CTN RECEIVES NATIONAL EDGE COMMENDATION

CTN is one of only three recipients for The EDGE Commendation for Innovation in Undergraduate Education from the national organization, the Gardner Institute.  These awards honor the distinguished contributions of a small cohort of individuals and institutions who are currently on the leading “EDGE” of undergraduate education. The awards will be conferred at the Edgerton Salute: A National Convening for Recognition of Undergraduate Innovators on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 1 pm ET.

Dr. Maria Martha Chavez Brummel, CEO of Catch the Next (CTN) Ascender Program for Student and Institutional Advancement is being recognized for the unique equity-based model that aims to cultivate the academic success of underserved students in Texas Community Colleges. CTN is a full service, not for profit, college readiness organization focused on helping Latinos and other students of color accelerate through developmental education course work using a range of pedagogical and institutional reforms. Brummel is one of the nation’s strongest champions for first-generation, low-income students.  She has worked tirelessly with faculty, staff, corporations, funding agencies, policymakers, and community-based organizations to reduce equity gaps, reform developmental education, and ensure that underserved students attain academic success.  The culturally-responsive program she developed, Ascender (Rise), is an outstanding, evidence-based model that is helping hundreds of Texas community college students realize their hopes and dreams.   Because of Dr. Chavez Brummel’s efforts, the Ascender Program is truly at the leading edge of equity-based innovation in American higher education.

The John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education is a non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with colleges, universities, philanthropic organizations, educators, and other entities to increase institutional responsibility for improving outcomes associated with teaching, learning, retention, and completion. Through its efforts, the Institute will strive to advance higher education’s larger goal of achieving equity and social justice.