Growing Inland Achievement

Category: News

  • Toward a Shared Vision 2024 Summit Highlights

    Toward a Shared Vision 2024 Summit Highlights

    We’re excited to share some key moments and highlights from GIA’s 2024 Toward a Shared Vision Summit, where local, state, and national leaders convened to advance equitable educational success in the Inland Empire.

    Summit Highlights Video: Watch the highlights from this year’s Summit, capturing important moments from the two-day event.

    Summary Report: Read our summary report featuring event highlights, key takeaways, and select audio clips from Summit sessions. Best viewed on desktop.

    Summit Photos: View all photos from the Summit.

    We look forward to building on these efforts together and achieving new milestones for equitable educational attainment and economic success in the coming year.  

    Please stay tuned for future updates on GIA initiatives, events, and activities—we’re excited for what we’ll accomplish through our continued partnership!

    Save the Date: Mark your calendar for our 2025 Toward a Shared Vision Summit! October 28-29, 2025 in Riverside, CA.

  • Annual Education Summit Brings Inland Empire Leaders Together for Collective Action 

    Annual Education Summit Brings Inland Empire Leaders Together for Collective Action 

    INLAND EMPIRE, CA – Growing Inland Achievement (GIA), a nonprofit dedicated to improving educational and economic success in the Inland Empire, is gearing up for its 7th annual Toward a Shared Vision Summit. The event will take place at the Riverside Convention Center on October 8-9, 2024, bringing together local leaders to discuss and address regional educational challenges. 

    This year’s summit, themed “Collective Action, Shared Success,” will highlight the power of collaboration across education, government, nonprofit, and business sectors to drive lasting change. Approximately 300 leaders from the Inland Empire’s 56 K-12 school districts, 12 community colleges, public and private universities, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses are expected to attend. Together, they will work to address the region’s most critical educational and economic challenges, seeking innovative solutions through collective efforts. 

    “The 2024 Toward a Shared Vision Summit is a unique opportunity for passionate leaders and innovators to come together and create real, lasting change,” said Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of GIA. “The partnerships and ideas that will emerge have the potential to drive transformative improvements in education and opportunity throughout the Inland Empire.” 

    Attendees will participate in workshops, discussions, and breakout sessions covering a range of topics, including student enrollment strategies, access to financial resources, support for underrepresented communities, and pathways to higher education success. 

    The summit will kick off on October 8, 2024, with the Toward a Shared Vision Awards at the Riverside Convention Center, launching two days of focus on regional educational challenges and opportunities. 

    Among the featured speakers are Dr. Sonya Christian, Chancellor of California Community Colleges, and Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. They will participate in a special Fireside Chat following the awards ceremony on October 8, sharing their insights on advancing educational success for all students. 

    This year’s award 2024 Toward a Shared Vision honorees represent a range of collaborative and impactful efforts to address key educational challenges in the region. The awards highlight individuals and organizations driving equity-focused initiatives and fostering innovation in their communities. 

    The 2024 award categories and honorees include: 

    • Excellence in Regional Transformation: BLU Educational Foundation 
    • Equity-Focused Excellence: Rialto Project Impact, Rialto Unified School District 
    • Student-Centered Excellence: Riverside County Office of Education 
    • Excellence in Regional Collaboration: Inland Empire College Corps Consortium 
    • Excellence in Innovation: Randall Lewis 

    Regular registration for the October 9 portion of the summit is $175 and tickets for the Toward a Shared Vision Awards and Fireside Chat on October 8 are $50 per person. General registration for October 9 includes access to keynote speeches, breakout sessions, meals, and parking. Those interested in attending the awards and panel discussion on October 8 must purchase a separate entry. 

    Proceeds from the event will support GIA’s student scholarship fund. 

    For more details and to register for the event, visit www.gia.towardasharedvision.org. 

    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. 

  • Education Insight: Tackling the Male Enrollment Crisis – The Gents Alliance Program

    Education Insight: Tackling the Male Enrollment Crisis – The Gents Alliance Program

    About This Episode

    Season 4. Episode 7.

    In this episode of Education Insight, we feature Ernie Rios, Vice President of College Success at One Future Coachella Valley and administrator of The Gents’ Alliance program, an initiative focused on supporting male scholars in the region.

    With male college enrollment at historic lows and men being 7% more likely to drop out than women, Ernie sheds light on the underlying factors driving this alarming trend. He shares how The Gents’ Alliance is addressing these challenges by offering tailored support for young men in the Coachella Valley. Ernie also explores potential solutions and strategies for reversing the decline in male enrollment and success in higher education. Join us for this important conversation on closing the gender gap in college participation and ensuring educational equity for all students.

    Featured Guest

    Ernie Rios

    Vice President, College Success at OneFuture Coachella Valley 

    Ernie Rios serves as the Vice President of College Success at One Future Coachella Valley. He is a graduate of Coachella Valley High School and College of the Desert. He transferred to the University of California at Los Angeles for his undergraduate degrees and earned his Master of Business Administration degree from the Richard J. Heckmann International Center for Entrepreneurial Management at the University of California at Riverside, Palm Desert Campus.

    After graduate school, he joined the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership and co-found the Pathways to Success Scholarship and Leadership program, which has awarded more than $17 million in scholarships and helped Coachella Valley students apply for more than $100 million in state and federal financial aid. He is grateful to work with local leaders to develop education and employment opportunities for students in the region.

    Interview Highlights

    3:57 – Adrienne describes dual enrollment and its benefits.

    7:15 – Adrienne speaks to how recent California mandates and initiatives may have influenced the growth of these new programs.

    8:34 – Adrienne explains what research shows about the impact of dual enrollment on a student’s academic achievements or even their future success.

    9:24 – Adrienne shares examples of dual enrollment activities that are taking place in our region and what is happening in the IE. 

    13:11 – Adrienne talks about strategies in place to make sure that equal opportunities are available for all students.

    20:18 – Jorge explains how dual enrollment aligns with his role at Riverside County Unified School District.

    21:28 – Jorge shares his experiences and thoughts on the current dual enrollment programs that are being offered at Riverside Unified School District.

    23:32 – Jorge gives insight into how dual enrollment makes students career ready.

    25:58 – Jorge describes what challenges students typically face in dual enrollment programs and how he addresses those issues. 

    32:43 – Jorge shares what he would like to see be the future of the dual enrollment program in his district and beyond. 

    36:31 – Special Feature: Avijeet Randhawa, 8th-Grader, Auburndale Intermediate School in the Corona Norco Unified School District.

    View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/

    Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.

  • Education Insight: The PTA’s Journey from Tradition to Modern Advocacy

    Education Insight: The PTA’s Journey from Tradition to Modern Advocacy

    About This Episode

    Season 4. Episode 6.

    -In this episode of Education Insight, we take a deep dive into the 125-year legacy of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and its evolving role in education. For over a century, the PTA has worked to build strong family engagement in schools, advocate for policies that support student well-being, and ensure equitable access to quality education.

    In the Inland Empire, the PTA is still actively involved in traditional activities like in-person and Zoom meetings, and yes, even cake walks. But today’s PTA is also fighting for critical issues like improved funding for schools and the implementation of mental health programs for students.

    We are joined by Becca Marks-Anderson, Executive Vice President of the Twenty-Third District PTA, who shares insights into the PTA’s ongoing work in the region and the challenges they’re addressing to support students, teachers, and families.

    Featured Guest

    Becca Marks-Anderson

    Parliamentarian, California State PTA and Executive Vice President, Twenty-Third District PTA

    Becca Marks-Anderson is the current parliamentarian for the California State PTA and the current Executive Vice President for the Twenty-Third District PTA. Her past service includes service as a Leadership Services Commissioner for California State PTA, District President and Vice President of Leadership Services for Twenty-Third District PTA, and Temecula Valley Council of PTAs President and Parliamentarian, among other roles. After serving more than 15 years in the nonprofit compliance space professionally, much of that time has been spent in roles that align and work closely with education. Becca finds that knowing and understanding governance helps us break down barriers for family members by drawing them in from where they are and giving them the tools to cleanly, clearly, transparently, and purposefully serve our students in the ways students need to be successful. 

    Interview Highlights

    3:57 – Adrienne describes dual enrollment and its benefits.

    7:15 – Adrienne speaks to how recent California mandates and initiatives may have influenced the growth of these new programs.

    8:34 – Adrienne explains what research shows about the impact of dual enrollment on a student’s academic achievements or even their future success.

    9:24 – Adrienne shares examples of dual enrollment activities that are taking place in our region and what is happening in the IE. 

    13:11 – Adrienne talks about strategies in place to make sure that equal opportunities are available for all students.

    20:18 – Jorge explains how dual enrollment aligns with his role at Riverside County Unified School District.

    21:28 – Jorge shares his experiences and thoughts on the current dual enrollment programs that are being offered at Riverside Unified School District.

    23:32 – Jorge gives insight into how dual enrollment makes students career ready.

    25:58 – Jorge describes what challenges students typically face in dual enrollment programs and how he addresses those issues. 

    32:43 – Jorge shares what he would like to see be the future of the dual enrollment program in his district and beyond. 

    36:31 – Special Feature: Avijeet Randhawa, 8th-Grader, Auburndale Intermediate School in the Corona Norco Unified School District.

    View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/

    Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.

  • Education Insight: California’s Push for Phone-Free Classrooms

    Education Insight: California’s Push for Phone-Free Classrooms

    About This Episode

    Season 4. Episode 5.

    In this episode of Education Insight, we dive into the implications of Assembly Bill 3216, also known as the Phone-Free Schools Act, which was recently passed by the California state legislature. This new bill would require school districts to implement policies limiting or banning cellphone use during school hours by July 2026. Governor Gavin Newsom, who has been a strong advocate for reducing smartphone distractions in the classroom, is expected to sign the bill, making California the fifth state to impose such a restriction.

    To explore how this legislation might affect schools in the Inland Empire, we sat down with Tobin Brinker, President of the Rialto Education Association, and Michael Montano, Vice President of the Association. Both educators bring decades of experience in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms and share their perspectives on the potential benefits and challenges of limiting cellphone use in schools.

    In this insightful conversation, we discuss how the new bill could reshape student engagement, reduce distractions, and foster a more focused learning environment across California classrooms. Tune in to learn more about the future of education and technology in our schools.

    Featured Guest

    Tobin Brinker

    President, Rialto Education Association and Frisbie Middle School Teacher

    A seasoned history teacher with a decade of experience in local elected office. Brinker brings a unique perspective, blending historical insight with practical political experience, offering a nuanced understanding of America’s founding principles and their lasting impact.

    Michael Montano

    Vice President, Rialto Education Association and Rialto High School Teacher

    Interview Highlights

    3:57 – Adrienne describes dual enrollment and its benefits.

    7:15 – Adrienne speaks to how recent California mandates and initiatives may have influenced the growth of these new programs.

    8:34 – Adrienne explains what research shows about the impact of dual enrollment on a student’s academic achievements or even their future success.

    9:24 – Adrienne shares examples of dual enrollment activities that are taking place in our region and what is happening in the IE. 

    13:11 – Adrienne talks about strategies in place to make sure that equal opportunities are available for all students.

    20:18 – Jorge explains how dual enrollment aligns with his role at Riverside County Unified School District.

    21:28 – Jorge shares his experiences and thoughts on the current dual enrollment programs that are being offered at Riverside Unified School District.

    23:32 – Jorge gives insight into how dual enrollment makes students career ready.

    25:58 – Jorge describes what challenges students typically face in dual enrollment programs and how he addresses those issues. 

    32:43 – Jorge shares what he would like to see be the future of the dual enrollment program in his district and beyond. 

    36:31 – Special Feature: Avijeet Randhawa, 8th-Grader, Auburndale Intermediate School in the Corona Norco Unified School District.

    View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/

    Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.