing. We work together to strengthen the link between education and opportunity.
Innovative leader brings an extensive track record of navigating through challenges to create effective education-to-employment data systems
Seasoned postsecondary education policy leader to oversee nonprofit organization’s advocacy work with state and federal policymaker
Three-year grants awarded to four institutions will support expansion of programs designed to help learners succeed during and after completion of their degree or credential. These programs deploy a broad range of strategies from new technology solutions to embedded, industry-recognized credentials, which will be made available to thousands of new learners through these grants.
Veteran corporate leader brings diverse range of experience to guide Strada’s legal team and serve organization’s Board of Trustees
Two-year grants will support proven partnerships that connect learners to education and in-demand employment opportunities and strengthen regional economies.
A rich mixture of skills gained in college improves post-completion outcomes for graduates
At a time of growing societal uncertainty about the value of higher education and declining enrollment, the views of alumni turn out to be particularly insightful. This group can provide especially valuable feedback about how their education experiences have enriched their lives, which can help us ensure that today’s students maximize all the benefits that college offers.
The list of benefits associated with earning a college degree is extensive and oft-repeated. It includes higher average lifetime earnings, employment security, greater self-esteem, and better health, among many others.
National Workforce Development Leader to Head Social Impact Organization’s Strategy and Innovation Team
A 12-week internship for individuals who are bold, curious, motivated team players — and passionate about advancing equity.
Amid all of this disruption, the number of U.S. workers leaving or changing their jobs sharply increased. Known variously as the Great Resignation, Reshuffle, or Realignment, the trend has been cast in the cultural imagination as a collective desire on the part of the American workforce for more rewarding or meaningful work.
New Study from Strada Education Network Reveals a Silver Lining at a Challenging Time
Delaware State sophomore accounting major eyes and a different career path after viewing a wealth of options.
Sophomore engineering ‘rock star’ learns to become a leader while following in the HBCU grad footsteps of his parents and brother.
As a natural leader, student embraces opportunities to work in her field and build campus community
With a passion for writing and teaching, student seeks ways to teach while she’s still learning