Gateway Technical College leaders announced they have joined Moon Shot for Equity, a national student success initiative led by Washington, D.C.-based education firm EAB to help more students from historically underserved populations graduate from college.
Through this innovative partnership, Gateway has committed to implementing more than a dozen research-based best practices proven to remove systemic barriers to student success. EAB will provide research, technology and advisory services to Gateway to help its efforts.
"Gateway is excited to join a regional group of two- and four-year colleges, including MATC, UW-Parkside, UW-Milwaukee and Carthage College, that are part of the Moon Shot for Equity initiative," said Gateway Technical College President and CEO Ritu Raju.
"For our students, participation in Moon Shot will allow us to harness best practices that support greater graduation rates, particularly for groups that often experience lower graduation rates, such as low-income and first-generation students. Our current focus on student success includes removing barriers for students, ensuring that the student experience is smooth and providing support services for students."
The college will initially focus on four key areas of the initiative to promote student success:
Increased opportunities for adult learners. For example, removing barriers to re-enrollment and creating flexible learning environments to enable all adult students to complete their degrees.
Looking at registration policies and tweaking them where needed. This would, for example, include revising unnecessary policies that may prevent students from completing their degrees.
Offer small grants for students in financial need. These grants will help students stay in college and on the path to graduation.
Leverage technology to provide more proactive advising. Technology will allow advisors to better connect with students, helping them to succeed and complete their degree.
"I have been extremely impressed by the passion and commitment that Gateway Technical College has already shown for the Moon Shot project," added EAB's vice president of Partnerships, Tom Sugar. "I look forward to working with their leadership team to better serve their students and to recruit additional two- and four-year schools in the region to join us."
"Eliminating equity gaps and producing successful graduates will allow us to transform our students’ lives and meet our community and industry needs, which will ultimately strengthen our region," said Raju.
Gateway's initiative is being led by Tammi Summers, vice president, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Matt Janisin, executive vice president, Academic Affairs, as well as a Moonshot Steering Committee made up of faculty, staff and administration will help to further guide these efforts.
Moon Shot for Equity is a public-private partnership with the education firm EAB dedicated to making sure that more students complete college degrees, especially those most often left behind – low income, first generation and students of color. The initiative aims to end equity gaps in higher education by 2030.
Visit eab.com/moonshot to learn more about the project.
Gateway Technical College’s mission is to deliver industry-focused education that is flexible, accessible and affordable for our diverse community. The college collaborates with communities in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties to ensure economic growth and viability by providing education, training, leadership and technological resources to meet the changing needs of students, employers and communities.
At EAB, our mission is to make education smarter and our communities stronger. We work with more than 2,500 institutions to drive transformative change through data-driven insights and best-in-class capabilities. From kindergarten to college to career, EAB partners with leaders and practitioners to accelerate progress and drive results across five major areas: enrollment, student success, institutional strategy, data analytics, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We work with each partner differently, tailoring our portfolio of research, technology, and marketing and enrollment solutions to meet the unique needs of every leadership team, as well as the students and employees they serve. Learn more at eab.com.
