Core Education Launches Foundation to Provide Innovative Financing Options for Non-Traditional and Under-Represented Students

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 4, 2023 – Core Education, a public benefit corporation with a mission to help small and mid-sized institutions transform their business model, today announced the launch of Core Education Foundation. The Foundation will focus on helping non-traditional and under-represented students finance their workforce and skill set certificate tuition through its Bridge to ProsperityTM program. 

Many students are faced with a difficult choice: to pursue or postpone further education. They want to earn a credential that will allow them to advance or change careers, but even $3,000 to $12,000 for a certificate may be financially out of reach. The Foundation created the Bridge to Prosperity program to remove the barrier of up-front tuition payment, increasing access to workforce development and skill-set programs   while  making it easier for non-traditional and under-represented students to reach their full potential. 

The launch of the Foundation underscores Core’s commitment to both students and its institutional partners. As a supporting organization, Core Education is focused on strengthening the prosperity of small and mid-sized colleges and universities. Now, through the Foundation’s Bridge to Prosperity, Core can make a meaningful difference in the lives of students who would otherwise be unable to afford the cost of workforce development and career certificates. 

Leadership of Core Education PBC and the Foundation 

To support Core’s growth with small and mid-sized higher educational institutions, and launch the Foundation, two leaders will expand their responsibilities to grow the organizations  – Kamalika Sandell and Joe Rearden. Sandell will serve as President and Chief Operating Officer at Core Education PBC, and Rearden will lead the Foundation as President. 

“Kamalika and Joe will expand their roles to support strategic objectives as the organizations continue to grow and make a positive impact on both our higher education partners and students,” said Core Education PBC Executive Chairman Rick Beyer. “These new appointments reflect our commitment to innovation and our vision of transforming the higher education ecosystem – for students, colleges, universities, and employers.” 

Sandell brings over 20 years of experience with technology-enabled innovation and growth across education and business, having served in senior leadership roles at New Jersey Institute of Technology, American University, and CapitalOne. A strong  leader with a passion for excellence and a commitment to find new and better performance strategies, Sandell has led numerous large-scale transformations, building partnerships and successfully navigating complexity with creative problem-solving competencies. 

“I am incredibly excited to expand my contributions to Core Education,” said Sandell. “We have an exceptionally talented team, dedicated to innovation and helping transform small and mid-sized institutions by unlocking future growth opportunities and expanding access. Core Education and the Foundation are collectively equipped to play a significant role in serving our mission and addressing critical issues in the American higher education ecosystem.” 

Bringing over 20 years of experience in both business and non-profit organization management, Rearden is uniquely qualified to lead the Foundation. Before joining Core, Rearden served as general counsel and chief financial officer at NJ Edge, a non-profit technology solution provider for higher education institutions. 

“I am honored to lead Core Education Foundation and work toward our goal of ensuring that non-traditional and under-represented students have access to the growing workforce development and certificate market through innovative education financing options,” said Rearden. “The Foundation will increase access to quality workforce development certificates valued by students and employers, with 100% of donations for the Bridge to Prosperity program going to students in need.” 

About Core Education, PBC  

Core Education, PBC is a public benefit corporation with a mission to help small and mid-sized institutions transform their business model. By creating a culture of prosperity, Core leverages its economies of scale to achieve operational effectiveness, technological efficiency, and market expansion implemented through innovative shared services. For more information, please visit core.edu. 

About Core Education Foundation 

Core Education Foundation was founded to help non-traditional and under-represented students finance their workforce certificate tuition by creating a Bridge to Prosperity program. For more information, please visit foundation.core.edu. 

Contact: 
press@core.edu