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.
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INDIANAPOLIS – April 24, 2024 – Strada Education Foundation, which works to strengthen the link between education and opportunity, today announced Justin Draeger will join Strada as senior vice president, affordability. In this new leadership role, Draeger’s work will focus on addressing systemic barriers to affordability while reducing the cost of delivering a quality post-high school education, increasing awareness about financial aid, and supporting state strategies to better connect financial aid to talent and workforce development. He will join Strada in July.
“For too many individuals, the cost of an education after high school, including college as well as alternative pathways, is a significant barrier to opportunity,” said Stephen Moret, CEO of Strada Education Foundation. “Justin has a strong track record of working with a diverse group of partners to develop innovative policy solutions and lead advocacy efforts to ensure more students can afford, complete, and gain the benefits of an education after high school. We are delighted he will be joining our team to help ensure that quality post-high school education programs are within everyone’s financial reach, enabling more equitable pathways to opportunity.”
Draeger brings years of executive-level experience and is a proven leader and advocate for postsecondary affordability and accessibility. He currently serves as President and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), where he expanded the organization’s policy agenda with new strategic initiatives and partnerships. Throughout his career, Draeger has worked with a diverse group of partners to develop innovative policy solutions and lead advocacy efforts to ensure more students can access and afford an education after high school.
“I am honored and excited to be joining Strada Education Foundation and continuing my commitment to creating better and more equitable postsecondary education and training systems,” Draeger said. “I look forward to working with the talented team at Strada and our diverse partners nationwide to drive transformative change in reducing the cost of education after high school, decreasing time to completion, increasing access to need-based financial aid, and making postsecondary education affordable and accessible for all.”
Draeger is a recognized thought leader in postsecondary education, with regular contributions to national policy discussions and media engagements on topics related to education affordability, and as a first-generation college graduate, he is personally committed to postsecondary affordability.
“Justin brings to Strada the kind of practical experience and strategic leadership needed to rethink current systems and develop new and innovative ideas,” said Ruth Watkins, Strada’s President of Postsecondary Education. Working alongside our many partners in the field, Justin will be an integral part of Strada’s vision for research-based, system-level change.”
Draeger earned a Master of Business Administration from the Center for Graduate Studies at Baker College, as well as a Bachelor of Science in development and resource management from Brigham Young University.
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About Strada Education Foundation Strada 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. We collaborate with students, educators, employers, policymakers, and other partners to help create more equitable pathways to opportunity. Learn more at stradaeducation.org.
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