Articles

Reality Check with Jeanne Allen: Steve Klinsky

As Americans have watched the cost of traditional college and even the cost of preparation for college rise astronomically over the years, the result has been crushing student loan debt. It has also sadly shattered the dream of even attending college for millions of students. Steve Klinsky, investor, active philanthropist and long-time education reformer conceived a solution that could serve as an “on-ramp to college” and began writing editorials describing his concept in 2012. By 2014, the “Freshman Year for Free” initiative was a reality – allowing students to earn up to one year of college credit without tuition or textbook expense. Today Steve Klinsky is the founder and CEO of Modern States, a non-profit education alliance dedicated to college access for all in partnership with edX, the leading online learning platform founded by Harvard and MIT.