Thought Leadership
Year in Review 2024: Increasing Student Success with Kaplan’s All Access License
Vice President, University Partnerships, KaplanCelebrating award-winning industry recognition and proven outcomes ensuring students are ready for their next big step over the past year.
Launched in 2022, Kaplan’s All Access License is now two years in and I’ve had the pleasure of leading this groundbreaking program and watching it blossom since the beginning. This was a milestone year as together with our partners we’ve seen remarkable proven outcomes and positive results. Highlights include reaching $1 million in student savings for one partner and seven industry awards/recognitions!
As more students take advantage of this offering on their campuses, we’re hearing heart-touching stories of the impact this made on their lives. And that’s what makes us most proud, that we’re achieving the goal of increasing student success and opening up access for more students to accomplish their career dreams.
As we reflect on 2024, we are immensely excited by the strides we've made in empowering students to achieve their academic and professional goals. From garnering prestigious industry recognition to forging new alliances with respected institutions, we've remained steadfast in our commitment to expanding access to high-quality educational resources and driving meaningful outcomes. This year has been a testament to the power of partnership and innovation in education.
Industry Recognition: A Celebration of Innovation
Our dedication to transforming the educational landscape has been noticed. In 2024, we were honored to receive seven prestigious awards that recognize the All Access License as a cutting edge solution. Even more, the awards we won came from across a variety of categories, from offerings addressing social issues, to EdTech innovation, to successful collaborations with partners, to increasing equity—all showcasing the broad impact of the All Access License.
The EdTech Awards from EdTech Digest - Trendsetter Finalist 2024
Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence 2023 (Awarded in 2024)
American Consortium for Equity in Education’s “Back-to-School” Resource List Recognition 2024-25
These accolades are a testament to our unwavering dedication to providing students with the tools and resources they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Expanding Our Reach: New Partnerships for Greater Impact
In 2024, we expanded our network of partners, collaborating with institutions across the country to make the All Access License program available to even more students. A few of our new partners in 2024 include:
Colorado College
Florida A&M University
From public schools, to private schools, to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), to law schools, our partnerships reflect our commitment to reaching diverse student populations and ensuring that all learners have the opportunity to succeed.
Outcomes Focused: The Power of Partnership
The success of our All Access License program is evident in the tangible outcomes achieved by our partner institutions. Cleveland State University (CSU), for example, reached a remarkable milestone in 2024, exceeding $1 million in student savings in just two years!
Dr. Laura Bloomberg, President of CSU, shared her perspective on the impact of our partnership:
"Thanks to our partnership with Kaplan, Cleveland State University's current students as well as our alumni can participate in the All Access License program. This is a game-changer! Our primary goal always is the success of our students, during their time at CSU and afterward. By removing the financial cost associated with test preparation, our students and graduates have fewer burdens to overcome as they pursue their educational and professional dreams."
CSU's experience demonstrates the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change and empowering students to achieve their full potential. By providing free access to test preparation resources for graduate-level exams like the GRE®, GMAT®, LSAT®, and MCAT®, licensure exams such as the FE and NCLEX®, and micro-credentials like the CAPM, SIE, and Microsoft systems certifications, CSU is removing financial barriers and creating pathways for students to advance their careers.
Ensuring Students Flourish: A Conversation with NYU’s Vice Provost
Dr. Mark Siegal, New York University’s (NYU) Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs, recently sat down with me to have a conversation about how they are helping all students flourish both in their education and beyond to post-graduation. By providing NYU students with unlimited access to test preparation and career development resources through the All Access License, we are helping them achieve their academic and professional aspirations.
Dr. Siegal shared:
"This is why Kaplan's All Access License program is a game changer. We can actually flip a switch and say, 'NYU students, you now have access to the leading test prep courses for these professions and career goals you have.' The ability to do something right away that we knew our students would value—and would value across the student body—was huge for us."
His story underscores our shared commitment to academic excellence and equity, ensuring that all NYU students have the support they need to flourish.
Student Success Stories: Caleb's Journey to Medical School
The impact of our All Access License program is perhaps best illustrated through the individual stories of students whose lives have been transformed by access to our resources. Caleb Mertus, a first-generation college student at Delaware State University (DSU), is a prime example.
With aspirations of becoming a doctor, Caleb faced the daunting challenge of preparing for the MCAT® without the means to afford private test preparation. Through DSU's partnership with Kaplan, Caleb gained free access to our MCAT® prep course, which proved instrumental in his success.
Reflecting on his experience, Caleb shared:
"The first day of my Kaplan course blew away a lot of my fears. My teacher was amazing. I thought I'd be struggling but my instructor taught the course in a way where he explained, 'This test is hard, but with proper practice and coming every day, you'll be able to learn and succeed.' It was comforting."
Caleb's dedication and the support he received through the All Access License program led to a remarkable 30-point increase in his MCAT® score from diagnostic to test day, paving the way for him to pursue his medical school dreams.
"I definitely encourage students to take the courses offered through Kaplan's All Access License. It was a wonderful course and it will really help you. It gives you everything you need to take your exams."
Caleb's story is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact that access to quality educational resources can have on individual lives.
Looking Ahead: A Promising Tomorrow
As we move into 2025, we remain committed to our mission of empowering students to achieve their academic and professional goals. We will continue to innovate, develop new partnerships, and expand access to our resources, ensuring that all learners have the opportunity to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Our journey in 2024 has been one of remarkable achievements and impactful collaborations. We are proud of the progress we have made and excited to continue our work in transforming education and empowering students around the globe.
Are you ready for 2025? Learn more about Kaplan’s All Access License and find out how you too can make an immediate impact on your student experience.
About the Author:
With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, Kim Canning is passionate about enhancing student success and access to education. Kim has a deep understanding of the challenges facing higher education today and leverages this expertise to drive solutions that respond to the needs of students and institutions alike.
In her current role as the vice president of university partnerships at Kaplan, Kim leads a dynamic team focused on collaborating with colleges and universities to enhance academic support resources at an institutional level. Kim’s leadership in spearheading Kaplan’s All Access License initiative has garnered several EdTech industry awards. Connect with Kim at allaccess@kaplan.edu or on LinkedIn.
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