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’s universities navigate unprecedented FAFSA mistakes and delays
California faces more difficulties than other states in the unprecedented delays in students learning about their financial aid.
Ashley A. Smith
April 16, 2024
Bills address sexual harassment in California public colleges
Proposals follow a report detailing deficiencies in how the UC, CSU and California community college systems handle complaints.
Ashley A. Smith
April 1, 2024
Cal State extends general education requirements for transfers to first-time freshmen
New requirements approved despite opposition from faculty and students.
Ashley A. Smith
March 27, 2024
Bill would expand nursing bachelor’s degrees to California community colleges
A similar effort failed 10 years ago. Meanwhile, nursing shortages have continued.
Ashley A. Smith
March 26, 2024
CSU campuses focus on new strategies to help students of color
CSU’s Young Males of Color Consortium seeks to create programs across the Cal State system.
Ashley A. Smith
March 6, 2024
California Legislature asked again to ban legacy admissions in all of higher education
Bill would prohibit private colleges from receiving Cal Grant program funding if they favor applicants with donor or alumni connections.
Ashley A. Smith
February 28, 2024
Cal State student assistants and workers vote to unionize
Students across 23 campuses voted to form one of the country's largest student worker organizations.
Ashley A. Smith
February 23, 2024
Students, faculty, staff distrust state college systems’ handling of Title IX cases
A California Assembly report cites significant deficiencies in the handling of sexual harassment and discrimination complaints.
Ashley A. Smith
February 6, 2024
CSU to expand student grants to cover full tuition and living expenses
CSU trustees will get a detailed plan in May for increasing financial aid to students.
Ashley A. Smith
February 1, 2024
Anticipating less state aid, CSU campuses start making cuts
The Cal State campuses are making reductions as lawmakers and the governor grapple with a budget deficit.
Ashley A. Smith
February 1, 2024
Cal State System reaches tentative agreement with faculty on salary
Agreement ends strike after one day. Classes resume Tuesday.
Ashley A. Smith
January 22, 2024
Cal State faculty staging historic systemwide, weeklong strike
The 29,000 Cal State faculty members continue to demand wage hikes and for the administration to return to the bargaining table.
Ashley A. Smith
January 22, 2024
White and male college leadership fails to reflect California's racial, ethnic diversity
A new report by the Campaign for College Opportunity finds women and non-white people are significantly underrepresented among those leading academic senates and holding tenured or tenure-track positions.
Ashley A. Smith
January 17, 2024
What to know about the new FAFSA | Quick Guide
The 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, was delayed by months this year due to changes that created a new, simplified form.
Ashley A. Smith
January 5, 2024
Cal State faculty striking next week in series of one-day actions
Faculty across the 23 CSU campuses will protest and rally for wage increases as negotiations with the nation's largest public university system stall.