Dear colleagues,
This is the first edition of this newsletter I have the pleasure of authoring, and I want to begin by expressing gratitude for the leadership and insight Patrick Methvin provided on this platform while serving as Interim Pathways Director in addition to his duties leading the foundation’s Postsecondary Success team.
I’m thrilled to be joining the Gates Foundation as the new Director of Education Pathways – especially at such an exciting time in the foundation’s history. This pathways work is deeply personal to me. I grew up on the West Side of Chicago in a family that faced significant challenges, including substance use. I saw firsthand how systems too often fail families like mine—not because of a lack of potential, but because of a lack of opportunity and support. Those early experiences shaped my lifelong commitment to ensuring that students who face similar barriers are seen, supported, and set up to thrive.
My career has spanned both the private and public sectors, from becoming a vice president at a Fortune 50 company to leading the transformation of the City Colleges of Chicago. At every step, I’ve chosen to use my platform to open doors for others. I’ve learned how to analyze challenges from multiple angles, how to piece together and adapt complex systems, and how to lead change that puts people—not process—at the center. My most recent work at Arizona State University similarly focused on scaling access to education after high school in innovative, meaningful ways.
Joining the Gates Foundation is a natural next step. The Foundation’s focus on creating clear, connected educational pathways resonates deeply with the work I’ve led throughout my career. It also aligns with my belief that the most powerful way to break cycles of poverty and open up lifelong opportunity is through high-quality education that meets students where they are and helps them move forward with purpose.
What excites me most about leading the Pathways strategy is the chance to shape a national agenda that drives real, measurable impact—not just within institutions, but in the lives of students and their families. We have a unique opportunity to help reimagine how students transition from high school to college to meaningful careers. That’s a powerful lever for social and economic mobility and one that requires collaboration across sectors, innovation rooted in real-world outcomes, and a relentless focus on what works.
I’m honored to bring my experience and passion to this role. With the foundation’s resources and reach, and a strong team committed to transforming systems, I believe we can help build a future where more students—regardless of their background—can access the tools, guidance, and opportunities they need to succeed. I look forward to the journey ahead and the opportunity to use this space to share more about the incredible work of our partners and others in the sector working to create a system where all students have the access and support they need to create the futures they want.
Cheryl Hyman
Director, Education Pathways
What we’re reading
- A new report from the College in High School Alliance spotlights how large urban districts are making significant gains in dual enrollment – with a strong focus on first-generation students. The report outlines practical strategies, such as covering student costs and providing advising, that closely align with the evidence on what make high-quality programs successful.
- April marked the first gathering of the Commission on Purposeful Pathways, a time-bound initiative bringing together current students, recent graduates and 22 leaders from a range of backgrounds (K12 to higher ed, research to policy, implementation to ideation) to better define and connect those key experiences that empower students to successfully see, understand, and get and stay on great pathways. Learn more about the Commission here.
- New dual enrollment courses are often perceived as “competition” to existing Advanced Placement (AP) classes in a high school. However, each type of course has its own advantages and other aspects to take into consideration. Earning College Credit in Indiana Schools: Dual Credit, Advanced Placement, or Both? explains how UCAN schools integrated new dual enrollment classes into their early college programs while maintaining AP class options.
- Too often transfer students are overlooked in postsecondary conversations. The Aspen Institute and CCRC have created a Transfer Playbook 2.0 to offer practical guidance for improving outcomes for transfer students. Streamlining transfer isn’t just an administrative fix—it’s a critical step in creating coherent, high-value pathways that serve more students, especially those starting in community colleges.
- As AI tools become more integrated into education and the workplace, understanding how they can support—not replace—human connection and guidance will be critical. Chatbots may not have all the answers, but they’re starting to change how people seek advice, motivation, and even meaning. This Axios article explores the growing use of AI chatbots as mentors for students and workers.