Michaelle Shadburne, M.Ed.’s Post

A college education is often called the great equalizer for income, social mobility, wealth, and a generational transformation. I am proud to say that at the California State University we are delivering on those lofty ideals. #CSU #Education #SocialMobility

"One of our major findings was that universities often shape community college transfer in ways that undermine access and equity. Faculty and administrators fight to preserve their discretion on which course credits will be accepted, usually on the grounds of upholding high standards. In response, however, students must jump through multiple hoops to prove themselves worthy – both before and after admission. We found several instances where university staff resisted statewide transfer policy reform, more flexible bilateral transfer agreements and other changes to streamline transfer for students." https://lnkd.in/gEUSaYs8 #HigherEd #CreditTransfer #StudentEquity #TransferStudents #CommunityCollege #AccessToEducation #HigherEdPolicy #EducationReform #TransferPathways #StudentAdvocacy #HigherEdLeadership #CollegeTransfer #StudentSuccess #PolicyChange

#ICYMI, Chancellor Andrew D. Martin recently wrote an article about Washington University in St. Louis' efforts to make education more accessible to students in the St. Louis region and beyond. "If we are to address global challenges – and we must – first, we must open the university’s doors wide to all qualified students, regardless of socioeconomic status, and better equip them to thrive once here," Chancellor Martin writes. University programs such as the WashU Pledge deliver on this promise, providing a free undergraduate education to full-time students from Missouri and southern Illinois who are Pell-Grant eligible or from families with annual incomes of $75,000 or less. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gpJYxB-7 #InSTLforSTL

"The results of this study demonstrate that CVCC creates value from multiple perspectives. The college benefits regional businesses by increasing consumer spending in the region and supplying a steady flow of qualified, trained workers to the workforce" (CVCC Executive Summary, Lightcast). Additionally, hot-off-the-press BLS data show that Virginia's unemployment rate is still well below the national average, and manufacturing and trades hiring is increasing (bls.gov). This is a no-brainer! The ROI in Virginia's community colleges, and specifically in Central Virginia Community College is undeniable and necessary to assure continued economic growth in the Lynchburg, VA region. At CVCC, in the #Mechatronics program and all of our Career & Technical Education and Workforce Development programs, we are doing everything humanly possible to meet the demand for a well-trained technical workforce, but we can't do it alone. We rely heavily on our wonderfully supportive Industry Partners, area economic development partners, and most importantly, state funding. Yes we can! Together. Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance Pam Bailey Traci Blido #CVCC #CTE #technicaleducation #industry4point0 #studentsuccess #advancedmanufacturing #economicdevelopment #workingtogether #lyhregion #amherst #appomattox #bedford #campbell

Wright State University was ranked the top public university in Ohio for social mobility in the Wall Street Journal’s 2025 America’s Best Colleges rankings! The social mobility ranking, which acknowledges how much a university enhances students’ social mobility after graduation, considers the number of years it takes to pay off the net tuition price, how much a university boosts its graduates’ salaries, the proportion of students at the university who receive Pell Grants, and the graduation rates of those students. Wright State ranked No. 3 for students’ social mobility among all private and public colleges and universities in Ohio, just behind Muskingum University and Ohio Northern University, but ahead of all public institutions, including Ohio State. The Wall Street Journal ranked Wright State highly in several other categories, such as being second in best salaries among public universities in Ohio, and fourth in best value among public universities in Ohio.

While the perception is that a college degree does not increase your socio-economic status, the facts remain that it is a single predictable driver of future success. Barry University President Mike Allen shares how many private colleges have filled the role of Florida's public institutions in providing opportunities for underserved populations in his latest Miami Herald op-ed. #PublicRelations #HigherEducationMarketing #HigherEdComms

I appreciate the article in Crain's Detroit Business for taking a deep dive into the elimination of the Michigan Tuition Grant for about 1,500 students across the state. The students affected are over the age of 25, 60% are women, half are non-white and 30% are the first in their families to attend college. These are the exact people who need support to change their lives and give an economic boost to the state by providing much-needed talent. Competing needs in our state are complex, but succeeding in the goal to produce more college graduates is key to multiple initiatives and to our collective future. Read more about Davenport University's efforts, along with other universities in Michigan, to keep this grant to clear a path to a better future through higher education. https://lnkd.in/euS-txvt

A recent report highlights the growing trend of community colleges offering bachelor's degrees, a game-changer for underserved student populations aiming for family-sustaining careers and wages. This shift shows how vital community colleges are in closing equity gaps and boosting economic success, especially in education deserts. https://lnkd.in/g_yCQeeA #CommunityCollege #Comm_college #HigherEducation #HigherEd #Equity #EducationDeserts #BachelorDegrees #UnderservedPopulations #EconomicSuccess

Maximize College Savings with Strategic Planning! Are you dreaming of a college education without the hefty price tag? It’s possible with proper planning and resources! Begin by researching and applying for scholarships and grants. Many institutions offer significant financial aid packages, and some even provide full rides to deserving students. Visiting campuses plays a vital role in this process. Not only do campus visits help you get a feel for the college environment, but they also allow you to ask questions about financial aid, meet with advisors, and explore potential academic and extracurricular opportunities. These visits can be the key to discovering hidden financial resources and ensuring that you choose a school where you’ll thrive both academically and socially. #CollegePlanning #AffordableEducation #Scholarships #CampusVisits #LampertEducationalResources #AffordCollege

Why are more people not talking about this? Free two-year college degrees for all? This is a big f***ing deal! 🥂 This effectively makes a college education attainable for all (a) in Massachusetts and (b) in any other jurisdiction that offers this. If you do two years in community college (and perform well), you could very well have a state school (or possibly even a private college) somewhere give you a scholarship for the final two years of undergrad. “Gov. Maura Healey on Monday signed into law the $57.78 billion Fiscal 2025 state budget, which in part establishes the MassEducate program, a new initiative that makes every community college in the state free for anyone who has never earned a degree.” https://lnkd.in/eaCSut8u