Joint Letter Supporting FY26 Funding for Postsecondary Student Success Grants
Expresses support for appropriating at least $55M for the PSSG program.
Career & Workforce Readiness
AASCU Members are preparing students for evolving career pathways, so they graduate with the skills, experiences, and knowledge needed for lifelong success.
The Value
- Data-driven coaching empowers student success. Use demographic and career-outcome data to guide tailored coaching, improving retention, graduation, and workforce results for all students.
- Career outcomes embedded across education strengthen social mobility. Integrating career readiness into learning environments enables all students to link academics with meaningful post-college outcomes.
- Early career pipelines support local economies. Career engagement that starts early and continues throughout college connects students to regional workforce needs and supports long-term economic growth.
The Practice
- Use data to drive career outcomes. Track and analyze demographic and outcome data—such as persistence, graduation, and job placement—to continuously refine coaching and advising models.
- Embed career guidance across the campus and curriculum. Align career development with academic milestones and ensure all faculty, staff, and advisers are engaged in supporting career outcomes.
- Ensure every student accesses relevant career resources. Proactively design and deliver programming that meets students where they are and supports those who may benefit most.
- Integrate experiential learning with career outcomes. Weave internships, mentorships, and career-focused activities into coursework to connect academic learning with real-world employment.
- Equip career champions through professional development. Provide faculty and staff with the training and tools to serve as consistent, high-quality career advisers.
- Build early and ongoing career connections. Support career exploration, partnering with K12 institutions and employers to provide real-world experiences through internships and mentorship.
Values in Practice
MEMBER STORIES
CURRENT PROGRAMS
A national initiative to advance career connected high-impact practices (HIPs).
A grant opportunity to advance quality education-to-career guidance.
FEATURED RESOURCES
LATEST NEWS
Access & Affordability
AASCU Members are expanding access and lowering financial barriers so students of every background can successfully experience a high-quality education.
The Value
- Access for students from low income households fuels upward mobility and strengthens local economies through a more educated, skilled workforce.
- Fair admissions open doors for students, enriching campuses and building a more adaptable society.
- Honoring adult learners’ prior experience speeds degree completion and meets workforce needs with skilled, career-ready graduates.
The Practice
- Put access front and center. Reflect your commitment to access in your mission statement, website, strategic plans, and data reporting.
- Tailor financial aid and resources. Provide clear, accessible information on financial support, especially for unique student populations.
- Break down admissions barriers. Reduce or eliminate fees, reconsider testing requirements, and ensure counselors are accessible and supportive to all applicants.
- Expand early college opportunities. Offer dual enrollment, summer bridge programs, and other pathways that introduce students to college early.
- Invest in student persistence. Develop scholarship programs that offer both financial assistance and ongoing support to help students enroll and succeed.
- Support multiple pathways to degrees. Promote credit-for-prior-learning options and create strong transfer agreements to honor students’ previous experiences.
Values in Practice
MEMBER IMPACT
63%
of AASCU members had a net price below $15,000 in academic year 2021-22, compared with 48% of non-members.
41%
of students enrolled at AASCU member institutions are Pell-eligible compared to 33% of students enrolled at non-member public four-year institutions and 35% of students enrolled in community college.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
Related Programs
A multi-year cohort of institutions striving to accelerate student success.
Adapt and evolve to meet the unique needs of current and future students.
Student Success
The Latest
Discover the latest news, events, and resources designed to help AASCU members advance student success on their campuses. Filter by focus area to find timely insights and practical tools you can apply in your own context.
Resources
Forbes.com: “Regional Public Universities Drive Social Mobility. Rankings—and The Nation—Need To Catch Up”
AASCU President Charles Welch writes on higher education and public institutions.
Accelerating Graduation With Expanded Credit Initiative
Hear the story behind Lehman College’s Credit for Prior Learning initiative.
Forbes.com: “Fixing Research Funding Starts With The Institutions Doing The Work”
As proposed cuts threaten research nationwide, RPUs are stepping up.
Building Bridges: Educating, Leading, Understanding
Select proceedings from the 2024 Summer Meeting of Academic and Student Affairs leaders.
AASCU Statement on New Carnegie Classification
Ninety-seven percent of public four-year universities achieving the status are RPUs.
Postsecondary Value Symposium
Advance postsecondary value through strategy, storytelling, and action.
