HBCU Data Leadership Experience
Advancing Institutional Transformation for First‑Gen Success
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FirstGen Forward, with support from The Kresge Foundation, is pleased to announce the upcoming HBCU Data Leadership Experience, an initiative created to strengthen institutional data capacity and support measurable improvements in the experiences and outcomes of first-generation students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
FROM DATA TO ACTION
HBCUs hold a vital place in expanding educational access, developing leaders, and creating pathways to economic and intergenerational mobility. During the HBCU Data Leadership Experience, participating institutions will learn how to strengthen the systems, partnerships, and practices needed to transform data into meaningful institutional action.
The HBCU Data Leadership Experience will bring together cross-functional campus teams to examine how first-generation student data is defined, collected, shared, interpreted, and used throughout the institution.
PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS WILL:
Build Foundational Data Capacity
Clarify data sources, systems, ownership, definitions, and data-collection practices related to first-generation students.
Strengthen Institutional Alignment
Increase collaboration among senior leaders, institutional research and effectiveness professionals, student success teams, faculty, and other campus partners.
Develop Data-Informed Action Plans
Identify institutional priorities and launch targeted data-capacity projects connected to first-generation student outcomes.
Advance Continuous Improvement
Use data, reflection, and ongoing assessment to strengthen institutional practices and support sustainable change.
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?
Each participating HBCU will be encouraged to identify a cross-functional team of approximately 2 representatives, which may include:
- Presidents, provosts, and senior institutional leaders;
- Institutional research, effectiveness, and assessment professionals;
- Student affairs and student success leaders;
- Enrollment management and academic affairs representatives;
- First-generation student initiative leaders;
- Data, technology, and program implementation partners.
ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES
By the conclusion of the Leadership Experience, participating institutions will be positioned to:
- Complete an institutional data-mapping process;
- Establish or strengthen a shared definition of first-generation status;
- Identify critical student lifecycle data-collection points;
- Improve coordination around institutional data priorities;
- Launch a campus-specific data-capacity project; and
- Strengthen the use of data to improve first-generation student retention, completion, and long-term success.
Save the Date(s)
- HBCU Data Leadership Virtual Workshop | October 28, 2026, noon - 1:30 ET
Participating teams will attend a 1.5 hour virtual convening focused on collaborative learning and institutional data mapping. - Guided Implementation | November 2026 - April 2027
Institutions will receive monthly expert coaching, participate in virtual peer-learning communities and office hours, complete milestone check-ins, and receive support as they implement their selected data-capacity projects. - HBCU Data Leadership Virtual Workshop, Part 2 | January 27, 2027, noon - 1:30 ET
Participating teams will attend a 1.5 hour virtual convening focused on collaborative learning and data for decision making. - HBCU Data Leadership Summit | March 25 - 26, 2027
Institutional teams will complete a needs assessment and baseline data-readiness assessment, participate in virtual preparation activities, identify priority challenges, and prepare for the in-person convening.
Contact us!
Thank you for your time and commitment to first-generation student success. Please contact Network@firstgenforward.org should you have any questions.