Intermediary Archives - The GRAD Partnership

Fulfilling Institutional Aspirations at a Service-focused University

East Carolina University (ECU) aspires to be a national model for student success, public service, and regional transformation. In the ECU College of Education, the Rural Education Institute (REI) pursues that goal with a specific focus on rural schools and communities. As one of the flagship programs in the REI, the GRAD Partnership provides a model and mechanism for meeting our goals and fulfilling our aspirations to the benefit of students, families, and communities in rural eastern North Carolina. Notably, we’re talking here about more than simple alignment (i.e., the idea that the structure and content of the GRAD Partnership matches up with the purpose and mission of REI). Our experience suggests that the partnership has elevated our work’s relevance and impact.

Where Personal Experience Meets Professional Purpose: Our Journey with GRAD Partnership

When we signed on as an Intermediary partner with the GRAD Partnership - an initiative housed in Johns Hopkins University’s Everyone Graduates Center - my professional excitement was matched only by my personal investment in this work. As President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, I've spent years witnessing the power of collective impact to transform systems. As the grandmother and guardian of two teenage boys navigating high school in a post-pandemic world, I've experienced firsthand the urgent need for that transformation in schools.

Student Success Systems Highlighted at National Summit on Improvement in Education

This year’s Summit featured a presentation highlighting the work of two GRAD Partnership intermediary organizations implementing student success systems in rural contexts.

Making History at Globe High School

At Globe High School in Arizona, a new GRAD Partnership school, history is still alive and being created every day. Cross-posted from Rural Schools Collaborative April 17, 2025 Located about two hours east of Phoenix lies the scenic town of…

Building Intermediary Connections and Community

Last month, over 100 educators came together to learn, collaborate and inspire each other during the GRAD Partnership’s National Student Support Systems Convening. Over the course of two days, participants shared lessons, strategies and goals with the collective aim of building high-quality student success systems across the nation.

Missouri State helps represent rural schools in national initiative

Ten schools in the Ozarks received a grant for GRAD Partnership from the Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) to implement student-success systems and participate in the rural portion of a national project.

GRAD Partnership School Earns First ‘A’ Rating

A big round of congratulations are in order for the GRAD Partnership’s first spotlight school – Southeast Lauderdale High School – who have recently seen their efforts to support student success systems pay off in a big way.

Building School Connectedness for Student Success at Tulelake Basin High

Recently, the Rural Schools Collaborative Team, along with GRAD Partnership Intermediary North State Together (NST) had the opportunity to meet members of the leadership team working to improve student success and connectedness at Tulelake Basin High School in Tulelake, CA. Their efforts were led by Tara Wright-Baley, the school counselor and a former graduate of Tulelake herself.

TRIO at Anderson and West Valley High Schools

This spring, the Rural Schools Collaborative Team, along with GRAD Partnership Intermediary North State Together (NST), had the opportunity to meet members of the TRIO leadership team working to build student success and connectedness at Anderson Union School District.

Spotlight School: Demopolis High School

Demopolis High School was chosen as the GRAD Partnership’s fifth spotlight school for its success in fostering student-centered mindsets as part of their implementation of a student success system.