Baruch College Celebrates “High-Flier” Recognition from Aspen Institute, American Talent Initiative and Bloomberg Philanthropies
February 13, 2024
Baruch College President S. David Wu (center) was joined by a group of special guests –– including Bloomberg Philanthropies Program Lead Nick Watson (left) and The Aspen Institute’s President & CEO Dan Porterfield (right) at an event to celebrate Baruch’s designation as an American Talent Initiative “High-Flier.”
Baruch President S. David Wu and leaders from The Aspen Institute, the American Talent Initiative (ATI), and Bloomberg Philanthropies recently celebrated the College’s designation as an ATI “high-flier,” a group of 28 high-graduation-rate institutions that are national leaders in college access and success for lower-income students.
At the February 6th event —”Activating Next Gen Talent”— President and CEO Dan Porterfield of The Aspen Institute, ATI’s parent organization, and Bloomberg Philanthropies Program Lead Nick Watson joined President Wu for a fireside chat to discuss a shared commitment to providing access to a top-quality college education for those who are traditionally underrepresented and underserved.
Joining the conversation were special guests Abigail Hollingsworth, Senior Vice President and Foundation Executive at Bank of America and two Baruch alumni –– Aliou Sidibe (BBA ’19 and MS ’20), a Senior Technology Consultant at EY; and Briana Staten (BBA ’22 and MS ’23), a Senior Precision Analyst with Digitas North America.
In his welcoming remarks, President Wu pointed to the myriad of challenges in higher education that our society faces today, including crushing student debt, skyrocketing tuition costs and the drastic divestment in public education over the last few decades.
One solution to this critical situation can be found in “creating strategic public and private partnerships, much like you’re seeing at today’s event,” said President Wu.
He continued, “Baruch is joining forces with ATI, the Aspen Institute, and Bloomberg Philanthropies to meet these challenges head on. We share a goal: to ensure that traditionally underrepresented and underserved students have access to a world-class education paired with top-notch career and student services – which will prepare them to be creative, collaborative, and pioneering leaders in tomorrow’s economy.”
# # #