Grants to nonprofit organizations, postsecondary education providers, and workforce and skills-based educators

Grants to nonprofit organizations, postsecondary education providers, and workforce and skills-based educators is sponsored by Strada Education Foundation. Strada Education Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations, postsecondary education providers, and workforce and skills-based educators to make education-to-employment pathways more accessible and affordable.

Strada awards 8 grants focused on quality education-to-career guidance | Strada Education Foundation Strada awards 8 grants focused on quality education-to-career guidance Strada Education Foundation announced today the eight recipients of a grant program that supports institutions in their efforts to scale innovative guidance and career services.

APLU and AASCU will work with Strada to support projects and share insights from these leading efforts across their hundreds of member universities.

The institutions selected for the Innovation in Career Services grant program will receive up to $300,000 each to design, implement, and evaluate innovative approaches to career services that are aligned with the principles for education-to-career guidance, which were developed by an advisory group of education and workforce development leaders and practitioners in partnership with Strada.

They describe the core components of quality education-to-career guidance, and reflect the importance of making education-to-career guidance available to all learners. “These eight institutions are committed to rethinking and reinvigorating their approaches to career services,” said Ruth Watkins, Strada’s President of Postsecondary Education.

“Using the education-to-career principles as their guide, they will demonstrate how career advising and guidance can make the difference in improving post-completion outcomes for students, particularly those who have traditionally faced the greatest challenges.

” The principles define quality education-to-career guidance as: Centered on education-to-career outcomes Foundational and universal Informed by data and evidence “This grant program comes at an opportune time for institutions that want to provide their students with increased access to education-to-career coaching and guidance,” said Craig Robinson, Strada’s Senior Vice President, Quality Coaching.

“Research shows that students who receive timely, supportive guidance are more likely to secure a good first job. Unfortunately, only about 1 in 5 bachelor’s degree graduates report receiving this guidance. The need is great!

”The eight institutions awarded grants are: Athens State University (AL) , an upper division transfer institution serving adult learners, will provide targeted mentoring, networking, embedded career course supports, micro credentials and badges, and industry-linked career advising through Athens Aspire.

Georgia State University (GA) will develop and launch an AI platform to provide personalized career guidance to all students that includes helping them to navigate the career resources and services available at the institution. Morgan State University (MD) will provide career guidance to students through mentorship, leadership development, and connections to employers for first-year, first generation students.

Northern Arizona University (AZ) will integrate career-oriented learning outcomes into coursework and support all students in developing personalized career development roadmaps at every stage of the educational journey, from pre-matriculation to post-graduation.

Prairie View A & M University (TX) as part of their new PV Cares student success model in which every undergraduate is assigned a career coach, professional academic advisor, and financial counselor, will provide upper-level social science and humanities majors career developmental opportunities through micro-credentialing and professional development training.

San Diego State University (CA) will launch a career readiness platform that will engage students through cohort-based career coaching, work-based learning opportunities, and professional mentoring for high-demand industries.

University of Central Florida (FL) will train success coaches to enhance the career guidance they provide students, further integrate career competencies into curriculum, and expand online career development resources.

University of Iowa (IA) will expand its use of an integrated, online career guidance platform that was developed with input from low-income and first-generation students to provide personalized support including timely labor market information and engage students through reflection activities.

“These projects demonstrate how quality coaching can connect students to the many services and resources available to them at institutions and in their communities,” said Ernest Newborn, chair, Strada Board of Trustees. “Along with other essential practices such as work-based learning, quality coaching can ensure that students integrate career planning and career experiences at every stage of their postsecondary education.

” Browse insights Browse insights A look back and the path forward: Insights from the HBCU Initiative As Strada’s eight-year investment in historically Black colleges and universities reaches its halfway point, the partner institutions and students involved reflect on how it helps students connect their education to economic opportunity.

How Mississippi made locally led coaching happen statewide With dedicated career coaches in 90 percent of its public high schools, the state connects learners with information about education pathways to high-demand, high-wage jobs.

Celebrating the mentors who coached, cheered, and cajoled us in our journeys For January’s National Mentoring Month, Strada staff reflected on how mentors in all their forms have shaped our journeys as students and professionals.

2025: What excites us at the intersection of education and work Large-scale systems-level change requires sustained attention and dedication, so when Strada looks back at progress made over the past year, we are inspired by moments that point toward a future in which every person — no matter where they start — can envision a way ahead that is filled with opportunity.

21 national organizations endorse Principles for Quality Education-to-Career Guidance and Coaching The Principles identify essential strategies for supporting students through quality education-to-career guidance as they transition from education to employment. Measuring state progress in connecting education with opportunity.

Affiliates and strategic partnerships: 5 questions for Strada’s Beth Cobert While overseeing the organization’s portfolio of affiliates, Cobert also leads multiyear partnerships with mission-aligned nonprofit organizations.

State Opportunity Index event brings together state leaders, highlights promising approaches More than 300 education and industry leaders from 36 U.S. states came together to learn from one another about how states are connecting education after high school with economic opportunity.

Principles for Quality Education-to-Career Guidance: Endorsers The following organizations have endorsed the Principles for Quality Education-to-Career Guidance. We asked these organizations: How can the Guiding Principles support your work? Here are some of their responses.

Quality Coaching: 5 questions for Strada’s Craig Robinson ‘For many, having someone in your corner who knows how to translate dreams into plans can make all the difference. ’ Amid the questions about the value of college, we also can find lots of answers A new Roadtrip Nation documentary, “Rethinking Higher Ed,” asks: What is required to ensure the path provides the most value for each person?

Where do students find guidance as they chose their path? How can we be sure every learner has a guide? Class of 2025 includes first cohort of Strada Scholars This year the Strada HBCU Initiative celebrates its fourth year — a milestone that includes the graduation of many students in the first cohort of Strada Scholars.

What we’ve learned from the State Opportunity Index — and what comes next One year after its release, Strada CEO and President Stephen Moret reflects on what has been learned so far and what to expect in the next iteration. The invisible barrier: how restrictions on majors influence career paths How a student chooses a college major is often the result of personal factors, such as interests, strengths, or education and career guidance.

Preparing college students for career success Strada is extending an invitation for each institution to participate in the State Opportunity Index survey and to receive confidential and benchmarked results, free of cost. Strada’s agenda lays out ambitious steps for improving education and employment systems so students realize the economic value of their education and employers have the talent they need to fill jobs.

Principles for Quality Education-to-Career Guidance Guidance in connecting education to a career can make the difference in improving completion and postcompletion outcomes. When grounded in effective practices including proactive outreach and comprehensive support, coaching is associated with improved persistence and graduation rates.

Strada’s report, Quality Coaching, looks at students’ experiences across three elements of quality coaching and we examine the experiences of recent graduates. The report also offers insights to leaders, practitioners, and others seeking to improve students’ career outcomes.

Industry veterans-turned mentors ease path to students’ first jobs Mentors in Tech, supported by a Strada grant, recruits veterans from the Seattle region’s robust tech industry to mentor students at the area’s small, affordable, open-access colleges. Strada appoints 2 leaders for quality coaching, work-based learning Both Robinson and Love will support the foundation’s efforts to conduct research and develop policy solutions.

2024 State Opportunity Index The State Opportunity Index was developed to help states build a stronger connection between education after high school and equitable pathways to opportunity so students realize the full value of their education and employers have the workforce they need to fill high-demand jobs. In honor of National Mentoring Month, a salute to our mentors The gift of time. A recognition of talent.

A helping hand. How our mentors helped shape us as people and professionals. A few Strada staff members share their thoughts.

$6 million awarded to expand programs aimed at student success beyond college completion Three-year grants awarded to four institutions will support the expansion of programs designed to help learners succeed during and after completion of their degree or credential. Strada launches second phase of $10 million Beyond Completion Challenge Phase 2 allows Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity members to seek up to $1.

5 million ($6. 25 million total) to expand efforts to connect education to employment. Strada names 15 grant winners in $10 million Beyond Completion Challenge Strada announces the winners in the initial phase of a grant challenge aimed at helping higher education institutions improve career and life opportunities for several disadvantaged populations.

Workforce development leader Stephen Moret to join Strada as president and CEO The recognized economic and workforce development leader with successful tenures in Virginia and Louisiana will join the national nonprofit in January 2022.

Strada, Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity launch $10 million challenge ​​The grant competition seeks to connect learning with employment for first-generation students, those who struggle to afford education, and students of color.

28 HBCUs join ambitious initiative to connect students’ education and aspirations A $25 million grant from Strada taps the collective experience and insights of HBCU leaders to scale experiential learning and leadership development within the college experience. Ruth V.

Watkins joins Strada to drive research, philanthropy, thought leadership The former University of Utah leader will drive Strada’s research, philanthropy, policy, and thought leadership on the national stage. First Name Last Name Email Address Thank you! Your submission has been received!

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