The TalentED Project Launches Nationwide to Support College Access and Success

UBS, Tennessee College Access & Success Network and Discovery Education partner to deliver a free-to-use online platform addressing challenges faced by lower-income, first-generation college students

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- UBS announced today the national launch of The TalentED Project, an innovative technology platform designed to help match lower-income, first-generation college-goers with top institutions that are a good fit for them. The relationship-based tool connects admissions recruiters with college access professionals (guidance counselors and nonprofit leaders) in order to strengthen the recruitment pipeline of high-potential students.

The program is a partnership between UBS, the Tennessee College Access & Success Network (TCASN) and Discovery Education, and seeks to address challenges that lower-income, first-generation students face in identifying colleges and universities where they are more likely to receive the support services needed to graduate.

Vanderbilt, Swarthmore, and Butler are among the growing list of colleges and universities, along with college access professionals from 30 cities, who have participated since the regional pilot this past fall.

The site enables higher education institutions to recruit students in their junior year, earlier than the traditional recruitment cycle. It also expands connections between professionals working on behalf of students, and mitigates the challenges associated with undermatching – when academically capable students do not apply to selective schools for which they would be eligible and have a strong potential to succeed. The site synthesizes key information about institutions, including affordability and retention.

“The impact of a bachelor's degree on an individual's economic and social mobility, and the benefits to our country as a result, are well documented,” said Bob McCann, Chairman UBS Americas. “This program aims to maximize the untapped potential of thousands of talented young people, particularly those who will be the first in their family to attend college.”

“High school counselors, teachers and nonprofit staff play a critical role in supporting students in the admissions process,” said Bob Obrohta, TCASN Executive Director. “This site strengthens relationships between access organizations and admissions recruiters nationwide to make the recruitment process more effective and efficient for everyone – both professionals and students.”

“Discovery Education is proud to support The TalentED Project as it creates new opportunities of access for first-generation, lower-income college students on their path to lifelong success,” said Lori McFarling, Senior Vice President, Discovery Education. “In today’s competitive job market, a higher level education is more valuable than ever, and this program will help students of all backgrounds realize their potential and increase their chances for college attainment.”

The TalentED Project is a fully-funded program that was built with feedback from over 150 access and admissions professionals. It is a part of UBS NextGen Leaders, the firm's $10 million initiative to increase college graduation among first-generation and lower-income college-goers. TCASN serves as the project's lead content and implementation partner, and Discovery Education leads the technical development of the platform along with raising awareness of the program’s innovative resources to its nationwide community of educators and students.

About UBS

UBS is committed to providing private, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland, with superior financial advice and solutions while generating attractive and sustainable returns for shareholders. Its strategy centers on its Wealth Management and Wealth Management Americas businesses and its leading universal bank in Switzerland, complemented by its Global Asset Management business and its Investment Bank. These businesses share three key characteristics: they benefit from a strong competitive position in their targeted markets, are capital-efficient, and offer a superior structural growth and profitability outlook. UBS's strategy builds on the strengths of all of its businesses and focuses its efforts on areas in which it excels, while seeking to capitalize on the compelling growth prospects in the businesses and regions in which it operates. Capital strength is the foundation of its success.

About TCASN

Driven by the mission to increase the number of Tennesseans completing postsecondary opportunities, TCASN aims to establish a college-going culture in communities across the state by removing barriers to higher education, promoting persistence, connecting education and community leaders, and promoting professional education and information sharing. TCASN’s membership is approximately 150 organizations that represent multiple stakeholder groups committed to college access and success, including K-12 schools, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, business, and philanthropy.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 3 million educators and over 30 million students, Discovery Education’s services are in half of U.S. classrooms, over 40 percent of all primary schools in the UK, and more than 50 countries. Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160315006074/en/

Media Inquiries:
UBS
Gregg Rosenberg, 212-713-8842
[email protected]
or
Discovery Education
Elizabeth Hillman, 240-662-2664
[email protected]

Source: UBS

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