Ashley A. Smith
Ashley 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. In 2020, Ashley was selected to join the first class of journalists in the ECMC Foundation Higher Education Media Fellowship at the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, to report on career and technical education.
All articles by Ashley A. Smith
Cal State presidents to see at least 7% salary increase
Trustees approve raises plus equity adjustments for presidents across 23-campus system.
Ashley A. Smith
July 13, 2022
Faculty perk at center of issues that led to Castro resignation in use on other CSU campuses
Cal State trustees plan to eliminate the ability of fired administrators to retreat to faculty. Misconduct investigations, and violating university policies are just some ways administrators can lose faculty retreat options.
Ashley A. Smith
July 12, 2022
CSU Long Beach makes mental health priority
Improving mental health services for college students has become a national priority. CSU Long Beach takes a broad approach with 60 initiatives that will unfold through 2025.
Ashley A. Smith
July 8, 2022
With Roe v. Wade overturned, will California’s universities become safe havens for out-of-state students?
With abortion illegal or soon to be banned in 16 other states, California's public universities could become reproductive-health safe havens for out-of-state students.
Ashley A. Smith, Emma Gallegos, Betty Márquez Rosales, And Ashleigh Panoo
June 24, 2022
Cal State Juneteenth symposium focuses on racial progress beyond campus diversity
Policy changes don't follow increased diversity, speakers agree at CSU's first biennial Juneteenth symposium.
Ashley A. Smith
June 17, 2022
New study reveals hidden facts on college for California Asian American and Pacific Islander students
Looking deep into data reveals that there are disparities among Asian American college students in California.
Ashley A. Smith
May 31, 2022
Cal State employees say campus leaders ignore harassment and retaliation at nation’s largest university system
Faculty groups say they lack confidence in CSU trustees while demanding they hold leaders accountable. Sexual assault victims and other CSU San Bernardino employees claim harassment and retaliation.
Ashley A. Smith
May 25, 2022
Study: Cal State system needs to increase staff pay
Efforts are underway to get funding in the state's 2022-23 budget to increase salaries for CSU staff following release of a state-funded study.
Ashley A. Smith
May 23, 2022
Will California teachers be ready to teach ethnic studies? Some say training needed
Some, including key lawmaker, say California teachers won't be properly prepared to teach ethnic studies requirement without special training.
Ashley A. Smith
May 12, 2022
With freshman applications up but transfers down, Cal Poly Pomona faces enrollment challenge
The pandemic and other factors reduced transfer applications across the California State University system.
Ashley A. Smith
April 8, 2022
California’s online community college faces third attempt to shut it down
Calbright College, California's online community college, faces a third attempt to shut it down amid charges that it has received millions in state funding and awarded certificates to only 70 students by the end of 2021.
Ashley A. Smith
March 24, 2022
CSU's interim chancellor becomes second woman in state history to lead the 23-campus system
Former CSUN President Jolene Koester was selected to replace Joseph I. Castro as interim California State University chancellor until a permanent replacement is found.
Ashley A. Smith
March 23, 2022
In wake of Castro resignation, Cal State launches investigations of system's handling of sexual harassment complaints
After saying they had been left in the dark, CSU trustees launch investigations stemming from former Chancellor Joseph Castro's mishandling of sexual harassment complaints while at Fresno State.
Ashley A. Smith
March 22, 2022
Cal State faculty petition demands Legislature investigate sexual harassment across system
Cal State faculty members are pushing for California lawmakers to launch a separate probe into how allegations of sexual harassment are handled, saying they have no confidence in the system's plan to investigate itself.
Ashley A. Smith
March 17, 2022
California selects colleges for first round of grants to expand affordable student housing
California selects colleges to recommend for first round of grants to expand affordable student housing.