Ashley A. Smith
Ashley A. Smith covered higher education and other student success reforms for EdSource from 2019 to 2024. She joined the publication 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
California Community Colleges receive $100 million donation to help students facing financial hardships
The largest financial gift ever to the community colleges will help students experiencing financial hardships.
Ashley A. Smith
October 20, 2020
With most California college campuses virtual this year, a select few are in-person
While nearly all courses are being taught virtually across the California public college and university systems, some courses can only be taught in-person; but there’s nothing normal about how those classes are being held.
Ashley A. Smith
September 30, 2020
Incoming California State University leader to take the helm at a “special moment” to address inequality
Joseph I. Castro begins to identify his priorities as the new chancellor of the 23-campus California State University System in a Q & A. He’s the first native Californian, first Mexican American and first CSU president promoted to the position.
Ashley A. Smith
September 25, 2020
Next CSU chancellor pledges to improve graduation rates, despite the pandemic
CSU’s new chancellor says he will improve graduation rates despite the disruption of on-campus classes caused by the pandemic. Joseph I. Castro, president of Fresno State, says the pandemic inspired him to seek the chancellor job.
Ashley A. Smith
September 24, 2020
CSU trustees endorse repeal of affirmative action ban
The CSU’s Board of Trustees voted in favor of Proposition 16 which would repeal the ban on affirmative action for university hiring and admissions. It joins UC and the California Community Colleges boards, which have also come out in favor of affirmative action.
Ashley A. Smith
September 23, 2020
Joseph Castro, Fresno State’s president, selected as new CSU chancellor
CSU, the nation’s largest undergraduate system, made history today naming a Mexican American as the system’s first chancellor of color. The new chancellor is also the first system president to lead the 500,000 student system.
Ashley A. Smith
September 23, 2020
Fewer students attending California community colleges, early fall numbers show
California Community Colleges see an overall drop in fall enrollments with some colleges experiencing double digit losses, according to preliminary data.
Ashley A. Smith
September 21, 2020
Why San Diego State offers a model for how to approach a rise in campus Covid infections
San Diego State took a different path than Chico State, as the first of the CSU campuses to end in-person classes following increases in coronavirus infection.
Ashley A. Smith
September 11, 2020
CSU Chancellor announces 23 campuses to remain virtual for spring term
CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White cited anticipated increases in Covid-19 cases, a lack of testing and no coronavirus vaccine as why campuses won't return to normalcy anytime soon.
Ashley A. Smith
September 10, 2020
Chico State becomes first California university to close dorms after students move in
Chico State and San Diego State shut down in-person classes as coronavirus infections spread on both campuses attributed mostly to off-campus activity.
Ashley A. Smith
September 3, 2020
How California universities welcome students back to campus: testing, contact tracing, few in-person classes
California's universities are opening this week with few in-person classes but dorms will house students and some campuses will have testing and contact tracing.
Ashley A. Smith And Michael Burke
August 26, 2020
Pandemic pushes California college students to change or delay enrollments
Some students delaying enrollment in hopes college classes return to “normal.”
Ashley A. Smith
August 24, 2020
Gov. Newsom signs bill making ethnic studies course a requirement at California State University
Intense dispute between CSU and state legislature ends with Gov. Newsom signing Assembly Bill 1460 that requires freshmen starting in 2021-22 to take an ethnic studies course for graduation that focuses on one of four racial and ethnic groups.
Ashley A. Smith
August 17, 2020
A tale of two ethnic studies proposals for California State University students
Gov. Newsom has until Aug. 19 to decide whether to sign a bill that dictates to the California State University system the ethnic studies courses students must take as a requirement for graduation.
Ashley A. Smith
August 12, 2020
California legislators urge Newsom to sign bill requiring CSU students to take ethnic studies
Presssure builds on Gov. Newsom to impose ethnic studies requirement on CSU dictated by the state legislature. He has until Aug. 15 to sign the bill.