Ashley A Smith

Ashley A. Smith covered community colleges, for-profit schools and non-traditional students for Inside Higher Ed. She joined the publication in 2015 after covering government and K-12 education for the Fort Myers News-Press in Florida for three years. Ashley also covered K-12 and higher education for three years at the Marshfield News-Herald in Wisconsin. She has interned with The Flint Journal, USA Today and the Detroit Free Press. Ashley grew up in Detroit and is a 2008 graduate of Michigan State University. She joined EdSource in July 2019.

Michele Siqueiros, president of the Campaign for College Opportunity, hosts a panel discussion with California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian, California State University Chancellor Mildred Garcia, and University of California President Michael Drake. CREDIT: Ahsley A. Smith/ED Source.

White and male college leadership fails to reflect California’s racial, ethnic diversity

January 19, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.

With some of the most racially and ethnically diverse student bodies in the country, California’s public community colleges and universities fail to mirror its students in teaching and leadership positions.

Patrick Acuña

Unique college-in-prison program to get guaranteed Cal State transfer admission

November 8, 2023 at 1:12 p.m.

Graduates from one of the most unusual community colleges in the country will soon receive guaranteed admission if they choose to transfer to the California State University system.

Students walk across campus at the California State University East Bay campus on Feb. 25, 2020.

Cal State graduation rates remain flat for second consecutive year

October 24, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

California State University’s four-year graduation rates remain flat for the 23-campus system just two years before the end of a 10-year deadline to dramatically improve them.

Students, faculty and staff protest a potential tuition increase across the California State University system. (Michael Lee-Chang/ Students for quality education/EdSource)

Cal State trustees decide this week on 6% tuition rate hike, but with a sunset provision

September 12, 2023 at 12:15 p.m.

California State University trustees will decide this week on whether students will see a 6% tuition rate increase over the next five years.

Eight of the state’s 34 adult prisons have started or are soon to begin partnerships that award four-year degrees. Julie Leopo-Bermudez / EdSource

Students earn college degrees in expanded California prison program

August 25, 2023 at 6:32 a.m.

For years, incarcerated people in California’s state prisons have been able to earn associate degrees.

Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. Credit: Allan Hancock College / Flickr. (EdSource)

Transferring from California community colleges? It’s a tough road, survey finds

July 24, 2023 at 12:23 p.m.

Jacob Beeman’s transfer goals were pushed back by about a year because he was taking the wrong community college classes to transfer.

The search committee for the next CSU chancellor held the second of three public forums at Cal State Bakersfield on Wednesday. (Emma Gallegos/EdSource)

Probe into Title IX at CSU calls for changes across all 23 campuses

July 18, 2023 at 12:26 p.m.

Sexual harassment and discrimination complaints across California State University are largely ignored, according to a long-awaited report.

Mildred Garcia, new chancellor-select of the California State University System. CREDIT: CAL STATE FULLERTON/FLICKR

Mildred Garcia selected as new California State University chancellor

July 12, 2023 at 11:31 a.m.

The California State University announced Wednesday that Mildred Garcia, the current president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities will lead the 23 campus system as the new...

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Despite decades of calls to action, California community college students face roadblocks to transfer

May 18, 2023 at 6:23 a.m.

Many students enroll in community college planning to transfer to the University of California or California State University.

re California high school students applied for free federal and state financial aid for college this year than last. (JULIE LEOPO / EDSOURCE)

California sees boost in student applications for college financial aid

March 27, 2023 at 10:59 a.m.

More California high school students applied for free federal and state financial aid for college this year than last —likely showing that a new state law is having a positive...

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