Growing Inland Achievement

Category: Information

  • GIA Launches IEsuccess.org: A New Resource for College Exploration and Success in the Inland Empire

    GIA Launches IEsuccess.org: A New Resource for College Exploration and Success in the Inland Empire

    GIA is excited to announce the launch of IEsuccess.org, a new website designed to support students, parents, and educators in the Inland Empire. This platform provides step-by-step guides for financial aid applications, a directory of Inland Empire colleges, and tips and tools for college success. While the current focus of content is primarily on high school students, additional information for other groups will be added over time.

    The development of IEsuccess.org was made possible through collaboration with numerous regional partners. Jake Poore, Director of Communication at GIA, acknowledges their contributions: “We appreciate the support from institutions and partners across the Inland Empire who have helped make this resource available.”

    Looking ahead, the website will expand to include live college counseling, job search resources, and information on apprenticeships and job training. Ann Marie Sakrekoff, COO at GIA, explains the motivation behind the project: “Our research indicates that online searches are a primary method for students and families to make college decisions. The Inland Empire has many high-quality colleges and universities but lacked a comprehensive directory and support resource to inform and guide these decisions.”

    This initiative aligns with GIA’s goal of promoting educational equity and increasing the postsecondary educational attainment rate in the Inland Empire, a region currently among the lowest college attainment rate in the U.S. for areas with populations over one million. Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of GIA, underscores the website’s potential impact: “This website will enable us to reach more students and families with information and resources, helping to close educational attainment gaps and support educational equity in our region.”

    Community members are encouraged to share information about IEsuccess.org through their channels. For those interested in contributing content or promoting the site, please contact Jake Poore at jake@gia.echofactory.dev.

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) serves the Inland Empire region of Southern California—the 12th largest metropolitan statistical area in the U.S., including over 4.7 million residents and over one million students. GIA supports a regional cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit, and business partners, collectively working to achieve a shared vision of educational and economic success. GIA’s shared vision is that by 2035, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will be widely recognized for their educated workforce, thriving communities, and vibrant economy that creates prosperity for all.

  • Two-County Education Collaborative Appoints Ann Marie Sakrekoff as Interim President & CEO

    Two-County Education Collaborative Appoints Ann Marie Sakrekoff as Interim President & CEO

    Photo Caption: Ann Marie Sakrekoff facilitates a leadership workshop on local education challenges and opportunities. Sakrekoff leads the two-county education collaborative to expand our educated workforce, thriving communities, and a vibrant economy that creates prosperity for all.  Photo by GIA staff.

    Sakrekoff will lead the organization while the board searches for a permanent CEO. A national search will start now with a new CEO expected by the Fall of 2023.

    INLAND EMPIRE, CA – Ann Marie Sakrekoff has been named Interim President & CEO of Growing Inland Achievement (GIA), effective May 15, following the retirement of Dr. Carlos Ayala.

    GIA serves San Bernardino and Riverside Counties as a regional, cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit and business partners in the Inland Empire; collectively, they work towards a shared vision of educational and economic success.

    Sakrekoff has over 20 years of higher education and nonprofit leadership experience, including her current role as GIA’s Chief Operating Officer.

    Sakrekoff stated, “I am proud and excited to take on the Interim CEO role during such an exciting time for GIA as we continue building on our service to the Inland Empire educational network of students, families, institutions, and community partners. GIA will remain focused on its mission, impact, and growth while we search for our next permanent CEO.”

    Diana Rodriguez, GIA Board Member and Chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District praised Sakrekoff’s experience.

    “Ann Marie’s passion for helping Inland Empire students achieve their college dreams is truly inspiring. With her deep understanding of the challenges facing students in the region, she is committed to ensuring that every student has access to the resources they need to succeed,” said Rodriguez.

    “Whether through innovative programming, advocacy efforts, or community outreach, Ann Marie is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. Her unwavering commitment to this cause has made her an invaluable asset to Growing Inland Achievement, and we are confident that under her leadership as Interim CEO, the organization will continue to make great strides in improving educational outcomes for students throughout the Inland Empire,” Rodriguez added.

    Sakrekoff was the first employee hired by GIA’s Board of Directors in 2005, helping to lead the organization since its inception.

    “Ann Marie has served as the operations leader for the GIA since its early days. She has been a steady force and an excellent collaborative leader focused on advancing our region’s higher education and workforce goals,” said Sheila Thornton, GIA Board Member and CEO of OneFuture Coachella Valley. “Her dedication to student success is evident throughout her work. We’re grateful to Ann Marie for being willing to serve in this interim position.”

    GIA’s board of directors anticipates launching a search for a permanent President & CEO in the coming months.

    “Ann Marie is an exceptional leader poised to continue GIA’s efforts to increase equitable educational attainment in the Inland Empire,” said Dr. Kim Wilcox, GIA Board Chair and Chancellor of UC Riverside. “The board fully believes in her abilities to lead the organization while we search for a permanent CEO.”

    Growing Inland Achievement, serves San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, in a regional cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit, and business partners in the Inland Empire, bringing more than $20 million and collectively working towards a shared vision of educational and economic success.

    About Growing Inland Achievement

    Growing Inland Achievement, which serves both San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, is a regional cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit, and business partners in the Inland Empire, collectively working towards a shared vision of educational and economic success.

    GIA staff support this work by researching issues and opportunities, developing financial resources for the region, and connecting diverse stakeholders across the two-county region of the Inland Empire.

    GIA’s shared vision is that by 2035, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will be widely recognized for their educated workforce, thriving communities, and vibrant economy that creates prosperity for all. 

  • Growing Inland Achievement to Host Workshops on Critical Issues Affecting Students

    Growing Inland Achievement to Host Workshops on Critical Issues Affecting Students

    GIA is pleased to announce the receipt of a grant for $25K from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to support a new workshop series in partnership with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and Riverside County Office of Education. The series titled Building Better from Disruption expands on last fall’s Teens, COVID, and Coping discussions among the region’s two County Superintendents and several school districts.   

    The pandemic has changed education dynamics, affecting students, parents, and educators in ways we had never imagined. National events over the past year have further highlighted the fact that racial inequities in education can no longer be ignored. As we move through the pandemic and into the next iteration of education, there are a multitude of issues that must be addressed.

    “The goal of this workshop series is to involve all 56 school districts in the region, bringing in experts on such subjects as Dual Enrollment; Learning Loss and Learning Gains during COVID; Equity Insights; and Student Assessments, among others,” said Dr. Carlos Ayala, President & CEO at GIA. “Our goal is that these workshops will lead to further discussions and research into selected topics with an actionable plan for systemwide change.” 

    GIA is grateful to the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation for their generous support of this workshop series and their work throughout the country to improve educational outcomes and foster a more equitable society.  

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  • Recovery with Equity: A Roadmap for Higher Education After the Pandemic

    Recovery with Equity: A Roadmap for Higher Education After the Pandemic

    Student success in higher education is critical to the health of our state and regional economies. Since the global pandemic struck, Californians and postsecondary institutions alike have been grappling with extraordinary challenges. And long before, it was clear that many California students faced significant structural barriers to earning a college degree. California needs a recovery that courageously addresses inequities in post-secondary education that have created and exacerbated wealth gaps. 

    The Recovery with Equity Taskforce was established by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Senior Policy Advisor for Higher Education, Dr. Lande Ajose, in consultation with the California Governor’s Council for Post-Secondary Education, to recast today’s challenges as an opportunity to help California’s economy recover with a post-secondary ecosystem that is more equitable, resilient, coordinated, and aligned with the economic needs of the state.

    With a focus on equitable student achievement and in partnership with education leaders across the state, the Taskforce produced Recovery with Equity: A Roadmap for Higher Education After the Pandemic. This report includes a set of interconnected recommendations aimed at ensuring that the opportunity for success and economic mobility is equitable and available to all:

    Fostering Inclusive Institutions: Institutional cultures and approaches to teaching and learning that work for all learners, especially those left behind.

    1. Improve Faculty, Staff, and Administrator Diversity
    2. Cultivate Inclusive, Engaging, and Equity-Oriented Learning Environments
    3. Retain Students through Inclusive Supports

    Streamlining Pathways to Degrees: An integrated statewide system for admission and transfer to provide clear, easy-to-navigate pathways to degrees.

    1. Establish an Integrated Technology Platform
    2. Streamline and Unify the College Admission Process
    3. Develop a Common Course Numbering System

    Facilitating Student Transitions: High-touch, high-tech guidance and improved academic preparation for college access and success.

    1. Provide High-Tech, High-Touch Advising
    2. Support College Preparation and Early Credit

    Simplifying Supports for Student Stability: Resources and structures packaged and simplified to help students meet basic, digital, and financial aid needs.

    1. Establish an Integrated Admissions Platform
    2. Subsidize Internet Access for Eligible Students
    3. Improve College Affordability

    Higher education will play a critical role in our state’s economic recovery from the pandemic—and in driving prosperity for California’s future. Our state will thrive when we eliminate income inequality and disparities of credential and degree attainment by race and geography. 

    We encourage you to learn more about these recommendations that our state can pursue to ensure California’s public post-secondary institutions stride toward this vision for a better future, and invite you to join us in considering ways that our network can contribute to the achievement of these goals.

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  • Ecocycle Mapping Event Recap

    Ecocycle Mapping Event Recap

    On December 2, 2020, Growing Inland Achievement and Collective Impact Forum hosted a training session on Ecocycle Mapping. The concept of an ecocycle draws on biological research into the closed-loop system of development, conservation, destruction, and renewal seen in natural (ecological) systems. The ecocycle suggests that the long-term sustainability of adaptive organizations and initiatives requires that elements of those organizations undergo systematic processes of destruction and renewal.

    Participants explored the process of plotting an organization’s various programs, initiatives, and efforts onto the ecocycle framework to visualize how resources and energy are distributed across different phases of the ecocycle. The concept has proven to be valuable for those managing a broad portfolio of programs and overseeing complex initiatives such as collective impact work.

    For those unable to attend, or seeking a refresher on the workshop content, you may find the Zoom recording of the meeting and supplemental documents linked below.

    Zoom Recording

    Watch the recording of the Ecocycle Mapping Workshop.

    Meeting Documents

    View the presentation slide deck and workshop handout.

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