‘A National Admissions Office' for Low-Income Strivers

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/16/upshot/a-national-admissions-office-for-low-income-strivers.html

David Leonhardt

The New York Times

16 September 2014

Text / 800-1500 Words

Attending college is not always a given option for gifted teenagers from less-than-wealthy backgrounds. National organization QuestBridge creates a way for low-income and minority high-achieving students to go to their dream colleges free of cost.

At Cambodia Hotel, The Workers Are The Boss

http://www.npr.org/2013/07/05/190665916/at-cambodia-hotel-the-workers-are-the-boss

Daniel Zwerdling

NPR

5 July 2013

Radio / 5-15 Minutes

Overall, Cambodia is a relatively poor country whose residents don't own much. Norwegian hotel owners in the city of Krong Siem Reap urge their Cambodian staff to be more in charge of making their own decisions by making them co-owners of the hotel, an act that forced them to have more confidence and critical thinking skills.

Beyond the Business Suit

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/beyond-the-business-suit

David Bornstein

The New York Times

28 January 2011

Text / 800-1500 Words

For young people, learning the social norms of the office is crucial for survival in the new economy. Year Up is an organization that is unusually successful at preparing young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds for jobs in big companies.

In Rwanda, Building a “University in a Box”

https://medium.com/bright/in-rwanda-building-a-university-in-a-box-a6202ff37aae

Wyatt Orme

Tik Root

Bright Magazine

4 May 2015

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Kepler University in Rwanda reduces the cost of a university education by hiring teachers based on their willingness to innovate — not necessarily their expertise — and by blending online and in-classroom learning. Students receive the equivalent of a college diploma and job training in order to facilitate a possible rise out of poverty.

Life & Liberty

https://www.deseretnews.com/interactive/2014/life-liberty

Lois M. Collins

Deseret News

10 November 2014

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Veterans who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder number about one-fourth of military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, roughly 500,000 veterans so far. Inmates in prisons nationwide train dogs as companions for these war veterans, providing a sense of healing for all.

How To Turn Adult Education Into Careers, Quickly

http://www.npr.org/2013/11/02/241897572/how-to-turn-adult-education-into-careers-quickly?sc=tw&cc=share

Kavitha Cardoza

NPR

2 November 2013

Radio / 5-15 Minutes

When adults want to return to school, they face many challenges including the experience of long waitlists for classes, and poor relevance to the job skills they need for future employment. The Washington state community college system has started a program known as Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) that instead teaches in two parts: academic content and basic soft skills.

Improving Economic Diversity at the Better Colleges

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/05/improving-economic-diversity-at-the-better-colleges

Peg Tyre

The New York Times

5 February 2014

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Students with low-income that attend public schools can find themselves locked in a system that prevents them from getting into the best colleges, from being unable to afford tuition, to not having the ambition, to not knowing a school that would welcome them. Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA targets high-performing low-income students. The college provides outreach to high school students in poor communities, financial aid to low-income families, summer workshops, and on-site advising and academic support.

Investing in Energy Efficiency Pays Off

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/06/investing-in-energy-efficiency-pays-off

David Bornstein

The New York Times

6 February 2015

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Retrofitting buildings for energy conservation in the United States could save $1 trillion over a decade, reduce American greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent, and create employment across the country. Many universities and other institutions are creating green investment funds to sustain projects that enhance efficiency.

How to Grow a Social Business

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/04/how-to-grow-a-social-business

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

4 February 2011

Text / 800-1500 Words

Two columns on microconsignment, a new variation on microcredit that helps poor people living in developing countries - particularly women in rural villages - start small social businesses without taking on debt or requiring previous business skills. The organization, Soluciones Comunitarias, partners with a non-profit and a university student program to manage the supply chain and other components of the business necessary to support the social entrepreneurs in successful micro-ventures.

Open Access: How a Nonprofit is Giving Techies Without Tuition Their Shot

http://www.fastcompany.com/3048166/tech-forecast/open-access-how-a-non-profit-is-giving-techies-without-tuition-their-shot

Neal Ungerleider

FastCompany

23 July 2015

Text / 800-1500 Words

Access Code is a nonprofit in New York that gives young adults, particularly those from minority groups, instruction and resources to learn coding. This education promotes greater access to lucrative careers in the world of technology.