Lumina Foundation

Founded more than a half-century ago, the Toledo Campus was Owen Community College’s first location. Today, it enrolls more than 15,000 students per semester, providing a wide range of academics to serve the Toledo community’s diverse needs. Owens Community College’s 130+ programs of study are divided among several academic units, from Fine & Performing Arts to Transportation Technologies. Many of these programs are designed for career training, either for popular professions like Nurse Assistant or more unique fields like Landscape & Turfgrass Management. If you’re interested in transferring to a four-year college, OCC maintains transfer agreements with several colleges and universities throughout Ohio. You can get your gen ed requirements out of the way at OCC, then continue your studies elsewhere. Financial aid opportunities at OCC are extensive. In addition to federal need-based programs, the college offers a number of merit scholarships. Most of these awards require a separate application, as well as a scholarship essay. Applying for admissions at Owens is easy. The application can be completed online for free, and the only other requirement for general admissions is your official high school transcript or GED certificate. Individual programs may have additional requirements; for example, Health Technology requires ACT/SAT scores.

The State University of New York (SUNY) is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, comprising 64 institutions that include research universities, academic medical centers, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and colleges of technology, along with an online learning network. SUNY serves approximately 463,000 students across more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs, and nearly 2 million individuals in workforce and professional development initiatives. With nearly 3 million alumni worldwide, SUNY plays a significant role in shaping educational opportunities and driving societal contributions both within New York State and globally.

Ocean County College offers residents of Toms River, New Jersey, a personalized two-year education that emphasizes small-group learning. Ocean County College academics include a variety of career-oriented majors, such as: * Accounting * Alcohol and Drug Counseling * Business * Criminal Justice * Education * Health and Human Performance * Nursing The school also awards degrees in the arts and humanities, with programs in: * Dance * English * Film Studies * Graphic Design * Music * Philosophy * Theatre Ocean County College prides itself on small classes, which foster an intimate learning environment. Learning takes place primarily through small group projects and discussions. Students may also benefit from the intimate one-on-one experience of the school’s many qualified tutors. The school also offers an intimate and supportive experience by sponsoring various student support groups. Ocean County College’s college life activities include academic, cultural, performing arts and recreational clubs. In addition to an application, applicants must supply transcripts or GED scores and take a placement exam for admissions. Ocean County College participates in federal financial aid programs, which help students to pay tuition fees through loans and grants. Select students may also receive a tuition waiver for up to five semesters from the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance program.

The Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama, offers flexible two-year associate’s degrees with many resources for workforce development. Student life is full of opportunity. Students may join one of the many clubs and organizations, from Alpha Beta Chi to The Designers and Builders Club to the Student Chapter of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians. These groups help students identify their career goals and make lifelong friends as they complement their classroom education. Academics include associate’s degrees in a variety of fields, including Anthropology, Banking and Finance, Funeral Service Education and Radiologic Technology. The school offers workforce development resources through workforce readiness training programs, training for business and industry programs, adult education and remedial education programs and more. Admissions are open, allowing any student who has earned a high school diploma or GED the opportunity to enroll. Applicants must complete an online application, available on the Jefferson State website, and present a primary or secondary form of identification through a U.S. passport, Alabama driver’s license or social security card. The amount students can receive from federal Pell grants is determined by how many credit hours a student is enrolled for. To be considered for financial aid, students must file a FAFSA. Forms of aid include institutional scholarships, federal grants, direct loans and work study programs.

Ohlone College offers education for university transfer, career entry, job skills, economic development, personal enrichment, and basic skills for all who can benefit from our instruction in an environment where student learning success is highly valued, supported, and continually assessed. Ohlone College has campuses in Fremont and Newark (San Francisco East Bay Area), California.

If you are from an economically challenged background, Community College of Beaver County in Monaca, Pennsylvania will offer you extra support to pursue your degree. At Community College of Beaver County in Monaca, Pennsylvania, you can train to be a Casino Dealer, Air Traffic Controller or a Professional Pilot. You can get a degree that will prepare you for such in-demand healthcare careers as Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Phlebotomy or Pharmacy Technology. You can also get a degree in a fast-growing field like Culinary Arts or Criminal Justice or attend the college’s Police Academy. If you pursue one of CCBC’s academic majors through the department of Arts and Sciences, you can also start your first two years of a bachelor’s before transferring to a four-year school. In addition to CCBC’s Keys and Act 101 programs, which are designed to offer extra assistance to students from low-income backgrounds, there are additional student services for the general population. These include career, academic or personal counseling or tutoring. Financial aid is also awarded to students who meet certain financial and other criteria. Since CCBC has an open admissions policy, anyone with a high school diploma may enroll and benefit from a Community College of Beaver County degree.

Resting along the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains, the Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, California, offers Southwestern students a wide selection of two-year academics that have been chosen due to their increasing growth in today's workforce. Chaffey's programs are offered in a variety of fields, including business, education, humanities, mathematics and science and language arts Some of the concentrations available include: * Business and Office Technologists * Acute Care Technician * Administration of Justice * Anthropology * Child Development and Education The Rancho Cucamonga campus includes the Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art, which hosts many exhibitions and artistic events throughout the year. To further enhance your college life, Chaffey provides a full array of student services. Whether you seek tutoring, help identifying a career that includes your particular skills or even searching for employers in the community or throughout the nation, Chaffey is there to help you. To encourage graduates to continue their education at a four-year university, Chaffey maintains agreements with Californian universities for easy transfers, as well as scholarship opportunities to aid in the transition. Tuition cost is set lower for California residents, but all students, including Californians, may apply for financial aid by filing a FAFSA. Chaffey maintains an open admissions policy, considering each applicant for enrollment.

Northern Arizona University is a public research institution. It offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, sciences, engineering, and health professions. It serves industries such as education, healthcare, technology, and environmental science.

The General Assembly and Governor Otto Kerner created the Board of Higher Education in 1961 to plan and coordinate Illinois' system

North Dakota students who want to explore their career options through a variety of two-year degrees and workforce training certificate programs do not have to look any further than the Bismarck State College in Bismarck, North Dakota. If you would like to pursue a bachelor’s degree while at Bismarck State, the school offers an online bachelor’s degree in Energy Management. Bismarck also works with various schools in the North Dakota University System to offer baccalaureate completion programs in more than 20 fields. Academics available at the Bismarck campus include an enormous selection of both career-based and transfer programs, such as: * Agriculture * Visual Arts * Electronics and Telecommunications Technology * Petroleum Engineering Technology * Speech Communication To ensure that you are learning outside of the classroom as much as inside, Bismarck offers a rich college life. No matter where your interests lie, Bismarck has enriching learning opportunities for you. You can help promote leadership in your academic field by joining a club like the Agriculture, Technology and Natural Resources group, explore student art showcases at the Student Union and participate in outreach programs coordinate by the Student Activities Association. Bismarck determines admissions based upon an applicant’s strength of high school education, ACT and SAT scores and results of a mandatory COMPASS assessment examination. Students who file a FAFSA and demonstrate need will be considered for Bismarck financial aid, available through programs like North Dakota State grants and federal grants, scholarships and direct loans.

The Central Wyoming College in Riverton, Wyoming, serves as the educational and cultural center of the Riverton region, allowing students to pursue two-year academics while broadening their appreciation and understanding of the world through the many art exhibits, musical concerts and theatre productions CWC hosts. CWC is also home to Wyoming PBS, one of the only public broadcasting networks in all of Wyoming. CWC offers an exciting college life. If you enjoy outdoor recreation, movie nights and a variety of cultural events, you will find something an activity on campus that interests you. Students who enjoy the outdoors will find plenty to do in Riverton, as you will be nearby parks like the Yellowstone National Park, Hot Springs State Park, Grand Teton National Park, as well as heavily forested and trail areas. The academics available at CWC will help prepare you to pursue higher education or seek immediate employment. Some programs include: * Environmental Science and Leadership * Agribusiness * Pre-Engineering * Theatre * Photography * Music Residents of Wyoming and states that belong to the Western Undergraduate Exchange program receive discounted tuition. For a list of qualifying states, please contact CWC. Students who apply online will have their application fee waived. To be considered for enrollment, applicants must submit their official high school transcript and copy of diploma or GED. All incoming students are required to take an entrance assessment exam unless they provide ACT/SAT scores. CWC offers scholarships like the Wyoming Hathaway, Andrew Boulette and Bebot Family scholarships to qualifying students. Additional forms of financial aid include Pell grants, SEO grants, direct loans and Perkins loans.

In addition to occupational certificates and degrees, students may earn their bachelor’s degree while attending Iowa Lakes Community College. Located in Estherville, Iowa, the school also has campuses in Emmettsburg and Spencer. Career training programs available at Estherville, some of which are only offered at the Estherville campus, include: *Accounting Specialist *Aviation/Airport Management *Criminal Justice *Graphic Design and Technology *Paralegal/Legal Studies *Broadcasting and Media *Photography Iowa’s collaborative programs with four-year schools provide students with a unique and exciting educational opportunity. For example, students may earn a degree from such schools as University of Iowa while attending classes on the Iowa Lakes campus. Another of these combined programs allows students to complete part of their coursework at Iowa Lakes and the rest at UI. As an open-enrollment institution, Iowa Lakes Estherville admits any student with a high school diploma or GED. Tuition is lower for regional residents and financial aid is available to qualifying students.

At South Piedmont Community College you can learn one of more than 20 languages, take a class in solar technology or get short-term marketable career training. Located in Polkton, North Carolina, South Piedmont offers short-term training leading to such careers as emergency medical technician, nursing assistant, paralegal, activity coordinator and firefighter, among others. SPCC also has a range of standard associate’s degree, certificate or diploma programs in a range of subject areas including healthcare, business, and the liberal arts and sciences for those who wish to transfer to a four-year school. Adult basic skills programs span the range of reading, writing, math and communications skills, providing instruction for students at various levels of proficiency in these areas. Since SPCC prides itself on having something for everyone, the continuing education division offers everything from a class in notary public to massage therapy training to recertification for teachers. Students may also take a class in one of more than 20 languages. The learning format of SPCC classes is also tailored for students of all types. Online courses, televised classes, courses offered through video conferencing as well as blended courses are all available. Career and academic counseling, which is offered on campus, is also offered over the internet, through instant messaging and over the telephone. Financial aid options, which may be discussed with a financial aid counselor, include Pell grants and loans.

Students near Barrigada, Guam looking for a post-secondary, adult high school, GED, adult basic education, ESL, apprenticeship, or continuing education program have a home at Guam Community College. Fall registration applications are due by mid-August. At GCC you can earn an associate’s degree or certificate in programs like Automotive Service Technology, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Medical Assisting, Tourism & Travel Management, and many extra classes to learn interesting skills such as American Sign Language and office technology. Financial aid options include private loans and scholarships. There is also a two-year program called the College Access Challenge Grant Program, which helps underrepresented students in middle and high school prepare to enter college. The services include tutoring, help with college admissions and financial aid, student professional development, career goal assessment, academic counseling, skill set workshops and a summer academic program. As part of the college experience, GCC offers academic advising, a bookstore, counseling, health services, a job announcements board, a library, the learning resource center, and tutoring services, all of which can help you be the best possible student.

The Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, Wisconsin, offers high quality, flexible technical training programs with state-of-the-art-technology. The Student Activities Commission makes sure there are plenty of student life opportunities for you, whether social events, picnics or entertainment. Student Government Officers gain real-world experience by working directly with state legislators to influence legislation. A variety of student clubs and organizations are also available, allowing you to make friends while you receive a well-rounded educational experience. The school offers community service opportunities to help students develop personal, career and leadership skills. Student services like academic support services, career counseling and on-site child care are provided to all students. Academics offered include associate’s degrees, certificate, diploma and apprenticeship programs. Some associate’s degrees include Administrative Professional, Mechanical Design Technology and Radiography. Certificates are available in fields like Business Technology, Criminal Justice and Small Business Accounting. Admissions require students to take a COMPASS assessment examination. Students who have received higher than 15 on the ACT, earned an associate’s degree or graduated from a four-year institution are exempt from the COMPASS assessment. To be considered for financial aid, students must file a FAFSA by March 15 of the prior academic year. Types of aid include state programs, scholarships, student loans and federal grants.

Coastal Enterprises, Inc. is a nonprofit community development corporation and community development financial institution based in Brunswick, Maine, with additional offices throughout the state. Founded in 1977, the organization focuses on lending and investing in small and medium-sized businesses, particularly those that create jobs and contribute to community development. It offers a range of services, including business counseling, workforce development, and training, as well as specific support for industries such as natural resources, agriculture, and fisheries. Coastal Enterprises is also involved in affordable housing projects and provides educational resources like homebuyer education and financial counseling. Its mission encompasses fostering economic growth and supporting underserved communities throughout Maine and New England.

The University of Hawai‘i System includes 10 campuses and dozens of educational, training and research centers across the Hawaiian Islands. Established in 1907, it is the state's sole public system of higher education.

Illinois Community College Board home to 48 community colleges which provide high quality, accessible, cost-effective education.

Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to making high-quality, affordable college education a reality for all Americans.

Center for Racial Equity in Education supports the development of a shared policy agenda among public and private Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Education Reform Now helps to improve outcomes for students who have been historically prohibited and underserved so that the system accrues benefits for everyone. They provide education policies that empower students and enable them to fulfil their limitless potential.

Campaign for College Opportunity focus on making college more affordable by sharing research findings, through nonpartisan communications.

Minnesota Education Equity Partnership transforms practices, policies, and public narratives to build an education system. They develop leadership services and trainings for educators, districts, schools, organizations, leaders, and faculty. They build equitable educational spaces that uplift the students and advance racial equity and excellence in education.

Advance Illinois is a bipartisan education advocacy organization that works to improve education policy to ensure that all students are prepared for college or a career.

Partnership for College Completion is an organization that both provides support to colleges and universities for campus-based equity change and advances state policy for greater equity in higher education.

Philadelphia Student Union supports the student union's Equity Research Cooperative, which plans to develop and launch a College Students of Color Experience Survey.

National Legal Aid & Defender Association leads a broad network of advocates on the frontlines to advance justice and expand opportunity for all by promoting excellence in the delivery of legal services for people who cannot afford counsel.

Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice provides representation for all asylum seekers by training college students to become immigration advocates, and to fight for a socially just immigration system and community transformation.

Jeremiah Program disrupts the cycle of poverty for single mothers and their children, two generations at a time.

Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology helps education and human development locally, nationally and globally.

Founded in 1949, UCLA School of Law has garnered a reputation for artful teaching, influential scholarship and enduring innovation. As the first public law school in Southern California and the youngest top-ranked law school in the United States, UCLA Law has consistently pushed new boundaries in the study and practice of law. Beginning in the 1970s, our clinics were among the first to teach students systematically about the link between doctrinal mastery and practical skills. We remain committed to this integration of theory and practice with an extraordinary array of simulated transaction courses and live-client clinics that cover everything from mergers and acquisitions to workers’ rights and environmental law. In the 1990s, UCLA Law created an Empirical Research Group (ERG) so that faculty could incorporate sophisticated data techniques into their research. During this time, the law school also established think tanks where policy and legal issues could be discussed free of partisan influence and ideological biases. These institutes have consistently promoted the highest standards of intellectual discourse. Through research and published articles, our centers offer invaluable information for legislators, the judiciary and the public while providing critical training for UCLA Law students and the legal community. Over the decades, UCLA Law has developed a depth and breadth of academic offerings unsurpassed by any other law school in the nation. Our Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy is among the best anywhere. We are one of four among the top 20 law schools with a specialization in Business Law and Policy – and the only one to offer a specialization in Critical Race Studies. UCLA Law’s faculty also has emerged as one of the most influential nationwide. Our professors are leading scholars in areas including bankruptcy, corporate law, constitutional law, critical race theory, entertainment law, environmental law, intellectual property and tax law. Today, the UCLA Law alumni community is more than 15,000 strong and extends around the world. Alumni live and practice in virtually every state, the District of Columbia, multiple U.S. territories and more than 50 foreign nations. These graduates excel in their chosen fields, from private practice to business to government to public interest and beyond. We have a long tradition of distinction on the bench, with more than 320 alumni who are serving, or have served, on courts throughout the country. Six UCLA Law alumni are now judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit – the largest number of graduates from any one law school who are serving on the court. We take pride in these achievements and recognize that the strength of UCLA Law is a direct result of the superlative work of our faculty and staff, the talents of our diverse and academically gifted student body, and the accomplishments and unstinting generosity of our alumni. By building on past successes, UCLA Law continues to propel the school, students, faculty and alumni into a future of unparalleled distinction.

ACLU of Indiana Foundation is a tax-exempt, non-profit charity that provides legal assistance and conducts educational programs and activities.

Boston University Center for Antiracist Research convene researchers and practitioners from various disciplines to figure out novel and practical ways to understand, explain, and solve seemingly intractable problems of racial inequity and injustice.

Association of American Colleges & Universities is a membership organization that focuses on advancing higher education's democratic aims through equity, innovation, and excellence in liberal education. The organization acts as a catalyst and facilitator for educational innovations that increase educational quality and equity and promote the achievement of all students.

Indiana University-Purdue University School of Education supports the Education for Liberation program.

The Highlander Research and Education Center is a research and education center. They build equitable and sustainable systems and structures. It offers shifts in systems and structures that all too often have incubated oppression and exploitation in home communities.

Legal Defense Fund is a non profit organization dedicated to racial justice. Through the power of law, narrative, research, and people, they defend and advance black people's dignity and citizenship.

Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana operates as a social enterprise focused on providing opportunities and essential services to individuals in the region. By identifying gaps in the community, the organization evaluates potential opportunities and risks to develop effective solutions. Through its various programs and resources, Goodwill seeks to empower individuals, helping them achieve personal and professional growth while fostering a positive impact on the community.

Lawyers for Good Government mobilize the legal profession in support of people who have been harmed by systemic racism, using means such as policy resource and analysis.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is a non-profit legal advocacy organization based in Montgomery, Alabama, established in 1971 by civil rights lawyers Morris Dees and Joseph Levin Jr. The organization focuses on civil rights and public interest litigation, aiming to make the promises of the civil rights movement a reality for all individuals. SPLC is dedicated to combating hate and bigotry, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, including immigrants, racial minorities, and the LGBTQ+ population. The organization actively monitors and addresses what it identifies as hate groups while promoting justice and equality for the most vulnerable members of society. Its activities are guided by a board of directors that manages its endowment fund.

The Common Application membership association was established in 1975 by 15 private colleges that wished to provide a common, standardized first-year application form for use at any member institution. With the administrative support of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the organization grew steadily throughout its first 30 years. Today, The Common Application serves over 1 million students and school officials annually through their free online First-Year and Transfer applications. Their membership of over 500 public and private colleges and universities represents the full diversity of four-year higher education in the US and, increasingly, overseas.

Capital B is a nonprofit local and national news organization reporting for Black communities.

John Jay College Institute for Justice and Opportunity opens doors and eliminates barriers to success for people who have been involved in the criminal legal system.

Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council network is the nation’s most dynamic force in developing successful relationships between America’s top corporations and supply-chain providers from the Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American communities.

Indigenous Futures Institute is a community-driven and interdisciplinary project-based in Kumeyaay Territory at the University of California, San Diego.

Asante Art Institute of Indianapolis provides creative arts training, transformative performances, effective leadership development, and inspiring opportunities to unlock your potential and connect with a global community of artists and arts professionals so you can successfully move to the next level of your career.

Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples advocates for the right of self-determination and the sovereignty of Native lands, will support programs that respond to, prevent, and remedy violence against Native women and girls.

Border Network for Human Rights is an immigration reform and human rights advocacy organization.

Mentor Collective is a Boston-based company founded in 2013 that specializes in providing platforms for universities to implement and manage mentoring programs. It offers a comprehensive range of services including program design, mentorship operations, a content library, and assessment and analytics to enhance student engagement and success. By connecting students with relevant near-peer mentors, Mentor Collective aims to improve retention rates and overall student experiences. The organization partners with over 120 universities, including notable institutions such as Princeton and UC Davis, to ensure that all students have access to mentorship opportunities. The company has received recognition for its impact in the education sector, including placements in the Inc. 5000 list and accolades from Forbes and BostInno.

Foundation for California Community Colleges is built to benefit, support, and enhance the missions of the California Community College system through support from a wide range of partner organizations and individual donations.

Upswing offers an integrated student services platform designed to enhance student retention for colleges and universities. This platform consolidates various student support operations, allowing students to easily access services such as advising, counseling, success coaching, and tutoring within a virtual environment. Additionally, Upswing provides a virtual assistant that connects students to college reminders and important information via SMS. This streamlined approach enables college administrators to manage support staff more effectively, oversee communication with students, and access cohesive reporting and insights. Moreover, the platform facilitates academic assistance by allowing students to select coaches based on criteria such as price, quality, subjects, and prior experiences, thereby providing tailored support throughout their college journey.

Acadeum, formerly known as College Consortium, is a developer of an Academic Sharing Platform that facilitates online course sharing among universities. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Acadeum enables institutions of higher education to form course-sharing consortia, which include organizations like the Council of Independent Colleges and the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. The platform allows faculty to review and select courses from other participating colleges and universities, ensuring that these courses meet graduation requirements and can be eligible for financial aid. By leveraging interconnected networks, Acadeum aims to provide students with a broader array of educational options to support their academic success and enhance their pathways to graduation.

Noodle is a U.S.-based organization that specializes in enhancing online and hybrid education programs while also improving traditional classroom models. Founded in 2010 by John Katzman, the creator of The Princeton Review and 2U, Noodle collaborates with universities to develop certificate and degree programs. Its services encompass marketing, student recruitment, enrollment, curriculum design, and support services, helping institutions create tailored educational offerings. Additionally, Noodle provides students with unbiased data and real-world advice to assist them in making informed decisions about their educational paths. By connecting students with schools, programs, and resources, Noodle aims to facilitate a comprehensive and supportive educational experience.

Noodle is a U.S.-based organization that specializes in enhancing online and hybrid education programs while also improving traditional classroom models. Founded in 2010 by John Katzman, the creator of The Princeton Review and 2U, Noodle collaborates with universities to develop certificate and degree programs. Its services encompass marketing, student recruitment, enrollment, curriculum design, and support services, helping institutions create tailored educational offerings. Additionally, Noodle provides students with unbiased data and real-world advice to assist them in making informed decisions about their educational paths. By connecting students with schools, programs, and resources, Noodle aims to facilitate a comprehensive and supportive educational experience.

Acadeum, formerly known as College Consortium, is a developer of an Academic Sharing Platform that facilitates online course sharing among universities. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Acadeum enables institutions of higher education to form course-sharing consortia, which include organizations like the Council of Independent Colleges and the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. The platform allows faculty to review and select courses from other participating colleges and universities, ensuring that these courses meet graduation requirements and can be eligible for financial aid. By leveraging interconnected networks, Acadeum aims to provide students with a broader array of educational options to support their academic success and enhance their pathways to graduation.

EduNav, Inc. specializes in developing academic planning and optimization software tailored for the higher education sector. Its flagship product, EduNav, utilizes Big Data, combinatorial algorithms, and machine learning to help students map out their optimal paths to graduation. The software enhances student retention and timely degree completion while reducing unnecessary credit hours. Additionally, EduNav offers SmartPlan, a tool for degree, career, and transfer planning, alongside a predictive enrollment management solution designed for institutional administrators. Founded in 2013 and based in Cupertino, California, EduNav leverages its team's extensive experience in the education technology field to continually innovate and address the needs of colleges and universities.

Mentor Collective is a Boston-based company founded in 2013 that specializes in providing platforms for universities to implement and manage mentoring programs. It offers a comprehensive range of services including program design, mentorship operations, a content library, and assessment and analytics to enhance student engagement and success. By connecting students with relevant near-peer mentors, Mentor Collective aims to improve retention rates and overall student experiences. The organization partners with over 120 universities, including notable institutions such as Princeton and UC Davis, to ensure that all students have access to mentorship opportunities. The company has received recognition for its impact in the education sector, including placements in the Inc. 5000 list and accolades from Forbes and BostInno.

Bitwise Industries Inc. is a technology ecosystem company based in Fresno, California, founded in 2013. It focuses on enhancing the local technology landscape through education, execution, and physical space. The company operates Geekwise Academy, an accelerated training program that equips individuals of all ages, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, with essential coding skills for the modern job market. Additionally, Bitwise Industries runs a custom software development firm, Shift3 Technologies, which pairs senior developers with entry-level programmers to create software solutions. The company also emphasizes community development by providing paid apprenticeships, helping students gain practical tech experience and connect with job opportunities, while constructing vibrant workspaces in underserved areas to foster collaboration among technologists and technology companies.

Upswing offers an integrated student services platform designed to enhance student retention for colleges and universities. This platform consolidates various student support operations, allowing students to easily access services such as advising, counseling, success coaching, and tutoring within a virtual environment. Additionally, Upswing provides a virtual assistant that connects students to college reminders and important information via SMS. This streamlined approach enables college administrators to manage support staff more effectively, oversee communication with students, and access cohesive reporting and insights. Moreover, the platform facilitates academic assistance by allowing students to select coaches based on criteria such as price, quality, subjects, and prior experiences, thereby providing tailored support throughout their college journey.

Credly, Inc. operates a platform that specializes in verifying, sharing, and managing digital badges and credentials, which represent a variety of verified skills, abilities, and certifications. The company serves a diverse clientele, including educational institutions, employers, and professional associations, facilitating the translation of learning experiences into professional opportunities through trusted digital credentials. Credly provides tools and resources, such as the Open Credit API and Credly SDKs, to support the creation and distribution of these credentials. By leveraging its global network of credential issuers, Credly helps organizations address skills gaps, enhance talent management, and make informed hiring decisions. Founded in 2012 and based in New York, Credly is dedicated to transforming how knowledge and skills are recognized and communicated in the workforce.

Civitas Learning, Inc. is an education technology company that provides a predictive analytics platform aimed at enhancing student success across higher education institutions. Founded in 2011 and based in Austin, Texas, the company offers a suite of tools designed to aggregate and analyze disparate data sources throughout the student journey. Its student insights platform enables institutions to gain a comprehensive view of student experiences, while applications like Illume and Inspire for Faculty deliver real-time insights into student engagement and predictive student flow. Civitas Learning also offers Hoot.me, a crowd-sourced question-and-answer platform, and College Scheduler, which simplifies degree completion processes for students. The company serves approximately 375 colleges and universities, impacting nearly 8 million students across the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Mexico, with the goal of helping institutions graduate an additional million students annually by 2025.

Beam simplifies complex government program journeys with configurable, intelligent end-to-end workflows. Beam's platform helps government administer programs end-to-end, including application, eligibility determination, case management, payment, and reporting -- from simple programs like emergency relief to the most complex like housing voucher programs.

Offering the best of both worlds, Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah is the largest school in the state, but still manages to provide students the personal attention of a smaller school. Academics span a broad range of disciplines and subjects, including Art History, Aviation Maintenance, Brick Masonry, Chinese, Computer Technology, Cosmetology, Film, International Studies, Medical Coding and Pyro-Technology, among many others. Student life is also varied. At its Grand Theatre, SLCC features performances of popular and classic plays with local professional actors. There is also a film festival, a lecture series, a student-run radio station and newspaper, and a number of student clubs and organizations. Student services also provide the full range of academic, career planning and personal resources. However, while Salt Lake’s campus may abound with options, students are given the same amount of individual attention found at a small, private school. With a low faculty to student ratiom classes are kept small and professors numerous and accessible enough to meet privately with students as well. While many students use their Salt Lake degree to forge a new career, a large number also transfer to such schools as Brigham Young University. Since tuition at Salt Lake is significantly lower than that of a university, attending Salt Lake for the first two years of their bachelor’s lowers student’s expenses by a lot. Financial aid and payment plans are also available to those who qualify. Students interested in admissions may apply online. Once admitted, all students must also take a placement test.

New Markets Venture Partners, founded in 2003 and based in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area, is a prominent venture capital firm specializing in early and growth-stage investments. The firm focuses on transformative companies within the education and workforce technology sectors, aiming to achieve both strong financial returns and positive social impact. With a team of partners who bring decades of experience in investment and education, New Markets maintains strategic relationships with various educational institutions and innovation centers. This network enables the firm to deliver exceptional value to its portfolio companies, supporting their growth and success throughout the investment process.

Brighthive is a non-profit organization focused on connecting data responsibly and meaningfully to foster informed decision-making and collaboration. It has developed a networking and analytics management platform that enhances business value and collective impact through data collaboration. The platform simplifies the legal, technical, and governance workflows required for cross-enterprise data partnerships, facilitating the creation of combined data resources. By automating the process for members to connect, standardize, and securely share data, Brighthive supports businesses in establishing and managing various governance frameworks, ultimately promoting cooperation and informed action in the data ecosystem.

Credly, Inc. operates a platform that specializes in verifying, sharing, and managing digital badges and credentials, which represent a variety of verified skills, abilities, and certifications. The company serves a diverse clientele, including educational institutions, employers, and professional associations, facilitating the translation of learning experiences into professional opportunities through trusted digital credentials. Credly provides tools and resources, such as the Open Credit API and Credly SDKs, to support the creation and distribution of these credentials. By leveraging its global network of credential issuers, Credly helps organizations address skills gaps, enhance talent management, and make informed hiring decisions. Founded in 2012 and based in New York, Credly is dedicated to transforming how knowledge and skills are recognized and communicated in the workforce.

Viridis Learning, Inc. is an education technology company based in New York that focuses on workforce education and human capital solutions tailored for the middle-skill workforce. The company operates a platform designed to train, certify, and connect middle-skill employees with suitable employers. Through its offerings, Viridis provides training programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials, thereby facilitating job placement for individuals seeking to enter, sustain, or advance in the middle-skill labor market. The courses available include specialized training in areas such as residential concrete, advanced residential construction supervision, energy management, and public space maintenance. Viridis Learning aims to address skill deficiencies by aligning training with the needs of local employers, supporting both workforce development and economic growth.

Viridis Learning, Inc. is an education technology company based in New York that focuses on workforce education and human capital solutions tailored for the middle-skill workforce. The company operates a platform designed to train, certify, and connect middle-skill employees with suitable employers. Through its offerings, Viridis provides training programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials, thereby facilitating job placement for individuals seeking to enter, sustain, or advance in the middle-skill labor market. The courses available include specialized training in areas such as residential concrete, advanced residential construction supervision, energy management, and public space maintenance. Viridis Learning aims to address skill deficiencies by aligning training with the needs of local employers, supporting both workforce development and economic growth.

Welcome to BridgeEdU, an innovative educational experience that is The First Year of College Reinvented. This is not an alternative to college or a traditional ‘gap year’: BridgeEdU is a personalized, affordable year or semester that will be a new on-ramp to your success in higher education and beyond.

Credly, Inc. operates a platform that specializes in verifying, sharing, and managing digital badges and credentials, which represent a variety of verified skills, abilities, and certifications. The company serves a diverse clientele, including educational institutions, employers, and professional associations, facilitating the translation of learning experiences into professional opportunities through trusted digital credentials. Credly provides tools and resources, such as the Open Credit API and Credly SDKs, to support the creation and distribution of these credentials. By leveraging its global network of credential issuers, Credly helps organizations address skills gaps, enhance talent management, and make informed hiring decisions. Founded in 2012 and based in New York, Credly is dedicated to transforming how knowledge and skills are recognized and communicated in the workforce.