President Drake joins higher education leaders to help activate talent

Ohio State University President Michael V. Drake joined nearly 100 presidents and provosts from across the nation today at the American Talent Initiative Presidential Summit to advance the goal of increasing college access and success for low- and moderate-income students.

Drake, along with Michael Bloomberg, Aspen Institute President Dan Porterfield and other experts, discussed current programs that are aiding students and explored opportunities for collaboration among members of the American Talent Initiative.

ATI is a first-of-its-kind partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, Ithaka S+R and the Aspen Institute to enroll and graduate an additional 50,000 low- and moderate-income students at top-performing colleges and universities over the next decade. The initiative has continued to grow and now has more than 100 member institutions from all areas of the country.

ATI member schools have increased enrollment of students who receive federal Pell grants by 7,291 since the 2015-16 school year. This momentum, highlighted in 

A 2018 Report on the Progress of the American Talent Initiative in its First Two Years, released last month, indicates that ATI is on track to reach its goal. This fall, Ohio State enrolled 7 percent more new first-year Pell students on the Columbus campus than in fall 2017 at a time when admissions have never been more competitive.

Ohio State’s effort is aided by a commitment to access, affordability and excellence. The goals are a key pillar in the university’s Time and Change strategic plan. The university’s commitment includes more than $150 million in additional financial aid for low- and moderate-income students since 2015.