Read Time
INDIANAPOLIS — (May 16, 2022) — Strada Education Network announced today the second phase of its $10 million Beyond Completion Challenge, designed to help higher education institutions scale promising efforts to improve long-term outcomes for many more students, especially those who historically have faced the greatest barriers in education and the workforce.
Phase 2 grantees may receive up to $1.5 million each to scale and evaluate their initiatives over a three-year grant cycle. Strada has committed a total of $6.25 million for Phase 2, as part of the larger $10 million Beyond Completion Challenge. Recipients will be announced in early 2023.
“As we look to recover from a worldwide pandemic that has disrupted education and work and destabilized the economy, we must shift our focus beyond completion of degrees and other credentials. Designing and delivering an educational experience that better connects learning with career as well as personal and professional development will help ensure that all students can achieve their goals in seeking postsecondary education,” said Strada Impact President Ruth Watkins, Ph.D. “Phase 1 showed us there is no shortage of great ideas for how to improve students’ educational experiences and outcomes. What we need now is to evaluate new approaches that help those who have faced the greatest barriers realize the benefit of colleges and then ensure effective strategies reach as many students as possible.”
The most-aligned Phase 2 proposals will include:
Strada is partnering with the Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity to conduct the Beyond Completion Challenge. The program aims to reimagine higher education in ways that better serve students’ needs. The challenge — which includes $3.75 million in previously awarded innovation grants in addition to the scaling grants announced today — is intended to support initiatives that will focus on equitable outcomes through and beyond college completion.
The Taskforce, created in spring 2020 by three dozen presidents and chancellors representing close to 100 colleges and universities and 2.4 million students, has been working to improve higher education to address persistent inequities that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated. It receives organizational support from McKinsey & Company.
Taskforce members are invited to submit their proposals for scaling grants by Sept. 1, 2022, and recipients will be announced in early 2023.
About the Beyond Completion Challenge During Phase 1 of the Challenge in early 2022, Strada selected 15 institutions to receive up to $250,000 each in innovation grants to help students increase equitable and measurable postcompletion outcomes. The emphasis in Phase 2 is on scaling grants to reach larger numbers of students and expand effective practices. All institutions that are members of the Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity are invited to compete for up to $1.5 million in scaling grants.
Learn more about the Taskforce’s work and Strada’s Beyond Completion Challenge here.
###
About Strada Education Network
Strada Education Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people leverage education and training after high school to achieve their career and life goals. We conduct research; make charitable grants and social impact investments; and support the nonprofit organizations Roadtrip Nation, InsideTrack, Education at Work, and the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning, which directly serve students and workers. Learn more at stradaeducation.org.
About the Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity
The Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity is a community of three dozen presidents and chancellors representing nearly 100 public, private, two-year and four-year institutions and 2.4 million students. The Taskforce was launched in 2020 to address the challenges of the pandemic, income inequality, the changing nature of work and unemployment among recent college graduates. Learn more at taskforceonhighered.org/.
Media Contact: Patty Mason, Senior Director, Strategic Communications patty.mason@stradaeducation.org
To create a PDF of the webpage, choose in opened window 'Save as PDF' option in 'Destination' select or something like that and click to save or print button.
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.
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.
National Workforce Development Leader to Head Social Impact Organization’s Strategy and Innovation Team
New Study from Strada Education Network Reveals a Silver Lining at a Challenging Time
Strada Education Network is pleased to celebrate the opening of the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City.
Phase 2 allows Taskforce members to seek up to $1.5 million ($6.25 million total) to expand efforts to connect education to employment.
Disparities in securing paid internships persist for women, people of color, first-generation college students, and students with low incomes — even when taking into account their fields of study
Strada Education Network announced today the winners in the initial phase of a $10 million grant challenge aimed at helping higher education institutions identify and expand new solutions that will improve career and life opportunities for more students of color, first-generation students, those who struggle to afford education, and adult students and workers.
NSSE and Strada researchers identify gaps in social capital development in 2021 NSSE career preparation data
Recognized Economic and Workforce Development Leader to Join National Nonprofit in January 2022
Courses, faculty receive high marks, but valued education-career connections are less consistent, and females, first-generation, Black alumni are less likely to report successful outcomes
Grant competition seeks to connect learning with employment for first-generation students, those who struggle to afford education, and students of color.
$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
Disrupted high school graduates cited stress, anxiety, and uncertainty as having the greatest influence on their decision to delay further education — and they say guidance, affordability, and connections to career would help them re-engage.
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
Strada Education Network’s latest Public Viewpoint research highlights widespread belief that when it comes to career, skills and experience should take precedence over formal credentials—and that Americans highly value employers who will support their education and career development.
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