Growing Inland Achievement

Author: Growing Inland Achievement

  • Growing Inland Achievement Receives $25,000 BofA Grant for its Adult Continuing Education / Completion Program in the Inland Empire to Expand Access to Adult Education

    Growing Inland Achievement Receives $25,000 BofA Grant for its Adult Continuing Education / Completion Program in the Inland Empire to Expand Access to Adult Education

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) is pleased to announce a $25,000 grant from Bank of America to support its campaign to reconnect Inland Empire adults with postsecondary education opportunities.

    With ongoing support from Bank of America, which began in 2018, GIA has prioritized the Inland Empire adult learner population through its Returning Adult Action Network Team (RE ANT), focusing on research, sharing regional successes, and piloting returning adult support initiatives.

    The program reaches out to adults by messaging them about degree or credential completion opportunities and providing the necessary resources for prospective students to return.

    “We are incredibly grateful to Bank of America for their continued support,” said Ashish Vaidya, President & CEO of GIA. “This continued partnership will enable us to further expand GIA’s returning adult education initiatives and significantly impact the community, particularly in the areas of educational access and equity.”

    “Helping adults with no degree or credential return to school to achieve their educational goals can significantly impact their economic security and prosperity,” said Ida Hermosillo, Director of Network Engagement at GIA. “Sometimes prospective students just need a little guidance and a reminder that returning to school is achievable. We appreciate Bank of America’s ongoing partnership to help us facilitate those connections.”

    “One of the biggest challenges to the economic future of the Inland Empire continues to be the education gap, as employers and the growing jobs sector struggle to hire workers with necessary skills and educational background. That is why the work of Growing Inland Achievement is so critical right now,” said Bansree Parikh, Bank of America Inland Empire president. “GIA is an important partner in our focus on workforce development.”   

    About Growing Inland Achievement (GIA)
    Growing Inland Achievement is a regional K-16 collaborative organization focused on improving educational and economic outcomes in the Inland Empire. Through collaboration with various regional stakeholders, GIA aims to create a thriving community where all residents can access quality education and economic opportunities.

  • Weekly GIA Education Report

    Weekly GIA Education Report

    The GIA Education Report

    The GIA Education Report with Alyssa Silva is your go-to source for a quick and comprehensive weekly update on the latest in education. In this 3.5 minute report, Alyssa delves into pressing national and local stories, offering insightful commentary on the ever-evolving landscape of education. Produced by Growing Inland Achievement, this engaging podcast keeps you informed and connected with the most relevant developments shaping the educational sphere. Tune in each week to hear the latest in Southern California education news!

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    More About Us

    OUR HOST

    Alyssa Silva is a dedicated professional at the intersection of education and multimedia production. With a rich background, she served as the Student Program Director for Paws Radio at California State University San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus in 2020. During the same period, Alyssa showcased her podcasting expertise as the host of the “Educated” podcast.

    In June 2021, Alyssa transitioned to a remote role as a Multimedia Production Specialist at Growing Inland Achievement (GIA). Her impact on the award-winning “Education Insight” podcast has been substantial. Notably, she took the reins as the Co-Host of the “Education Chat”, guiding insightful conversations to elevate student voice on education-related topics.

    Alyssa’s journey underscores her commitment to elevating educational discourse through multimedia production. Currently, she is spearheading her newest endeavor as the host of The GIA Education Report, further establishing herself as a prominent voice in the realm of education and media.

    STREAMING ONLINE

    You can stream our show on the GIA website and our YouTube channel!

    On Air

    LIVE RADIO BROACAST

    New episodes of The GIA Ed Report will premiere on April 9th! Tune in every Tuesday at 6:45 AM, 8:45 AM & 5:45 PM on 91.9 KVCR FM and are available to stream here!

    The GIA Education Report is made possible through partnerships and support from: The College Futures Foundation, 91.9 KVCR FM, and California State University, San Bernardino. 

  • GIA Receives $234,840 Award to Enhance Financial Aid Awareness and Completion in the Inland Empire

    GIA Receives $234,840 Award to Enhance Financial Aid Awareness and Completion in the Inland Empire

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) has received a grant of $234,840 to support financial aid awareness and completion efforts in the Inland Empire. Administered by Educational Credit Management Corporation, this funding is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s FAFSA Student Support Strategy, which includes $50M in funding distributed nationwide to address delays and challenges associated with the new 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) forms.

    The U.S. Department of Education’s FAFSA Student Support Strategy aims to increase the number of students completing the 2024-25 FAFSA and CADAA applications, particularly first-time college students and students from underserved communities. Since the FAFSA form became available on December 30, 2023, more than 8.95 million have been successfully submitted. However, the new application’s changes in eligibility criteria, terminology, and submission timeline have created significant barriers for many students and their families, resulting in much lower submission numbers than in previous years.

    Like many other metro areas in the U.S., recent data shows financial aid application submissions in the Inland Empire have dropped considerably compared to previous years.

    “As of the end of May, we have 13.2% fewer applications submitted by students in the Inland Empire compared to the same time last year,” said Dr. Sorrel Stielstra, Director of Research at GIA. “While the numbers have been improving in recent weeks, this funding is critical to help continue to close the completion gap and get financial aid dollars into the hands of as many students as possible.”

    Supporting Students and Families in the Inland Empire

    GIA has a proven track record in supporting financial aid completion. As the Cash4College (C4C) Regional Coordinating Organization for the Inland Empire, GIA supports hundreds of financial aid workshops annually for students and families, hosts office hours for live support, and promotes financial aid awareness through communication campaigns.

    GIA staff distributing a scholarship check to a local student during a Cash for College event.

    “This funding will enable GIA to accelerate critical financial aid support to students and families in the Inland Empire over the next three months,” said Julissa Loza Mendez, Assistant Director of Network Engagement and Cash for College Regional Coordinator at GIA. “We will continue to reach as many students and families in the Inland Empire as possible.”

    Support provided by GIA will include extended live office hours for assistance with financial aid applications, submission clinics in partnership with local schools, districts, and community organizations, and enhanced communication outreach to parents and students through multiple channels.

    GIA staff and community partners after a financial aid workshop with students at Montclair High School.

    “Growing Inland Achievement is committed to ensuring that every student in the Inland Empire has the resources and support they need to access higher education,” said Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of GIA. “This award will enable us to expand our efforts and reach even more students and families, helping to close the financial aid gap and promote educational equity in our region.”

    For more information about GIA’s initiatives and the impact of this award, please contact Jake Poore, Director of Communication, at jake@gia.echofactory.dev.

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    About Growing Inland Achievement (GIA)

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) is a regional K-16 collaborative dedicated to achieving educational and economic equity in the Inland Empire. GIA facilitates partnerships with schools, colleges, universities, and community organizations to improve educational outcomes and support students and families. For more information, visit InlandEmpireGIA.org.

     

  • Equity in Policy Summit Recap

    Equity in Policy Summit Recap

    GIA is excited to share a recap of our Equity in Policy Summit, which we recently hosted in collaboration with Student-Ready Strategies (SRS). The summit, which took place on May 9, 2024, at the Riverside Convention Center, focused on the role institutional policy has in shaping equitable student experiences and outcomes.

    Attendees delved into strategies for reviewing and reforming policy frameworks to better align with equity goals. These discussions provided a platform to explore innovative approaches and identify areas for improvement within existing policies. The discussions also emphasized the need for diverse stakeholders and voices in the policy development process to ensure that policies are inclusive and reflective of the community’s needs.

    Finally, participants learned about effective routines and strategies from model institutions that can be adopted to enhance policy effectiveness. These insights offered practical tools and approaches for attendees to implement within their own organizations.

    We are eager to see the positive outcomes that will stem from this incredible event. To learn more about the summit and access additional resources, including summit photos, click the button below.

  • Stream: Uplift San Bernardino Radio Show Featuring Dr. Ashish Vaidya

    Stream: Uplift San Bernardino Radio Show Featuring Dr. Ashish Vaidya

    Stream Uplift San Bernardino Radio Show’s latest episode and hear GIA’s CEO, Dr. Ashish Vaidya engage in a thought-provoking discussion on the correlation between education and economic prosperity in the Inland Empire. Dr. Vaidya delves into the transformative power of education and explores its role in shaping individuals and communities.