Ashley A. Smith
Follow @ashasmithnewsAshley A. Smith covers higher education and other student success reforms for EdSource. She joined the publication in July 2019 after covering community colleges, for-profit schools and non-traditional students for Inside Higher Ed, in Washington D.C. Her work has appeared in the Fort Myers News-Press, the Marshfield News-Herald, The Flint Journal, USA Today and the Detroit Free Press. Ashley grew up in Detroit and is a 2008 graduate of Michigan State University.
All articles by Ashley A. Smith
California state audit criticizes Calbright College for mismanagement
Calbright College, California's online-only community college, faces a tough fight in the Legislature following a state audit that found mismanagement but urged that Calbright get until the end of 2022 to serve adult learners.
Ashley A. Smith
May 12, 2021
Calbright College once again faces opposition that seeks to shut it down
Calbright College, California's online-only community college, fights for survival amid opposition from some lawmakers and a pending audit.
Ashley A. Smith
May 7, 2021
California looks for aid from Biden's plans for tuition-free community college and higher Pell Grants
As one of the leaders in offering free community college tuition to qualified low-income students, California hopes to get federal resources from President Biden's proposals to make community college free and increase the federal Pell Grant to students.
Ashley A. Smith
April 28, 2021
Inside a Cal State Northridge program that helps women and Latinos in STEM
Mentorships, tutoring and stipends key to program's success
Ashley A. Smith
April 21, 2021
In an unusual admissions year, California’s selective universities more closely evaluate students
With the SAT/ACT not part of admission decisions, universities are looking at other criteria in a most unusual year of record applications to selective schools.
Ashley A. Smith And Larry Gordon
April 5, 2021
Additional math support has helped Cal State freshmen
Education leaders agree increasing state high school math standards is needed, but debate altering CSU admissions to do so.
Ashley A. Smith
March 25, 2021
How the pandemic changed higher education in California
Distance learning and focusing on mental health -- the changes higher education made during the pandemic are here to stay.
Ashley A. Smith, Michael Burke, And Larry Gordon
March 17, 2021
California State University faculty seek paid leave for juggling family care and online teaching
California State University faculty are looking for help as they juggle family and teaching demands.
Ashley A. Smith
March 2, 2021
Quick Guide: California colleges and universities respond to the coronavirus
Get quick answers to common questions about California colleges and universities are responding to the pandemic and how students can access aid and support.
Ashley A. Smith, Michael Burke, And Larry Gordon
February 25, 2021
Financial aid applications lag among California high school seniors
With little more than a week to go, fewer high school students nationally and across California are completing financial aid forms for college.
Ashley A. Smith
February 22, 2021
Reopening California State University hinges on vaccines, new chancellor says
New CSU chancellor lays out his priorities for 2021 including what it will take to reopen campuses for in-person learning.
Ashley A. Smith
February 10, 2021
Newsom’s proposal would create “dual admission” program for community college transfer students
Gov. Newsom proposes new “dual admission” program to ease student transfer from community college to a specific California State University or University of California campus.
Ashley A. Smith
February 3, 2021
Boasting low out-of-state tuition, California State University examines non-resident costs
California State University charges the second-lowest tuition among comparable public universities. Leaders are studying whether to charge more.
Ashley A. Smith
January 26, 2021
Searchable database: How much will colleges and universities get in new round of Covid-19 funds?
Covid-19 relief funds approved in December will deliver $21.2 billion to the nation's colleges and universities. More than $2.83 billion of that total will go to California institutions.
Ashley A. Smith And Daniel J. Willis
January 15, 2021
Windfalls will allow two CA private colleges to expand opportunities for women and students of color
Two private California colleges see multi-million dollar donations from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott that they plan to use for scholarships and programs to support students of color and women.