Growing Inland Achievement

Category: Initiatives

  • GIA Advances $10M Initiative to Support Inland Empire Student Success

    GIA Advances $10M Initiative to Support Inland Empire Student Success

    20 Local Postsecondary Institutions Partner in Higher Endeavor Initiative Backed by Gates Foundation

    Inland Empire, CA—Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) announced a significant milestone in its efforts to increase educational and economic success in the Inland Empire: Twenty postsecondary institutions serving the Inland Empire have signed on to participate in a multi-year “Higher Endeavor” initiative aimed at improving student success across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.

    Funded by a $9.6 million grant from the Gates Foundation and bolstered by support from ECMC Foundation, the initiative represents more than $10 million in investment toward postsecondary transformation at scale. GIA is one of six organizations selected nationally to serve in an intermediary capacity, supporting institutions through technical assistance, research, and systems-change strategies.

    With MOUs now signed by 20 local institutions, including public, private, and community colleges, GIA has secured full regional participation in the Higher Endeavor initiative. While other intermediaries in the national effort support institutions across multiple geographies, GIA’s focus is uniquely place-based. Serving the Inland Empire—home to more than 4.7 million residents and the 12th largest metro area in the nation—this milestone reflects an extraordinary level of regional alignment and commitment to improving postsecondary outcomes at scale.

    “This moment underscores the significance of regional collaboration in the Inland Empire,” said Dr. Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of Growing Inland Achievement. “Our colleges and universities are stepping forward together, not just to improve outcomes on their campuses, but to align efforts and share solutions that move the region forward. This is what cross-sector leadership looks like.”

    Participating Institutions:

    • Barstow College
    • California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
    • California State University, Fullerton
    • California State University, San Bernardino
    • California State University, San Marcos
    • College of the Desert
    • Copper Mountain College
    • Crafton Hills College
    • Loma Linda University
    • Moreno Valley College
    • Mt. San Jacinto College
    • Norco College
    • Palo Verde College
    • Riverside City College
    • San Bernardino Valley College
    • University of California, Riverside
    • University of La Verne
    • University of Redlands
    • Victor Valley College
    • Woodbury University

    While a few campuses are located outside the Inland Empire’s geographic boundaries, each serves a substantial number of Inland Empire students and plays a critical role in the region’s educational ecosystem. Their inclusion reflects a shared commitment to increasing opportunity and access for Inland Empire learners.

    Supporting Institutions Through Tailored, Regional Solutions

    Through Higher Endeavor, GIA provides a core set of support to each institution, including:

    • Regional Summits and Workshops focused on shared learning and collaboration
    • Ongoing Professional Development and Coaching tailored to institutional needs
    • Peer Learning Cohorts known as Action Network Teams (ANTs), enabling cross-campus knowledge sharing
    • Customized Technical Assistance, including resource development and data analysis

    The initiative also supports the expanded use of data for decision-making. It helps institutions design strategies to address barriers to student success..

    Tied to a Broader Vision for the Region

    Higher Endeavor directly supports GIA’s new 2030 Strategic Plan, which aims to increase the percentage of working-age adults in the Inland Empire with a postsecondary degree or credential of value from 32% to 70%. This goal aligns with California’s statewide Blueprint for Higher Education and reflects the region’s shared interest in advancing equitable economic mobility.

    “Educational attainment is both a moral and economic imperative,” said Diana Z. Rodriguez, Chancellor of San Bernardino Community College District and GIA Board Chair. “This work not only strengthens our campuses, but also our workforce, our communities, and the region’s future.”

    GIA serves as a coordinating hub for cross-sector collaboration, data-informed strategy, and public-private investment. The Higher Endeavor initiative’s success to date highlights the region’s growing capacity to implement large-scale investments focused on equity-centered educational transformation.

    For more information on Growing Inland Achievement and the Higher Endeavor initiative, visit www.inlandempiregia.org.

    About Growing Inland Achievement
    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) serves the Inland Empire region of Southern California—home to more than 4.7 million residents and over one million students. GIA connects education, government, nonprofit, and business partners around a shared commitment to improving educational attainment and economic mobility. Through its CAIR strategy—Convene, Advocate, Invest, and Research—GIA supports coordinated, data-informed efforts that strengthen outcomes from cradle to career.

    Media Contact:
    Jake Poore
    Director of Communication
    Growing Inland Achievement
    jake@gia.echofactory.dev

     

  • PROPEL AI Symposium 2025

    PROPEL AI Symposium 2025

    Promoting Regional Opportunities for Prosperity and Educational Leadership with AI

    Join us for the 2025 PROPEL AI Symposium

    Connect with educators, industry leaders, and community partners to explore how artificial intelligence can revolutionize education and workforce development. Together, we’ll share insights, innovative strategies, and practical solutions to promote equitable educational attainment and economic mobility in the Inland Empire.

    The 2025 PROPEL AI Symposium will take place on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Santos Manuel Student Union North Conference Center at Cal State San Bernardino.

    Join us for a day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration to drive meaningful change in education and beyond. 

    About Growing Inland Achievement  

    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. 

  • GIA Selected as Client for UCR Master of Public Policy Capstone Project

    GIA Selected as Client for UCR Master of Public Policy Capstone Project

    Growing Inland Achievement selected as a client for UC Riverside’s capstone project to develop policy solutions for returning adult learners in the Inland Empire.

    INLAND EMPIRE, CA – Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) has been selected as a client for this year’s UC Riverside School of Public Policy (SPP) Master of Public Policy (MPP) capstone project. This unique program connects organizations with second-year MPP students to tackle critical issues through applied research and policy analysis.

    GIA’s project will focus on identifying effective policies to support returning adult learners in the Inland Empire. A team of three talented students—Veronica Ibarra, Denise Mayen, and Jesica Santiago—will lead this research under the academic direction of Dr. Andy Crosby, Assistant Professor of Teaching at UCR’s SPP, and with support from the Center for Community Solutions (CCS).

    Dr. Justine Ross, Executive Director of the Center for Community Solutions in UCR’s School of Public Policy shares, “Our Center’s mission is to connect academic research with practice and policy, so we are grateful to count Growing Inland Achievement as a partner in this effort and excited for the UCR School of Public Policy’s master’s students to gain real-world experience developing evidence-based recommendations to the benefit adult learners in our region.” 

    This collaborative effort will run from January to June, delivering actionable insights to inform GIA’s work in fostering equitable educational and economic opportunities for adult learners in the region.

    “We’re excited to collaborate with the exceptional students and faculty at UC Riverside to explore solutions that address the challenges faced by adult learners in our region,” said Ashish Vaidya, CEO of GIA. “This partnership offers a valuable opportunity to bring new insights to an issue that is critical to our mission.”


    About Growing Inland Achievement  

    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. 

  • GIA Relaunches Award-Winning Education Insight Radio Show and Podcast

    GIA Relaunches Award-Winning Education Insight Radio Show and Podcast

    Education Insight Production Team (pictured above, left to right): Tyler Veazey, Corona CA (Production Engineer); Lacey Kendall, Banning, CA (Host and Broadcast Consultant); Alyssa Silva, Coachella, CA (Assistant Producer); Jake Poore, Corona, CA (Executive Producer).

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) is excited to announce the relaunch of its award-winning radio show and podcast, Education Insight, in a new and improved format. Beginning August 22, 2024, Education Insight will air weekly on KVCR 91.9 FM, with an expanded broadcast schedule and format that promises to bring more insights, education topics, and opportunities for listeners to tune in.

    Expanded Broadcast Schedule

    The new format includes three weekly broadcast times on KVCR:

    • Thursdays at 2:00 PM and 6:30 PM
    • Saturdays at 4:00 PM

    In addition to KVCR, Education Insight will also be broadcast at various times throughout the week on three additional radio outlets:

    • KCAA Radio (1050 AM and 106.5 FM)
    • KQLH (92.5 FM)
    • KFXM (98.3 FM)

    GIA and KVCR have enjoyed a long-standing partnership in producing Education Insight. The show’s new format includes a 30-minute weekly episode, replacing the previous monthly schedule. This change reflects GIA and KVCR’s commitment to providing more frequent and in-depth coverage of critical education issues in the Inland Empire and beyond.

    Executive Director of KVCR, Connie Leyva emphasizes, “we are so excited to introduce the 30 minute weekly version of Education Insight to KVCR listeners. Knowledge is power, enjoy!”

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    Innovative Integration into Higher Education

    In a significant development, episodes of Education Insight have been integrated into the curriculum at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). The Liberal Studies program in the College of Arts & Letters now includes the show’s content as part of its curriculum for students aspiring to become educators. This collaboration aims to provide future teachers with a comprehensive understanding of key education issues, enhancing their knowledge of current challenges and innovations in the field.

    “CSUSB recognizes the value of bringing authentic, relevant, and meaningful information to our future educators,” said Dani Doueiri, Interim Coordinator of the Liberal Studies program at CSUSB. “Research shows that each teacher impacts thousands of students during their career, many of whom will stay in our region. Education Insight offers a unique and comprehensive resource to start their journey.”

    GIA’s Director of Communication, Jake Poore, added, “We are honored that Education Insight is being used to help prepare the next generation of educators. This collaboration reflects our commitment to enhancing education at all levels in our community.”

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    Additional Programming

    In addition to Education Insight, another GIA-produced program, The GIA Education Report, a 3.5-minute weekly news segment on current education topics, will also begin airing on KCAA Radio in September. This expansion highlights GIA’s ongoing efforts to inform the public on vital education issues affecting the Inland Empire and beyond.

    For more information and to listen to past episodes, visit the Education Insight website at https://gia.echofactory.dev/education-insight.

    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.

  • Working Together to Boost Regional Financial Aid Applications

    Working Together to Boost Regional Financial Aid Applications

    We recently shared Yajahira Young Tafolla’s story of overcoming challenges to complete her financial aid application. Her experience underscores the vital importance of supporting our students in navigating the financial aid process.

    GIA is calling on the entire Inland Empire community to make a final push to promote financial aid applications during the current application cycle. Here are some specific ways you can support these efforts:

    1. Use Our Outreach Toolkit: Utilize our promotional toolkit to spread the word to students and parents through your outreach channels. Promotional Toolkit Link
    2. Encourage Office Hours Attendance: Encourage students and parents to attend our free online office hours for questions and support with their applications. Sessions are open Monday – Friday from 3:30-7:30 PM PST. Participants may join at any time. Office Hours Link
    3. Utilize IESuccess.org: Direct families to the resources available at IESuccess.org for step-by-step guides and tools to complete their financial aid applications. Financial Aid Resources Link

    “We need your help to ensure every student in the Inland Empire has the opportunity to access the financial aid they need,” said Dr. Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of GIA. “You can play a crucial role in increasing application submissions by promoting the opportunity to apply through your network.”

    Vanessa Boekenoogen, Assistant Director of Communication at GIA, emphasizes, “We want every student to have the opportunity to pursue higher education without financial barriers. We’re calling on everyone in our network to amplify their efforts over the next month to reach as many students and families as possible.”

    We appreciate your continued support and collaboration.

    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.