Ellucian, the leading provider of software and services built to power higher education, today announced the launch of a new philanthropic initiative, PATH (Progress, Accomplishment, Thriving, Hope). This global awareness campaign and scholarship fund was created to provide financial assistance to students experiencing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring they are able to continue their education.
Ellucian and its executives have pledged an initial contribution of $1 million to the PATH scholarship fund. The company, in partnership with The Business-Higher Education Forum and its members, will build a coalition of supporters to contribute to the global fund, with a goal of reaching $10 million by Ellucian Live in April 2021.
“As a partner to education institutions around the world, we are humbled to see how the education community sprang into action in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ellucian President and CEO Laura Ipsen. “No matter what the ‘next normal’ becomes in higher education, how we respond is up to us. Education has the power to transform lives and build a more just society. We’re honored to launch this scholarship, empowering students to continue following their dreams, and to have The Business-Higher Education Forum as our first partner. We’re committed to enlisting additional organizations and donors in this critical effort over the weeks and months ahead.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created intense stress and uncertainty among students about their immediate future,” said The Business-Higher Education Forum CEO Brian Fitzgerald. “While there are many educational paths forward including online learning, community college, and returning to campus when it’s safe, we’re concerned that students may choose to pause their studies indefinitely, with devastating consequences. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Ellucian to help students succeed no matter what challenges they face.”
Enabling Students to ‘Stay on Path’ in this Unprecedented Time
The current economic climate has made affording higher education even more challenging, causing many enrolled students to abandon their dream of attending a college or university altogether. A recent study found that one in six students who have already made deposits to a 4-year institution no longer plan to attend full-time. Those most at risk are primarily from underserved communities, including many who have lost their own jobs, or whose parents have either lost their jobs or been impacted as first responders. Ellucian created PATH in response to this need and to help avoid a “lost generation” of students who miss out on higher education and the benefits it offers.
To learn more about the PATH campaign, or to contribute to the scholarship fund, visit: www.stayonpath.org
Additional COVID-19 Resources from Ellucian
As institutions, educators, students, and staff face great change and disruption during the coronavirus outbreak, those who serve higher education are working together to help continue the delivery of vital services and ongoing education to students everywhere.
In support of our customers, partners, and the higher education community, Ellucian is continually updating available resources, including webinars, articles and community discussions on business continuity, the CARES Act, online learning, student well-being and more.
About Ellucian
Ellucian is the market leader charting the digital future of higher education with a portfolio of cloud-ready technology solutions and services. From student recruitment to workforce analytics; from fundraising opportunities to alumni engagement; Ellucian’s comprehensive suite of data-rich tools gives colleges and universities the information they need to lead with confidence.
Working with a community of more than 2,700 customers in over 50 countries, Ellucian keeps innovating as higher education keeps evolving. Drawing on its comprehensive higher education business acumen and suite of services, Ellucian guides its customers through manageable, sustainable digital transformation—so that every type of institution and student can thrive in today’s fast-changing landscape. To find out what’s next in higher education solutions and services, visit Ellucian at www.ellucian.com.
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