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@inlandempiregia.org
