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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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.
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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.
Ashish Vaidya will join Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive nationwide search process.
INLAND EMPIRE, CA – GIA today announced Dr. Ashish K. Vaidya as the incoming President and CEO to further the organization’s mission of increasing educational attainment and economic success in the Inland Empire. His appointment will begin on January 10, 2024.
Dr. Vaidya’s career includes serving as President of Northern Kentucky University and other key roles at California State University, Los Angeles, St. Cloud State University, and California State University, Channel Islands.
Dr. Kim Wilcox, Board Chair of GIA and Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside, stated, “Dr. Vaidya has a proven track record of fostering regional economic development, enhancing student success, and building strong community partnerships. His extensive experience in higher education and commitment to regional collaboration make him an ideal leader for GIA.”
As a Senior Fellow at the American Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU), Dr. Vaidya has been at the forefront of national initiatives, including leading a project focused on articulating why postsecondary institutions must be intentional about serving multiple communities in the regions where they are placed.
Dr. Vaidya interacts with students at NKU. Photo provided by NKU.
Dr. Vaidya’s appointment comes at a crucial time for GIA, as the organization supports major initiatives such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Intermediaries for Scale initiative, where GIA facilitates institutional self-assessments, guidance, and technical assistance for Inland Empire colleges.
Ann Marie Sakrekoff, who has served as the interim President and CEO of GIA since May, expresses enthusiasm about Dr. Vaidya’s arrival, stating, “Dr. Vaidya’s rich background in higher education and experience with collective impact and leading regional initiatives perfectly aligns with our organizational needs and regional mission. I look forward to working collaboratively with him to build on regional successes and continue to drive equitable student success in the Inland Empire.”
Dr. Vaidya, who holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Davis, is eager to take on the role, stating, “I am thrilled to join GIA and eager to support a bold agenda of accelerating educational and economic equity in the San Bernardino and Riverside region. My son was born in the city of Upland in San Bernardino County and we have strong ties to the Inland Empire. It is a privilege to return ‘home’ and be of service to this dynamic region. This consequential work takes a united network of leaders across sectors working collectively to improve outcomes. Together, we can be an example to the nation on how to advance regional educational and economic success.”
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.
In this episode of Education Insight, we sit down with Amanda Corridan, Chief Academic Officer for the Riverside County Office of Education, to explore the heart and purpose behind the Foster Youth Success Initiative.
Amanda oversees this countywide effort designed to ensure that foster youth stay in school and thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. She explains what the initiative does, why it’s needed now more than ever, and how it’s changing the narrative for young people who have faced some of life’s toughest challenges.
Listeners will hear about the real obstacles foster youth face in the classroom, from frequent school transitions to emotional trauma, and how Riverside County is equipping teachers, counselors, and caregivers with the tools and training to better support them. Amanda also shares inspiring stories of students who have turned their educational journeys around with the help of this initiative.
Beyond academics, the conversation highlights the importance of mental health and community collaboration. Showing how schools, social services, and local organizations are coming together to give foster youth the stability and confidence they need to plan for college, careers, and adulthood.
🎧 Tune in to learn how Riverside County’s Foster Youth Success Initiative is helping students move from surviving to thriving, and why their success matters to us all.
Featured Guest
Amanda Corridan
Chief Academic Officer, Division of Educational Services, Riverside County Office of Education
Sarah Ancel founded Student-Ready Strategies to accelerate the nation’s progress toward a more equitable postsecondary system that serves all students. Sarah has a unique combination of local, state and national experience in higher education policy and practice and a proven record of successful student-focused reforms. She is a policy expert, a strategic and tactical implementer, and a keen analyst of data, environment, and opportunities. She is a leading national voice in serving non-traditional student populations more effectively.
Before forming Student-Ready Strategies, Sarah served as Senior Vice President for the national nonprofit Complete College America. Sarah grew and coordinated support for its 46-member Alliance of States and its network of CCA Fellows. She provided policy consultation, coordinated with funders, delivered in-state technical assistance, and developed and launched a strategy for returning adults. Before joining CCA, Sarah served as Associate Commissioner for Strategic Planning and Policy for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. In that role, she was responsible for implementing the Commission’s strategic plan, including developing and advancing the Commission’s legislative priorities. She came to that role after spending nearly a decade contributing to the fiscal management and oversight of Indiana’s state and local governments.
Sarah holds a master’s degree in economics from IUPUI and a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Indiana University Bloomington. She served as an adjunct professor for her alma mater for three years and currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the School of Liberal Arts.
Watch the Episode
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.
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.
Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) has joined the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF), a national alliance that connects corporate and higher education executives to identify emerging skills and co-develop inclusive pathways that address talent needs. The move reflects GIA’s commitment to aligning education and workforce needs across the Inland Empire in support of regional economic prosperity.
BHEF facilitates collaboration between business and postsecondary institutions to co-design pathways that lead to high-demand careers. In a 2024 BHEF national report, nearly 9 out 10 business and higher education executives reported that talent partnerships between business and higher education institutions were a top priority for their organizations. Yet only 1 in 5 higher education leaders reported fully executing a partnership strategy. Through this national network, GIA will connect with national peers to advance inclusive, regionally tailored models and activate best practices in closing regional partnership gaps between business and post-secondary leaders that limit student success.
“We are pleased to welcome Growing Inland Achievement to BHEF’s national network of corporate, higher education, and philanthropic leaders,” said Kristen Fox, CEO of the Business-Higher Education Forum. “We know that skills disruptions in age of AI requires matching national insights with regional activation and tailoring to ensure every worker and learner gets access to in-demand skills. GIA’s regional leadership and focus on systems change exemplify how local innovation can meet the needs of businesses and learners in their communities. Together, we can expand access to AI skills and work-integrated learning approaches to ensure students, faculty, and employers are prepared for success in an AI-driven economy.”
The partnership supports Goal 5 of GIA’s 2030 Strategic Plan, which calls for the creation of a Business Education Network (BEN) in the Inland Empire. The BEN will bring together employers, education leaders, and community stakeholders to identify regional workforce priorities, align postsecondary programs with local industry needs, and expand access to work-based learning and career-connected pathways.
“Joining BHEF is an important step in helping our region strengthen connections between talent development and economic opportunity,” said Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of GIA. “It complements our efforts to ensure that Inland Empire students are earning degrees and credentials of value that enable real economic mobility and measurable returns in the labor market.”
As part of this work, GIA is engaging employers across key industries, including healthcare, logistics, education, and advanced manufacturing, to help shape the BEN and inform regional workforce strategy. The Forum’s national platform and resources will bolster GIA’s ability to bridge the gap between what students learn and what employers need.
To learn more about the Business-Higher Education Forum, visit www.bhef.com.
Growing Inland Achievement featured as a regional leader aligning AI, education, and equity
October – Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) is featured in a new national initiative from Jobs for the Future (JFF), Reimagining Postsecondary Success in the Age of AI, which explores how artificial intelligence is transforming education and work—and how regions like the Inland Empire are leading the way.
Supported by the College Futures Foundation, the project profiles innovative efforts underway in California’s Inland Empire and Central Valley. These efforts center on using AI to expand educational opportunity, close equity gaps, and prepare learners for the jobs of the future. GIA’s work is highlighted as a model of how regional collaboration can guide equitable adoption of new technologies across postsecondary systems.
“In the Inland Empire, we’re not just adapting to change, we’re helping shape what AI means for education and workforce alignment,” said Dr. Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of GIA. “Our focus is ensuring that every student—no matter their background—has access to pathways that lead to good jobs and upward mobility.”
The JFF report includes stories from educators, students, and employers across the Inland Empire who are creating inclusive, community-centered AI solutions. Through its role as a regional organization, GIA helps connect those efforts by aligning partners, sharing data-driven insights, and supporting institutional transformation across the cradle-to-career continuum.
This work builds on GIA’s broader mission to increase postsecondary attainment and economic opportunity in the region, where only 32% of working-age adults (ages 25–64) currently hold a degree or credential of value. AI presents both promise and risk—and GIA is working to ensure regional systems adopt new tools in ways that are ethical, student-centered, and equity-focused.
“AI is already reshaping industries across our region, from logistics and manufacturing to education and healthcare,” said Dr. Vaidya. “The question isn’t whether these changes will happen, but how we prepare Inland Empire students and workers to adapt, reskill, and grow. This is about building a regional culture of lifelong learning.”
Colleges across the country are bracing for an enrollment cliff, as fewer students graduate from high school and continue on to higher education. But what about the millions of adults who never started college at all? In this episode of Education Insight, host Lacey Kendall talks with Sarah Ancel, Founder and CEO of Student-Ready Strategies, about how colleges and universities can better reach and support these adult learners—often overlooked in higher education’s recruitment and retention efforts. Sarah shares insights on why adult learners are critical to addressing the enrollment crisis, the barriers they face when considering higher education for the first time, and what institutions can do differently to welcome them into the fold.
Then, we shift from college campuses to elementary school gates, where community spirit is alive and well. We visit San Bernardino’s famous Mom Mob, a joyful group of moms, teachers, and aunties who gather outside schools to cheer on students as they arrive for class. With high fives, pom-poms, and music, they remind every child that they are supported and valued by their entire community.
🎶 “The Mom Mob Song” by Sandra Rodriguez (used with permission)
Featured Guest
Sarah Ancel
Founding Partner and CEO, Student Ready Strategies
Sarah Ancel founded Student-Ready Strategies to accelerate the nation’s progress toward a more equitable postsecondary system that serves all students. Sarah has a unique combination of local, state and national experience in higher education policy and practice and a proven record of successful student-focused reforms. She is a policy expert, a strategic and tactical implementer, and a keen analyst of data, environment, and opportunities. She is a leading national voice in serving non-traditional student populations more effectively.
Before forming Student-Ready Strategies, Sarah served as Senior Vice President for the national nonprofit Complete College America. Sarah grew and coordinated support for its 46-member Alliance of States and its network of CCA Fellows. She provided policy consultation, coordinated with funders, delivered in-state technical assistance, and developed and launched a strategy for returning adults. Before joining CCA, Sarah served as Associate Commissioner for Strategic Planning and Policy for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. In that role, she was responsible for implementing the Commission’s strategic plan, including developing and advancing the Commission’s legislative priorities. She came to that role after spending nearly a decade contributing to the fiscal management and oversight of Indiana’s state and local governments.
Sarah holds a master’s degree in economics from IUPUI and a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Indiana University Bloomington. She served as an adjunct professor for her alma mater for three years and currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the School of Liberal Arts.
Watch the Episode
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.
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.
GIA President & CEO Dr. Ashish Vaidya accepts a California Senate Resolution from Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh recognizing Growing Inland Achievement’s 10 years of impact in the Inland Empire.
A milestone recognition of Growing Inland Achievement’s role in uniting partners to strengthen education and economic mobility.
On October 2, 2025, Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) was formally recognized by the California State Senate for a decade of work to expand educational opportunity and strengthen socioeconomic mobility across Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
During a visit to Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh’s office (19th District), Dr. Vaidya received the Senate Resolution, which commends GIA’s leadership as a regional collaborative dedicated to improving cradle-to-career outcomes, advancing equitable access to higher education, and preparing a stronger talent pipeline for the Inland Empire’s future.
“The Inland Empire’s future depends on a strong education-to-career pathway. A talent pipeline isn’t built by accident. It is built through collaboration,” said Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh. “I appreciate GIA for investing in the future of our students.”
Since its founding in 2015, GIA has convened leaders from K–12 education, higher education, workforce, business, and community organizations to align strategies and share resources. Guided by its CAIR strategy—Convene, Advocate, Invest, and Research—GIA continues to champion the region’s shared goal of increasing postsecondary attainment among working-age adults and advancing equitable economic prosperity for all.
“This recognition belongs to our partners and communities across the Inland Empire,” said Dr. Vaidya. “Together, we have demonstrated what collective impact can achieve; breaking down barriers, securing resources, and creating opportunities so that every student and family has the chance to thrive.”
GIA will celebrate its 10 years of progress during its annual convening on October 28-29 in Riverside, CA. For more information, visit inlandempiregia.org.
