HIGHER ENDEAVOR

In early 2022, GIA was selected as one of six organizations in the country for the implementation phase of the Gates Foundation Intermediaries for Scale initiative (also known as Higher Endeavor) to help postsecondary institutions bolster student success and close equity gaps. As the only place-based organization selected for the second phase of this work, GIA is serving as a national model for supporting regional collaboration and transformation.

In early 2022, GIA was selected as one of six organizations in the country for the implementation phase of the Gates Foundation Intermediaries for Scale initiative (also known as Higher Endeavor) to help postsecondary institutions bolster student success and close equity gaps. As the only place-based organization selected for the second phase of this work, GIA is serving as a national model for supporting regional collaboration and transformation.

Aligned with GIA’s mission to increase equitable educational attainment and economic success, the initiative fuels existing transformation efforts at Inland Empire institutions as they implement solutions and work through campus-level changes in policy and practice.

  • Aligning existing campus transformation efforts and strategic plans to identify the optimal areas for additional investment.
  • Facilitating the completion of an Institutional Transformation Assessment (ITA) to identify critical areas where support is needed.
  • Facilitating engagement with a network of solution providers to optimize technical support that can be brought to the campuses. 
  • Supporting campuses with reporting data to the Postsecondary Data Partnership (PDP) in the National Student Clearinghouse. 

Institutional Support

Empowering Institutions with Hands-On Support

All institutions engaged in the Higher Endeavor partnership receive a core set of services and support. Additionally, we offer customized support based on each institution’s specific goals, such as targeted coaching, resource development, or data analysis support.

Core Supports Include:

  • Regional Summits and Workshops: These bring together institutions to engage in shared learning, strategy development, and collaboration on key priorities.
  • Regional Webinars and Coaching: Institutions receive ongoing, accessible professional development and tailored coaching to address specific challenges and goals.
  • Peer Learning Cohorts (ANTs): Facilitated cohorts provide opportunities for institutions to share best practices, troubleshoot challenges, and build collective capacity across the region.

Barstow College
College of the Desert
Copper Mountain Community College
Crafton Hills College
Moreno Valley College
Mt. San Jacinto College
Norco College
Palo Verde College
Riverside City College
San Bernardino Valley College
Victor Valley College
Cal Poly Pomona
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, San Bernardino
California State University, San Marcos
University of California, Riverside
Loma Linda University
University of La Verne
University of Redlands
Woodbury University

ENGAGEMENT STAGES

Mapping the Process

GIA tailors timelines to accommodate specific institutional needs, readiness, and capacity. Some institutions may require additional ramp-up time for implementation, while others may accelerate their engagement based on existing infrastructure or prior experience with similar programs. This flexible approach ensures institutions can maximize the impact of their participation and receive the tailored support needed.

All institutions begin the process with a strategy session facilitated by GIA. During this session, participants collaboratively define what student success looks like at their institution and identify 3-4 strategic priorities, grounded in the institution’s existing strategic plan.

Step 1
  • STRATEGY SESSION

    GIA uses its Student Success Continuum as a framework to guide the discussion. 
Step 2
  • TRANSFORMATION ASSESSMENT

    Following the strategy session, institutions complete the Institutional Transformation Assessment (ITA).
Step 3
  • CALIBRATION MEETING

    Once the ITA assessment is finalized, GIA convenes a calibration meeting to review and align insights from both the strategy session and the ITA data to surface areas of alignment and opportunity.
Step 4
  • PRIORITY IDENTIFICATION

    The process concludes with identifying key priority areas that will be the focus throughout the duration of the grant.

GIA Together

Whether you’re an educator, employer, or community partner, there are ways to engage, make a difference, and drive meaningful change.

OUR WORK GET ENGAGED