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
Pandemic impact continues at Cal State with fall 2022 enrollment decline
Enrollment declines continue for the second year across the Cal State system mirroring a national trend.
Ashley A. Smith
November 23, 2022
CSU will abandon proposal to create fourth year math requirement for admission
When it votes in January, the CSU board of trustees plans to reject a proposal to require a fourth year of high school math for admission.
Ashley A. Smith
November 15, 2022
Growing numbers of California high schoolers dual enroll in college courses, but access uneven statewide
High school students are flocking to dual enrollment programs at community colleges, but enrollments often fail to reflect the racial and ethnic demographics of the high schools they serve.
Ashley A. Smith, Daniel J. Willis, And Yuxuan Xie
November 10, 2022
Former Cal State chancellor displayed 'blind spot' to complaints of sexual harassment at Fresno State, report says
A long-awaited investigative report faults former CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro for failing to stem allegations of sexual harassment by a Fresno State administrator.
Ashley A. Smith
September 29, 2022
Cal State turns to the Legislature for faculty and staff pay increases
The Cal State system knows it needs to give its employees sizable salary and wage increases, but finding and getting the money to do so means relying on the state.
Ashley A. Smith
September 15, 2022
Californians see debt cancellation as a first step; some say more is needed to make an impact
Biden's loan forgiveness plan helps, but some say they still have lots of student debt.
Ashley A. Smith
August 24, 2022
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.