Colleagues,
If you’re a regular reader of this newsletter, you know that for the past year or so I’ve had the privilege of serving as the Interim Director of the Gates Foundation’s Pathways strategy in addition to my duties as Director of our Postsecondary Success strategy. This interim role has given me the chance to work in new ways with partners we know from the postsecondary space, and to meet with (and learn from) new organizations and leaders specifically focused on helping students see and seize their opportunities after high school. Penning this newsletter has provided a platform to lift up the great work we’re seeing in the field and from our partners, and to share our perspective on the critical changes our education system needs to make in order to put more students on a path to achieving their education and career goals.
While I’m deeply grateful for these opportunities, I’m even more excited to share the news that Cheryl Hyman is joining the Gates Foundation as the new director of our Pathways strategy. Many of you know Cheryl as a visionary leader in higher education transformation, workforce development, and student success. Throughout her career, she has championed innovative, student-centered pathways that help young people successfully transition from high school to postsecondary education and into careers that offer economic mobility.
Cheryl’s experience is an ideal fit for the direction of our strategy and the big bets we’re making in high-quality dual enrollment, college- and career-centric advising, and cross-sector collaboration. As Vice Provost at Arizona State University, she led groundbreaking initiatives like MyPath2ASU, a platform that has helped over 31,000 students plan seamless transitions from community colleges to four-year degrees. Before that, as Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago, she spearheaded a system-wide transformation that doubled graduation rates and launched College to Careers, a nationally recognized model aligning education with workforce needs.
At the foundation, Cheryl will lead our Pathways team and their work supporting and connecting exemplary educators and programs; scaling impactful practices using technology and data; and strengthening national alignment around pathways goals, definitions, and metrics. Her leadership will be instrumental in accelerating the progress we are making together to ensure all students—especially those who are furthest from opportunities and support—have clear, supported pathways to credentials of value and high-demand careers.
Cheryl officially joins us on March 24 and will soon after be taking the pen on this newsletter, so you’ll be able to hear from her directly. This is an important new chapter in our work together, and I couldn’t be more excited to see the expertise, passion, and insight Cheryl will bring to this work.
I will continue my involvement with the Pathways Strategy and team (given the connections to our Postsecondary goals and shared partners) so please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions during this period of transition and growth.
Best,
Patrick Methvin,
Director, Pathways and Postsecondary Success Strategies