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
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
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 16, 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.
Ashley A. Smith
January 15, 2021
California’s higher education leaders pledge to improve transfers from community colleges
California higher education leaders pledge to improve pathways for students to transfer from community colleges
Ashley A. Smith
January 14, 2021
California college freshmen find alternatives to campus life in a virtual world
As first-time college students, freshmen had so many plans to join clubs and pursue interests outside of their coursework. But, then the pandemic hit forcing creative alternatives.
Ashley A. Smith
December 22, 2020
Fauci puts priority on getting teachers vaccinated and a return to in-person classes
CSU Chancellor White and Dr. Anthony Fauci optimistic about vaccinations and reopening in 2021.
Ashley A. Smith
December 18, 2020
Cal State looks to Sacramento to provide millions to implement ethnic studies
In his exit interview with EdSource, CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White urges the state Legislature to invest in the system with increased funding including funds to add a Legislature-mandated ethnic studies course.
Ashley A. Smith
December 4, 2020
Retiring CSU chancellor says pandemic changes can benefit higher ed
In a wide-ranging interview, outgoing CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White looks ahead to what higher education may look like for students and the systems once the pandemic is over.
Ashley A. Smith
December 4, 2020
College freshmen and high school seniors lagging in completing financial aid applications
The pandemic may be preventing many high school and college freshmen from completing applications for financial aid. At the same time, there are spikes in aid applications from upperclass and graduate college students.
Ashley A. Smith
December 3, 2020
After more than a year of enrolling students, Calbright College makes significant changes and learns from mistakes
After a year in operation, Calbright, California's online only community college, has revised its program and its vision.
Ashley A. Smith
November 17, 2020
Community colleges find an advocate in future First Lady Jill Biden
When she moves into the White House, Jill Biden will make history as the first First Lady to hold a job outside the White House — as a community college English professor.