Guest Blog: Here’s To Strong Women
Ruth Ray Jackson, associate vice president for academic affairs, Langston University
Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them. -Unknown Several years ago, I saw this quote posted
Posts For Tag: "Guest Blogger"
Guest Blog: I am not supposed to be here…
Dr. A. Katrise Perera, superintendent, Gresham-Barlow School District
When I reflect on my formal education – and my leadership journey to lead a community of learners as the superintendent despite statistical disparities and
Guest Blog: An Interview with the 2019 School Counselor of the Year
Brian Coleman, school counseling department chair, Jones College Prep High School and 2019 School Counselor of the Year
What are some of the challenges in school counseling today? The most persistent challenges I see are: Imbalanced counselor-to-student ratios. The absence of school counselors in
American College Application Campaign: Preparation Pays Off in Virginia
Lisa King, Senior Communications Specialist, American College Application Campaign
In January, ACT announced that the American College Access Campaign (ACAC), previously housed at ACE, was becoming part of ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning.
New Report Out On Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education
Shannon Hayes, policy analyst, State & Federal Policy
Anyone involved in education can tell you that there are starkly disparate outcome patterns, on a number of different measures, for students of different races
Lunch Buddy Program Tries to Connect Kids to College Planning
Lew Montgomery, program director
What is the ACT U Lunch Buddy program? ACT U Lunch Buddies is a program guided by our partnership with the Iowa City Community School
Black History Month: Celebrating Resilience, Persistence & Determination
Greg Ratliff, VP
This blog originally appeared on act.org. Just as I started high school in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford signed a proclamation declaring February as Black
Guest Blog: What It Means To Be A School Counselor Today
Kirsten Perry, K-12 school counseling specialist, Chicago Public Schools
February 4-8 is National School Counseling Week. We are highlighting the important work school counselors do and the challenges they face in schools today. What
Guest Blog: My Mentor: Mrs. Jensen
Bre Kenney, freshman, St. Mary’s University
January is National Mentoring Month. Mentors can play an important role in young peoples’ lives and the need for mentors has never been greater. This
Dual Credit Enrollment Helps You Jump Start Your College Career (Part 2)
Ashtin Wade, senior, Early High School
ACT recently hosted a convening, which gathered together several postsecondary institutions who are participating in the U.S. Department of Education’s Pell Grants Dual Enrollment Experimental
Dual Credit Classes Made Possible Through Pell Grant
Victoria Guerrero, junior, Early High School
ACT recently hosted a convening, which gathered together several postsecondary institutions who are participating in the U.S. Department of Education’s Pell Grants Dual Enrollment Experimental
We’re Still Here – Why Aren’t You Teaching To or About Us?
Susan C. Faircloth, Ph.D. (Coharie), professor & director, School of Education, Colorado State University
“Don’t they know we’re [American Indians] still alive?” As an adult, I’ve grappled with this question many times. More often than not, I’m ashamed to
College Horizons Fills College Access Gaps
Dinée R. Dorame (Navajo), associate director, College Horizons
College Horizons is a nonprofit organization that encourages and facilitates the higher education of Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native youth. This year marks
FAFSA Completion: A Key to Increasing College Access for All Students
Kim Cook, executive director, National College Access Network
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA, is the key to unlocking federal, state, and institutional aid to help pay for college.
We Need American Indian and Alaska Native Educators
Susan Faircloth, Ph.D. (Coharie), professor & director, School of Education, Colorado State University
Growing up, I was certain I would never be an educator. I dreamed of being a lawyer, FBI agent, world traveler – anything but a
Closing Attainment Gaps at Native-Serving Institutions
Ken Pepion (Blackfeet), senior project director, WICHE
Recognizing the widening gaps in the postsecondary attainment of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) compared to majority students, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher
College Fund Creates Pathways for Native Student Success
Matthew Makomenaw (Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians), College Pathways manager, American Indian College Fund
The demand for a college degree in the workplace is increasing, putting Native Americans at a disadvantage. With only 13.8 percent of American Indian and
ACTNext ETCPS 2018
Andrew Cantine, manager, ACTNext Publications & Communications
From October 3‒4, ACTNext convened its annual Education Technology and Computational Psychometrics Symposium (ETCPS) in Iowa City, a recognized hub for innovative psychometric research. The
We Are Still Here: Indigenous Students and College Equity
Cheryl Crazy Bull (Sicangu Lakota), president & CEO, College Fund
Equity, access, and visibility for and of indigenous peoples is the heart of the American Indian College Fund’s mission. We believe deeply in the power
The Power of College Matching: Charting a Course to Graduation
Jasmine Pachnanda, chief college officer, Alliance College-Ready Public School
Alliance is one of the largest and most successful nonprofit charter school networks in the nation, operating 25 high-performing, public charter schools that educate 13,000
In Search of the American Dream
Oscar Miranda, student, George Mason University
I am a first-generation immigrant and college student. I come from a small poor town in Guatemala where opportunity and a future look dim and
I Never Stopped Fighting For That Degree
Renzo Reyes, consulting analyst, Accenture
Ever since my family and I immigrated to this country from Peru, my main objective was to receive a good education. Anytime I tried to
Insights From the Road: Roadtrip Nation Beating the Odds Documentary
By: Amy Nicknish, program manager Imagine what it’s like to be homeless as a child and going from one foster family to the next with
Intentionally Hispanic-Serving Institutions Foster Students’ Well-Being
Shannon Hayes, policy analyst, State & Federal Policy
There are currently 492 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the United States—up from 189 just over two decades ago—which collectively comprise 15 percent of American colleges
ALAS: Advocating For Underrepresented and Latino Students
September 15-October 15 is traditionally observed as Hispanic Heritage Month. We will feature stories from Hispanic Americans who will share their journeys, their struggles, and
Narrowing the homework gap
Raeal Moore, PhD, senior research scientist, and Dan Vitale, policy editor, ACT
Imagine going to school and being asked to complete a homework assignment that requires you to search for material online and write a brief summary
Work and Learn Programs Demonstrate Long-Lasting Effects
By: John H. Pryor, researcher, Pryor Education Insights LLC Evidence has been mounting to show the positive outcomes for college students engaging in experiential education
Vamos a seguir adelante (Let’s keep pushing forward)!
Alex Casillas, principal research scientist, ACT
September 15-October 15 is traditionally observed as Hispanic Heritage Month. We will feature stories from Hispanic Americans who will share their journeys, their struggles, and
Celebrating the College Application Season
By Melissa Caperton, director, American College Application Campaign September means the start of a new school year, football season and college application season. The American
Juan Garcia: Teachable Moments Only Made Me Stronger
By: Juan Garcia, director, Client Relations September 15-October 15 is traditionally observed as Hispanic Heritage Month. We will feature stories from Hispanic Americans who will
Audra M. King: Be open to possibility and to people who are different than you
By: Audra M. King, events coordinator, University of Iowa Center for Advancement As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating
Insights from Corinne, Faika, and Nikki
By: Shannon Hayes, Policy Analyst, State & Federal Policy As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A
Katie Gragnaniello: Don’t worry so much about where you fit in
By: Katie Gragnaniello, Manager, Policy Communications, State & Federal Policy As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students.
Tina McCoy Hearn: Growing up First-Gen in the Rural Midwest
By Tina McCoy Hearn, director for social impact, ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we
Karolyn Trumpold: Parental support early helps children succeed
By: Karolyn Trumpold, program coordinator, Talent Strategy As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A First-Generation College
Kim Bauer: Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t
By: Kim Bauer, director, Implementation Services As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A First-Generation College Student
Savanah Schott: Breathe and do your best
By: Savanah Schott, senior program manager, State Engagement As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A First-Generation
Ada Woo: Try to learn something from everyone around you
By: Ada Woo, senior director, Strategy Implementation and Operations, ACTNext As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students.
Nate Scheib: I recommitted myself and went back to school
By: Nate Scheib, recruiter, Talent Acquisition As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A First-Generation College Student
Reflections from Machia: The Summer Before I Attend College
As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A First-Generation College Student is defined as a student whose
Teresa Niner: I wanted to have more opportunities
By: Teresa Niner, senior manager, Benefits & Wellness, Talent Strategy As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students.
Becky Bobek: I loved learning
By: Becky Bobek, director, Learning, Assessment, & Navigation Experiences Research As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students.
First Generation College Students Face Challenges in Achieving a Degree
By: Alex Casillas, Principal Research Scientist, Design-based Research, ACT The number of first generation college students (FGCS) in the United States is higher than many
Guest Blog: Building a College Promise Program
By: Martha Kanter, Executive Director of the College Promise Campaign, and Yanelle Cruz, Policy and Development Fellow, College Promise Campaign At the College Promise Campaign,
ACT, a Leader in Measurement, Broadens Focus to Student Success
By: Tom Vander Ark, CEO of Getting Smart, contributor to Education Week This article originally appeared on June 18, 2018 in Education Week and Getting
Community College: Making a Difference
By: Dr. Martha J. Kanter, Executive Director, College Promise Campaign Why National Community College Month? Community colleges change lives and build productive, happier, and healthier
Paying It Forward
Maya Cade
By: Maya Cade-Special to ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning My first introduction to the concept of paying it forward was watching the 2000 feature
Women in STEM: You Belong
This post was first published on ACT’s Blog on 3/15/18 By: Alina Von Davier, Vice President, ACTNext Last week marked International Women’s Day. Recognizing such
You Belong: Yolanda Norman Inspires First-Generation College Students
We are honored and excited to have our friend, supporter, and advocate for first-generation college students, Yolanda Norman, share her experience about being the first
Mentorship: The Power of Investing in Others
We are thrilled to have our friend Eric Waldo, Executive Director of the Reach Higher initiative, share his experiences with his mentee, Verlando Brown. Eric
Mentorship: A Significant Role in a Student’s Journey
We are excited to have Dr. Laura Owen, our friend and the Director of the Center for Postsecondary Readiness and Success at American University, guest blog
Interview with Road-Tripper Esther
Last summer, we teamed up with Roadtrip Nation and Better Make Room to send three young people who are in college (or on their way!)
Interview with Road-Tripper Estephanie
Last summer, we teamed up with Roadtrip Nation and Better Make Room to send three young people who are in college (or on their way!)
“What it is like to be a college student”: Taking a closer look at dual enrollment
As a first-generation college student from California’s Central Valley, my story mirrors the experience of many underrepresented students across the country who struggle in their transition to higher education.
School Time Creates Social Time
Amber O'Connor, Program Coordinator
By: Amber O’Connor, Program Coordinator Back to school time has always been my favorite time of year. While I loved being in the classroom and
Guest Blog: Roseina Britton
Roseina Britton
Interning with ACT Center for Equity and Learning was appealing to me because when I hear the term equity, I instantly think of the image
Guest Blog: Maurice Swinney
Maurice Swinney
This summer, we brought education luminaries to our ACT campus as a continuation of the Center for Equity in Learning’s Distinguished Lecture Series. We were
Guest Blog: Dr. Bach Mai Dolly Nguyen
Dr. Bach Mai Dolly Nguyen
In June, the Institute for Immigration, Globalization, and Education at the University of California, Los Angeles, with support from the ACT Center for Equity in
Guest Blog: Dr. Joyce Brown
Dr. Joyce Brown
Last week, ACT hosted our Distinguished Lecture Series, inviting exceptional educators who are reaching underserved students in extraordinary ways to our Iowa City campus. Joyce
Guest Blog: Michael Bonner
Michael Bonner
By: Michael Bonner Last week, ACT hosted our Distinguished Lecture Series, which focused on exceptional educators who are reaching underserved students in extraordinary ways. Michael
Roadtrip Nation’s Willie Witte: Lessons from the Road
Roadtrip Nation is sending three students on a cross-country road trip to interview inspiring people who have overcome struggles of all kinds to complete their