HCM Strategists

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 We are thrilled to share that Julie Ajinkya, Ph.D., a senior adviser at HCM Strategists, will speak at the 2024 OCA National Convention in Philadelphia, PA, from July 11-14, 2024. The OCA National Convention is a premier event celebrating and empowering the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. This year's convention, in partnership with the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), focuses on the importance of civic engagement and solidarity in this critical election year. Dr. Ajinkya will share her expertise during one of the breakout sessions, providing valuable insights on education policy and community engagement. This is an exciting opportunity to hear from a leader in the field and engage in meaningful dialogues on essential issues. For more information and to register, visit the 2024 OCA National Convention website. #OCANationalConvention #CivicEngagement #CommunityEmpowerment #AANHPI #EducationPolicy #HCMStrategists #StrongerTogether

We're honored to be part of National Science Foundation (NSF) Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES Initiative and National Network. What is NSF | INCLUDES? Listen below to former Hub Director Andrea Venezia discuss STEM education and systemic change for broadening access and participation to STEM pathways. https://lnkd.in/ga_XVt8z

Wrote about Washington state's efforts to boost homegrown talent - you can read that here: https://lnkd.in/gAcJFYAd

NEW: This year’s flawed and delayed FAFSA rollout is set to widen the already existing gaps in college access. Original analysis out today from TCF's Peter Granville finds that declines in FAFSA completion rates are 20% worse in areas of the country with high poverty and majority Black or Latino residents. The drop-off will mean fewer students of color and students from low-income families going to college in the fall and will likely have ripple effects for years to come. Learn more about the consequences of this year's FAFSA failure, and how schools and Congress can prevent and prepare for drops in enrollment: bit.ly/3xA2hvO

🌟 This week in our "Five Questions With..." series, meet Katie Lynne Morton, Director of Project Management and Client Relations at HCM Strategists! 🌟 Katie Lynne Morton is a dedicated Director who oversees initiatives to improve client servicing efficiency and project management at HCM. With a background in supporting HCM's postsecondary finance and policy work, she has worked with notable clients like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Lumina Foundation. Passionate about education, Katie Lynne holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the College of St. Rose and has experience in youth program coordination and teaching. She resides in Delmar, New York, and enjoys bowling, photography, and cheering on the Boston Red Sox. Her active involvement in her church's mission program is a testament to her commitment to community service. Embark on a captivating journey with Katie Lynne as she shares her experiences and dedication to HCM's mission. Learn about her unique perspective on supporting clients and her involvement in community service. 📚 Explore Katie Lynne's story and commitment to transforming education and supporting her community. Read her full interview here: https://bit.ly/3zgQ5jY #HCMStrategists #TeamSpotlight #ProjectManagement #ClientRelations #Education #CommunityService

According to Lumina Foundation - Gallup 2024 State of Higher Education Study, 87% of learners report one reason they stopped out of college is because of the cost of finishing their degree. The second reason learners say they stopped out was because of conflicts with their work schedule, quickly followed by 70% of learners pointing to a lack of remote, or other flexible program option. These findings make clear that learners increasingly enroll in higher education alongside many other obligations, and need affordable, flexible options to complete a degree. These reasons for stopping out �� cost, work, and flexibility – are not independent of one another but intrinsically related to how learners experience and pay for higher education. Expanding access to high quality online and hybrid programs that meet learners where they are will keep more higher education learners enrolled and hold down costs to learners by allowing them to continue to work while completing their degree. Read more about how higher education can build more flexible systems in our paper, Online by Design: How Learner-Centered Higher Education Design And Delivery Accelerates Equitable Access And Outcomes. https://lnkd.in/dZp_wanT Higher education must also work to reengage learners who have stopped out. One way to do this is by streamlining the credit transfer process and expanding access to credit for prior learning. Our recent paper, The Costs of Today’s College Credit Transfer System for Learners and the Mindsets and Practices That Reduce Them, estimates that learners who transfer to a private institution may accrue more than $26,000 in additional costs and those transferring to a public institution more than $13,000. https://lnkd.in/e2BbhDzF #highered #todaysstudents

🌟 This week in our "Five Questions With..." series, meet Ashsali Hamlet, Project Administrator at HCM Strategists! 🌟 Ashsali is a dedicated Project Administrator who provides project management, data collection, and general support to HCM's postsecondary team. Ashsali joined HCM to help make positive changes in communities through education policy. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Denver, with a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice and plans to pursue a master's degree. She is passionate about advocating for criminal justice reform. A Denver native, Ashsali enjoys spending time with her two sons, playing video games and sports. She is also a singer and rapper in a local EDM Bass Hip-Hop group and loves playing the piano, producing music, and exploring the Rocky Mountains. Embark on a captivating journey with Ashsali as she shares her experiences and dedication to HCM's mission. Learn about her unique perspective on supporting nontraditional students and her involvement in projects like the College Attainment for Parent Students (CAPS). 📚 Explore Ashsali's story and her commitment to transforming education. Read her full interview here: https://bit.ly/3RwlHs6

The topic is serious, but the conversation was engaging. Thanks for having me Future U Podcast

🌟 This week in our "Five Questions With..." series, meet Darryl Hill, Ed.D., Partner at HCM Strategists! 🌟 Darryl Hill, Ed.D., is a force in the field, dedicated to enhancing outcomes for underserved students and broadening access to postsecondary opportunities. With a wealth of experience, including pivotal roles at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and as Assistant Superintendent for School Accountability and Governance in Fulton County Schools, Darryl has a proven track record in data utilization, performance analysis, and strategic planning. He holds multiple degrees, including a Doctor of Education from Harvard University, and is an active contributor to the education and mathematics communities through various board memberships. Darryl resides in Atlanta, Georgia, where he enjoys quality time with his family and supports his favorite sports teams. Embark on a captivating journey with Darryl, from his humble beginnings as an academic coach to his impactful role at HCM Strategists. Experience his unwavering commitment to making educational systems more accessible, affordable, accountable, and equitable. Uncover the partnerships and projects that fuel his passion today. 📚 Explore Darryl's story and his commitment to transforming education. Read his full interview here: https://bit.ly/45p5zyh

Proud to have been a part of this case study with The Higher Ed Equity Network. "How Institutions Can Increase Social Mobility for Key Populations through Strategic Data Use" surfaces barriers that impede institutions’ ability to establish strong data use practices and culture. It also highlights bright spots of high-impact data practices at various institution types, including #HBCUs, #HSIs, and #NASNTIs. Hear from Institute for Higher Education Policy's Diane Cheng and American Institutes for Research's Alexandria Walton Radford, leaders of the network's task group focused on data use to support better economic mobility for Black, Latino/a/x, and Indigenous students, as they talk about key findings from the case study that are informing strategies and next steps for this work. Download the case study: https://lnkd.in/eAazNRVG https://lnkd.in/gpyjQH55