Dr. Miguel A. Cardona Secretary of Education | Official website
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced at the U.S. Department of Education’s Attaining College Excellence and Equity Summit the launch of a new Postsecondary Student Success Recognition Program. The program aims to recognize institutions of higher education that support students in completing affordable credentials that prepare them for success. The public has been invited to submit suggestions to the Department regarding this new initiative within a 30-day period.
The initiative is part of the Department’s Raise the Bar campaign, which strives to increase postsecondary completion rates, narrow completion gaps, and ensure all students achieve valuable credentials. The summit, attended by nearly 200 leaders, focuses on supporting student success through evidence-based policies like holistic advising and wraparound services.
In his remarks, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona highlighted the vision behind the program, stating, "Imagine a world where schools with the most Pell Grant recipients are ranked highest... Imagine universities raising the bar for access and equity becoming household names. This award seeks to make that world possible."
The Department is seeking input from the field to understand institutions' efforts in promoting student success and economic mobility. This includes suggestions on metrics for eligibility and selection, data-driven success strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of student success and economic mobility initiatives.
The Biden-Harris Administration has been dedicated to fostering economic mobility through a new vision of college excellence since its inception. The Department plans to release an application later this year for eligible institutions to provide further data on their strategies for ensuring all students earn valuable credentials. The award recipients are expected to be announced in early 2025.
For more information on the RFI and how to submit comments, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.