Read Time
INDIANAPOLIS — Twenty-eight historically Black colleges and universities today announced the launch of an ambitious partnership with Strada Education Network, a nonprofit social impact organization dedicated to increasing individuals’ economic mobility by fostering more purposeful connections between education and work. Supported through a $25 million grant from Strada, the initiative reflects a year-long collaboration designed to listen, learn from, and support the work of HBCUs in developing the next generation of leaders.
“This initiative builds on our long-standing dedication to identifying systematic and sustainable strategies to help more Americans achieve better life outcomes for themselves, their families, and their communities through postsecondary education,” said Marshall Grigsby, Strada trustee and former HBCU president, provost, and faculty member. “Black colleges have a profound, positive influence in communities, for alumni, and students who, in turn, have the potential to make a positive difference in our society. We hope to expand this work with an even broader cohort of institutions in years to come.”
Over the past year, Strada Education Network convened an advisory council of seven current and former HBCU presidents and led conversations with dozens of institutions to identify both needs and opportunities to accelerate economic mobility for HBCU students. The resulting initiative will focus on leadership development and provide students with scholarships and financial support to defray some of the costs of participating in internships. It also will help students build their professional networks and prepare them to launch their careers or explore graduate schools. Rather than establishing a new program, the initiative was designed to augment existing programs on HBCU campuses by providing experiences that marry a student’s academic learning with career goals and leadership aspirations.
“After consistently demonstrating strong ROI and accelerated economic and social mobility outcomes for our students, the HBCU community stands together in this critical moment of opportunity,” said Tony Allen, President of Delaware State University and the incoming Chair of the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs at the White House. “Now is a time like no other to build sustainable equity in our institutions – equity that recognizes the collective talent and promise of the more than 350,000 students we graduate each year, along with the $15B in economic impact and the 134K jobs we provide to our local communities. Strada has taken the time to listen and now is helping us do something more, advancing our students by providing the leadership and capacity building needed to prepare the next generation of global citizens. That is philanthropy in action.”
This year, 28 HBCUs will join the initiative and take part in the inaugural 2021-22 Strada Scholars cohort. In future years, Strada plans to expand the initiative beyond the initial institutions to as many HBCUs as have interest in participating. Strada’s Senior Vice President of Philanthropy Daryl A. Graham and Vice President of Philanthropy Pat Roe will oversee the initiative.
“This partnership has been inclusive and collaborative from the beginning,” said Roslyn Clark Artis, president of Benedict College and member of the Strada HBCU Advisory Council. “Together, we’ve integrated feedback from nearly a third of the nation’s HBCUs in designing this student-centered program and convened a strong group of presidents to shape the relationship.”
Strada Trustees Aminta Breaux, president of Bowie State University, and Marshall Grigsby co-chair the council. Joining President Clark Artis on the Strada HBCU Advisory Council are:
“As an organization that thinks deeply about the connection between learning and economic mobility, we have long valued the impact of historically Black colleges and universities,” said Tom Dawson, interim president and CEO of Strada Education Network. “This initiative is about learning from institutions that outperform their peers when it comes to vaulting students into the top income quintile as adults. It reflects the commitment of institutional leaders who were willing to collaborate with our team over the past year to identify ways in which our resources could be deployed with intentionality in service of HBCUs in support of their mission.”
Alabama State University Albany State University Alcorn State University Benedict College Bennett College Bowie State University Central State University Chicago State University Claflin University Delaware State University Fayetteville State University Fort Valley State University Florida A&M University Harris-Stowe State University Jarvis Christian College Johnson C. Smith University Lincoln University (PA) Livingstone College Mississippi Valley State University Paul Quinn College Philander Smith College Southern University at New Orleans St. Philip’s College Texas Southern University University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Wiley College Virginia State University Virginia Union University
About Strada Education Network
Strada Education Network is a new kind of nonprofit social impact organization, dedicated to increasing individuals’ economic mobility through purposeful connections between education and employment. Our approach combines innovative research, thought leadership, strategic philanthropy and investments, and support for individuals through student coaching, work-based learning, career exploration, and helping adults learn new skills throughout their careers. Together, we work to better serve the millions of Americans seeking to complete postsecondary education and training, gain clear value from those experiences, and build meaningful careers. Learn more at stradaeducation.org.
Grant competition seeks to connect learning with employment for first-generation students, those who struggle to afford education, and students of color. .main-content__header-area .header-image .text-box { max-width: 100% !important; text-align: center; }
$25 million grant from Strada Education Network taps the collective experience and insights of HBCU leaders to scale experiential learning and leadership development within the college experience .main-content__header-area .header-image .text-box { max-width: 100% !important; text-align: center; }
New organization will allow each constituent part to focus on mission delivery, gaining operating efficiencies by leveraging support services from Strada
Surveys and interviews with 2020, 2021 high school graduates who postponed their education plans due to COVID-19 also show advising, financial assistance, career relevance are important to bringing students back to campus.
Report also finds that more respondents rate shorter nondegree programs as worth the cost than longer ones
Combination to Create a Leading Labor Market Analytics Company
Strada Education Network’s latest survey finds that 32 percent of adults whose education plans were disrupted by COVID-19 are no longer enrolled or planning to enroll, up from 10 percent last spring
Strada Education Network’s latest Public Viewpoint research finds that fewer than 4 in 10 Black alumni and less than half of Latino alumni feel that it was worth taking out their student loans—but strong career support boosts their assessment.
Bill Hansen to Step Down After Eight Years Leading Nonprofit Social Impact Organization
University of Utah leader will drive Strada Education Network’s research, philanthropy, policy, and thought leadership on national stage.
Breaux, Jenkins and Olinger Join Governing Board; Coulis Selected as Board Chair for National Social Impact Organization Focused on Strengthening Education-to-Employment Pathways
Americans cited an unfair system for hiring and advancement, a lack of employer support for education or training, and insufficient skills or credentials as the top barriers to good jobs
Nearly two million college students (13 percent) at four-year institutions expect to delay their graduation because of COVID-19, and another 15 percent aren’t sure if they will.
Strada grant brings the number of JRF/Strada Scholars to 42; provides vital program support
Compared to a year ago, adults without degrees are 18 percentage points less likely to believe education and training will be worth the cost, and 25 percentage points less likely to believe it will get them a good job
Nearly four in 10 Americans say relevance is the No. 1 factor in choosing among education options, and when it comes to delivery mode, safety and convenience drive preferences for online-only education
Strada Center for Consumer Insights' weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that a majority of Americans prefer online-only or hybrid education options; Black Americans have the strongest interest in and perceptions of the value of online education among racial groups
New results from the Strada Center for Consumer Insights find that Americans’ decisions about pursuing postsecondary education are heavily influenced by career value, logistics, and self-confidence.
Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research to Collaborate with Strada Center for Consumer Insights
Strada Center for Consumer Insights' weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that workers who say they would switch careers are most interested in business, IT, and finance.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights' weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that 50 percent of Latinos and 42 percent of Black Americans have canceled or modified education plans.
Courtney Hills McBeth to coordinate national engagement efforts for social impact organization
Strada Center for Consumer Insights' weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that 65 percent of young Americans have either canceled their education plans, delayed enrollment, or made other substantial changes.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights’ weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that some Americans are already returning to work – and those with advanced degrees are far more likely to have found new employment
Strada Center for Consumer Insights analyzes its weekly survey of Americans on impact of COVID-19 by job field
Strada Center for Consumer Insights poll finds COVID-19 has disrupted Americans' education plans; thoughts about where they would enroll have shifted.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights poll finds while the majority of Americans have either lost jobs, hours, or income, the COVID-19 economic crisis is disproportionately impacting black and Latino Americans.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights survey finds most Americans remain concerned about the financial and health impacts of COVID-19, but 70 percent of adults believe effects of the crisis will last no longer than six months.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights weekly survey finds significant increases in Americans losing income and worried about their economic livelihood
Strada Center for Consumer Insights launches weekly nationally representative Public Viewpoint survey to track the impact of COVID-19 on individuals’ careers