The TalentED Project Launches Nationwide to Support College Access and Success

UBS, Tennessee College Access & Success Network and Discovery
Education partner to deliver a free-to-use online platform addressing
challenges faced by lower-income, first-generation college students

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–UBS announced today the national launch of The
TalentED Project, an innovative technology platform designed to
help match lower-income, first-generation college-goers with top
institutions that are a good fit for them. The relationship-based tool
connects admissions recruiters with college access professionals
(guidance counselors and nonprofit leaders) in order to strengthen the
recruitment pipeline of high-potential students.

The program is a partnership between UBS, the Tennessee College Access &
Success Network (TCASN) and Discovery Education, and seeks to address
challenges that lower-income, first-generation students face in
identifying colleges and universities where they are more likely to
receive the support services needed to graduate.

Vanderbilt, Swarthmore, and Butler are among the growing list of
colleges and universities, along with college access professionals from
30 cities, who have participated since the regional pilot this past fall.

The site enables higher education institutions to recruit students in
their junior year, earlier than the traditional recruitment cycle. It
also expands connections between professionals working on behalf of
students, and mitigates the challenges associated with undermatching
– when academically capable students do not apply to selective
schools for which they would be eligible and have a strong potential to
succeed. The site synthesizes key information about institutions,
including affordability and retention.

“The impact of a bachelor’s degree on an individual’s economic and
social mobility, and the benefits to our country as a result, are well
documented,” said Bob McCann, Chairman UBS Americas. “This program aims
to maximize the untapped potential of thousands of talented young
people, particularly those who will be the first in their family to
attend college.”

“High school counselors, teachers and nonprofit staff play a critical
role in supporting students in the admissions process,” said Bob
Obrohta, TCASN Executive Director. “This site strengthens relationships
between access organizations and admissions recruiters nationwide to
make the recruitment process more effective and efficient for everyone –
both professionals and students.”

“Discovery Education is proud to support The TalentED Project as
it creates new opportunities of access for first-generation,
lower-income college students on their path to lifelong success,” said
Lori McFarling, Senior Vice President, Discovery Education. “In today’s
competitive job market, a higher level education is more valuable than
ever, and this program will help students of all backgrounds realize
their potential and increase their chances for college attainment.”

The TalentED Project is a fully-funded program that was built
with feedback from over 150 access and admissions professionals. It is a
part of UBS NextGen Leaders, the firm’s $10 million initiative to
increase college graduation among first-generation and lower-income
college-goers. TCASN serves as the project’s lead content and
implementation partner, and Discovery Education leads the technical
development of the platform along with raising awareness of the
program’s innovative resources to its nationwide community of educators
and students.

About UBS

UBS is committed to providing private, institutional and corporate
clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland, with
superior financial advice and solutions while generating attractive and
sustainable returns for shareholders. Its strategy centers on its Wealth
Management and Wealth Management Americas businesses and its leading
universal bank in Switzerland, complemented by its Global Asset
Management business and its Investment Bank. These businesses share
three key characteristics: they benefit from a strong competitive
position in their targeted markets, are capital-efficient, and offer a
superior structural growth and profitability outlook. UBS’s strategy
builds on the strengths of all of its businesses and focuses its efforts
on areas in which it excels, while seeking to capitalize on the
compelling growth prospects in the businesses and regions in which it
operates. Capital strength is the foundation of its success.

About TCASN

Driven by the mission to increase the number of Tennesseans completing
postsecondary opportunities, TCASN aims to establish a college-going
culture in communities across the state by removing barriers to higher
education, promoting persistence, connecting education and community
leaders, and promoting professional education and information sharing.
TCASN’s membership is approximately 150 organizations that represent
multiple stakeholder groups committed to college access and success,
including K-12 schools, non-profit organizations, higher education
institutions, business, and philanthropy.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital
content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning
digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, and the
largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 3 million
educators and over 30 million students, Discovery Education’s services
are in half of U.S. classrooms, over 40 percent of all primary schools
in the UK, and more than 50 countries. Discovery Education partners with
districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students,
empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions
that increase academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by
Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one
nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education
at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts

Media Inquiries:
UBS
Gregg Rosenberg,
212-713-8842
gregg.rosenberg@ubs.com
or
Discovery
Education
Elizabeth Hillman, 240-662-2664
Elizabeth_hillman@discovery.com