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. She has a Master’s degree from the University of Southern California and a B.A. in Journalism from 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 graduation rates remain flat for second consecutive year
CSU pledges to improve four-year graduation rates as a 2025 goals deadline approaches.
Ashley A. Smith
October 23, 2023
What you need to know about student loan debt and repayments | Quick Guide
The end of the pandemic pause means student borrowers as of Oct. 1 resumed loan payments. Here's a guide for anyone who owes college debt or who is looking to borrow money for college.
Ashley A. Smith
October 6, 2023
Despite low public tuition, California ranks in top third among states for average student debt
While many college students in the Golden State do not have to borrow to pay for college because of relatively low tuition in public colleges, many of those who do carry risky debt including graduate and parent debt.
Ashley A. Smith
September 28, 2023
Cal State students will see 6% tuition hike
CSU's desperate need for more cash to operate won out over student and faculty pleas not to raise tuition. A 6% hike goes into effect in 2024.
Ashley A. Smith
September 13, 2023
Cal State trustees decide this week on 6% tuition rate hike, but with a sunset provision
Faculty union opposes tuition rate increase, despite Cal State assertions that it will help improve compensation.
Ashley A. Smith
September 12, 2023
A first for California’s incarcerated students: Now they can earn master’s degrees
Incarcerated students now have opportunity to earn master's degrees from Cal State campus.
Ashley A. Smith
August 31, 2023
Earning bachelor's degrees behind bars on the rise in California
With the promise of higher education, incarcerated people are working to change their lives on the inside. Of California's 34 state prisons, eight offer bachelor degree programs.
Ashley A. Smith
August 24, 2023
Transferring from California community colleges? It’s a tough road, EdSource survey finds
It's tough for most students trying to transfer from a California community college to a university to know what courses to take. That's what more than half of the students completing an EdSource survey said. It's all part of a deeper look into why and how it can be fixed.
Ashley A. Smith And Michael Burke
July 24, 2023
California State Auditor also finds Cal State failed to address some sexual harassment on campuses
State auditor issues new report critical of California State University's handling of sexual harassment and misconduct complaints across the system, findings that parallel a separate, independent report ordered by CUS and issued a day earlier.
Ashley A. Smith
July 18, 2023
Cal State needs to fix a broken system of addressing sexual harassment and discrimination complaints, report says
Cal State's chancellor's office can and should do more to help its 23 campuses deal with sexual harassment complaints, a long-awaited report concludes.
Ashley A. Smith
July 17, 2023
Cal State's new chancellor is inheriting a system in turmoil
Mildred García says she's up for the challenge of leading the California State University system at a unique time of turmoil and challenge.
Ashley A. Smith
July 12, 2023
Mildred García selected as new California State University chancellor
Garcia's appointment was announced Wednesday. She begins her job as chancellor on Oct. 1. She is the first Latina to lead the 23 campus system.
Ashley A. Smith
July 12, 2023
Cal State trustees to consider multiyear 6% tuition increase
Students protest the move, citing unaffordable housing conditions and poor economy.
Ashley A. Smith
July 11, 2023
New report recommends Cal State plan for a tuition increase for fall 2024
Facing financial pressures, Cal State may consider a tuition increase. Since 2011, tuition at CSU has increased just once, by 5%, in 2017.