Growing Inland Achievement

Category: News

  • GIA Receives Grant to Strengthen College-to-Career Pathways 

    GIA Receives Grant to Strengthen College-to-Career Pathways 

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) has received a $40,000 grant from Bank of America to support the launch of a new Business Education Network (BEN) in the Inland Empire.

    This initiative aims to improve regional coordination between education institutions and employers, strengthen the college-to-career pipeline, and expand opportunities for students to access meaningful work-based learning experiences.

    The grant aligns with GIA’s 2030 Strategic Plan, which outlines five cradle-to-career goals designed to increase educational attainment and economic mobility across Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The fifth goal—strengthening pathways from education to employment—emerged directly from feedback gathered in 2024 from hundreds of education and business stakeholders, including members of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP). Business leaders emphasized the need to better align educational programs with workforce demands, expand access to internships, and address the persistent mismatch between the skills graduates acquire and the competencies employers seek.

    The Business Education Network will be developed in collaboration with IEEP, educational institutions, and local employers. By combining GIA’s role as a regional education convener with IEEP’s business and industry expertise, the partnership will work to build a coordinated and sustainable infrastructure for employer engagement, strengthen alignment between education and workforce systems, and expand access to high-impact work-based learning opportunities for Inland Empire students.

    The initiative builds on GIA’s experience coordinating the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program, which engages more than 400 students from the Inland Empire annually in service, skill-building, and career preparation. It also reflects insights from GIA’s College and Career Action Network Team, which has identified stronger employer engagement and clearer post-graduation transitions as key regional needs.

    “Bank of America continues to be a valued partner in advancing educational and economic mobility in the Inland Empire,” said Dr. Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of Growing Inland Achievement. “This grant  allows us to strengthen the bridge between education and employment through cross-sector collaboration.”

    For more information about GIA’s work to strengthen the Inland Empire’s talent pipeline, visit www.inlandempiregia.org.

  • 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

     

  • Inland Empire Unites Around Bold New Strategic Plan to Increase Postsecondary Attainment and Economic Opportunity

    Inland Empire Unites Around Bold New Strategic Plan to Increase Postsecondary Attainment and Economic Opportunity

    GIA’s New Strategic Plan Charts Course to 70% Postsecondary Attainment in the Inland Empire

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) has officially launched its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, a regionally developed blueprint aimed at transforming education and workforce outcomes across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Anchored in a shared goal to increase the Inland Empire’s postsecondary attainment rate to 70%, the plan reflects the collective voices of hundreds of regional leaders, educators, and community members who participated in a year-long planning process.

    The plan is grounded in a formal Board resolution endorsing a regional goal of 70% postsecondary attainment among working-age adults, which is aligned with the State of California’s higher education and workforce objectives. It outlines a clear path toward this goal by targeting improvements across five critical cradle-to-career milestones: (1) early literacy and middle school math proficiency, (2) high school readiness through A-G completion and dual enrollment, (3) postsecondary enrollment and transfer, (4) postsecondary completion, and (5) successful transition to employment with a livable wage. GIA will support regional partners in advancing these outcomes through its CAIR strategy—Convene, Advocate, Invest, and Research—and by implementing a collective impact framework that drives coordinated, data-informed action across sectors.

    “This is more than a plan. It’s a regional commitment to our students, families, and future workforce,” said Dr. Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of Growing Inland Achievement. “We are calling on every sector—education, business, philanthropy, and government—to join in advancing this vision. When more Inland Empire residents earn credentials of value, we strengthen families, drive economic growth, and position the region as a national model for equitable opportunity.”

    Strategic Vision Grounded in Regional Voices

    The 2025–2030 Strategic Plan was built through deep listening and broad engagement. GIA facilitated dozens of focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and stakeholder surveys over the past year to ensure the plan reflected regional priorities. The final product aligns with key state initiatives including the California Blueprint for Higher Education, the Vision 2030 roadmap for community colleges, and regional P-16 efforts.

    Regional stakeholders coalesced around a shared understanding: long-term progress toward goal attainment depends on improving student outcomes at every stage of the educational journey. The plan elevates five interconnected cradle-to-career milestones and ties them to goals, annual benchmarks, and shared metrics—creating a structure for accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.

    A Plan That Belongs to the Region

    “This plan reflects the aspirations of our entire region, not just one organization,” said Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez, GIA Board Chair and Chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District. “The 70% attainment goal is bold but achievable—if we work together. Every school, college, nonprofit, and employer has a role to play.”

    GIA’s role moving forward will be to support partners in turning strategy into action. Through the CAIR strategy, GIA will strengthen regional coordination, advocate for policies that remove systemic barriers, invest in initiatives with potential for broad impact, and deliver timely research to inform decisions and track progress.

    “Whether you’re a school counselor, business leader, or elected official, this plan offers a roadmap for how we can work together to expand opportunity,” added Paul Granillo, GIA Board Member and President & CEO of Inland Empire Economic Partnership. “It’s an invitation to contribute to the future of our region.”

    Get Involved

    To view the full plan and explore ways to engage, visit:
    🔗 https://bit.ly/giastrategicplan2030

    GIA welcomes opportunities to present a strategic plan overview at community meetings, business roundtables, or public forums. To schedule a presentation, contact Viri Saldana-Borden at viri@gia.echofactory.dev.

    Community members are also encouraged to:

    • Sign up for GIA’s email updates to stay connected on progress, events, and opportunities
    • Save the date for GIA’s 2025 Toward a Shared Vision Summit, GIA’s annual regional convening on October 28-29, 2025, at the Riverside Convention Center.

    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

  • GIA Recognized with Mosaic Award and Multiple Honors at 2025 Inland Empire American Advertising Awards

    GIA Recognized with Mosaic Award and Multiple Honors at 2025 Inland Empire American Advertising Awards

    Pictured left to right: Jake Poore, Director of Communication at GIA; Vanessa Boekenoogen, Assistant Director of Communication at GIA

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) received multiple accolades at the 2025 Inland Empire American Advertising Awards, held March 21 at the Life Arts Center in Riverside. The organization earned a total of ten ADDY Awards, including a Silver Award for IESuccess.org, several Bronze Awards across its podcast and campaign work, and the event’s only Mosaic Award for its Higher Endeavor campaign.

    Hosted annually by the Inland Empire chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the event recognizes outstanding advertising and media work from professionals and students throughout the region. This year’s competition marked a significant increase in entries, with participation levels reaching their highest since 2019.

    GIA’s most notable recognition came in the form of the Mosaic Award, awarded to a single entry that demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The organization earned the award in the Public Service Online/Interactive Campaign category for its Higher Endeavor campaign, which focuses on supporting postsecondary transformation across Inland Empire institutions. The campaign is part of GIA’s work under the Gates Foundation-funded Higher Endeavor initiative.

    GIA also earned two Silver ADDY Awards:

    • Website – IESuccess.org, a regional college access and success platform offering guidance and support for students navigating the postsecondary process.

    • Podcast – Education Insight: Transforming Inmate Rehabilitation, an episode exploring the role of education in prison rehabilitation and reentry.

    Eight Bronze ADDY Awards were also presented to GIA for the following:

    The American Advertising Awards is the industry’s largest competition, with more than 25,000 entries submitted nationwide each year. Entries are judged locally before advancing to district and national levels. The number of awards granted in each category is determined by the judges, based on the overall quality of work.

    The Inland Empire chapter of AAF includes professionals and students across eastern Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and Western Riverside County.

    GIA’s recognized content reflects its continued effort to communicate regionally relevant information in accessible formats. Its creative output supports the organization’s broader mission to increase postsecondary attainment and economic mobility in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.

    For more information about the Inland Empire American Advertising Awards, visit inlandempireaaf.com.

  • 2025 PROPEL AI Symposium Sparks Regional Collaboration on AI in Education

    2025 PROPEL AI Symposium Sparks Regional Collaboration on AI in Education

    CEO Panel Participants (Pictured left to right): Waheed Baqai, Kimberly Starrs, Edwin Gomez, Tomás D. Morales, Kelly May-Vollmar, and Ashish Vaidya

    On February 21, 2025, Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) and California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) partnered to host the 2025 PROPEL AI Symposium, bringing together educators, industry leaders, and community partners to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping education and workforce development.

    Held at the CSUSB campus, the symposium provided a space for regional leaders to discuss AI’s potential and its implications for students, educators, and employers. GIA and CSUSB worked together to convene experts, foster collaboration, and highlight opportunities for innovation in the Inland Empire.

    Keynote speakers included:

    • Dr. Ajey Jacob, Director of the ASIC Lab at USC’s Information Sciences Institute, who shared insights from his 16 years at Intel and GlobalFoundries on AI hardware innovation.

    • Dr. Karen Vignare, Vice President of Digital Transformation for Student Success at the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, who focused on how technology is reshaping higher education.

    • Dr. Sabba Quidwai, CEO of Designing Schools, who discussed strategies for preparing students with the skills needed in an AI-driven workforce.

    GIA CEO Ashish Vaidya led a CEO roundtable with regional leaders from the education, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors, including Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez, Desert Sands Unified School District Superintendent Kelly May-Vollmar, former Wise Healthcare COO Waheed Baqai, Inland SoCal United Way CEO Kimberly Starrs, and CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales, to discuss AI’s impact across industries.

    Plenary sessions explored:

    • How AI collaborations, including OpenAI partnerships, are shaping the future of higher education, with insights from Arizona State University.

    • Efforts to expand AI knowledge and capacity in K-12 education, highlighted by San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) Technology Services.

    The discussions and collaborations at the 2025 PROPEL AI Symposium reflect a shared commitment to preparing students and workers for an AI-driven future. As AI continues to evolve, the insights and partnerships formed through this event will help shape the region’s approach to education and workforce development, ensuring the Inland Empire remains at the forefront of AI adoption and innovation.

    Click to view more photos from the event here.