Statement from Arnold Ventures’ Kelly McManus on the Release of Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Authorize the Postsecondary Student Success Grants Program

WASHINGTON D.C. (Mar. 20, 2024) – ​“For millions of college students, the journey through higher education ends much too early. They leave their institutions before earning the certificate or degree that they’re seeking. These students are out the time and money they spent in higher education, left with student debt they often cannot afford to repay, and are unable to reap the full benefits that their program promised in their careers.

Colleges can, and should, do more to prevent these harmful student outcomes. We have a robust and growing body of evidence that schools can implement policies and practices that help their students succeed in higher education. I applaud Sen. Heinrich (D‑N.M.) and Reps. Stansbury (D‑N.M.) and Chavez-Deremer (R‑Ore.) for this week’s introduction of the Postsecondary Student Success Act, which would work to maximize students’ and taxpayers’ investments in higher education by supporting institutions in building and scaling promising and proven practices. 

Already, Arnold Ventures has open Requests for Proposals to support the rigorous evaluation of higher education interventions that bolster retention and completion. As colleges and universities engage in the hard work of improving the quality and value of their institutions, with the support of policymakers through this legislation, we are excited by the shared commitment to rigorous and evidence-driven progress in Congress today.” 

Kelly McManus
Vice President of Higher Education
Arnold Ventures

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Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy that supports research to understand the root causes of America’s most persistent and pressing problems, as well as evidence-based solutions to address them. By focusing on systemic change, AV is working to improve the lives of American families, strengthen their communities, and promote their economic opportunity. Since Laura and John Arnold launched their foundation in 2008, the philanthropy has expanded, and Arnold Ventures’ focus areas include education, criminal justice, health, infrastructure, and public finance, advocating for bipartisan policy reforms that will lead to lasting, scalable change. As signatories of the Giving Pledge, the Arnolds have committed to giving away most of their wealth during their lives.

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