Achieving the Dream

Don't miss this unique opportunity! Achieving the Dream's 12th annual Data & Analytics Summit brings together higher education professionals to explore how digital transformation and data empowerment can accelerate student success, strengthen institutional effectiveness, and unlock economic mobility for the communities that colleges serve! Register today!

Learn more and register: https://achievingthedream.org/datasummit2026

Real, systemic change across K–12 and higher education isn't possible without partners who believe in the long-term vitality of our communities.

As we wrap up the 2026 K–College Institute, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Lumina Foundation for their support.

National perspectives, regional ex*****on. This morning at the K-College Institute, three former U.S. Department of Education leaders—Amy Loyd (All4Ed), Elizabeth Texeira (Britebound), and John Garcia III, Ed.L.D. (StriveTogether)—shared their reflections on how cross-sector alignment has evolved.

The major takeaway? As leadership shifts away from a federal focus, the responsibility to sustain partnerships and strengthen pathways continues with states, regions, and intermediary organizations. Higher education leaders must be ready to drive these collaborations locally. Drawing on their unique vantage points across policy, practice, and philanthropy, the panelists will explore how to translate shared priorities into durable partnerships across our communities.

We are thrilled to welcome El Camino College to the ATD Network! As we prepare to announce more colleges, we’re looking for institutions ready to transform the student experience. Would you like to be one of our newest Network colleges?

Join a community of peers dedicated to economic mobility and academic excellence. Community colleges interested in joining the growing ATD Network are encouraged to learn more and contact us at: https://achievingthedream.org/service/foundations-of-transformation/

Achieving the Dream's 12th annual Data & Analytics Summit brings together higher education professionals to explore how digital transformation and data empowerment can accelerate student success, strengthen institutional effectiveness, and unlock economic mobility for the communities that colleges serve!

Learn more and register: https://achievingthedream.org/datasummit2026

Have you registered for ATD’s 2026 K-College Institute?

The Institute brings together colleges and communities that are driving student engagement through equitable access and holistic student supports.

Register today: https://achievingthedream.org/kcollegeinstitute2026

Virtual webinar: Strategies to Support Self-Directed Learning in Online College Courses

College educators, instructional designers, academic leaders, and student success professionals are invited to join a public webinar at 3pm ET on July 16 to explore a new Self-Directed Learning (SDL) Instructional Model, an evidence-based approach designed to strengthen student learning, engagement, and success in online and hybrid courses.

Developed by the Postsecondary Teaching with Technology Collaborative – a federally funded research, development, and capacity-building partnership between SRI, the Community College Research Center at Columbia University's Teachers College, Achieving the Dream, and nine colleges and universities – the model provides practical, flexible instructional strategies to support students in managing their remote learning more effectively.

Centering on key dimensions of self-directed learning, including motivation, planning, reflection, help-seeking, and growth mindset, the model is the result of five years of research and collaboration between the Collaborative, educators, administrators, and students in community colleges and broad-access four-year institutions across the U.S.
The free virtual webinar, led by Collaborative researchers and student and faculty pilot study participants from Odessa College, will offer a detailed exploration of the instructional model, an overview of its accompanying implementation and campus resource guides, and an interactive Q&A.

Thursday, July 16, 2026, 3 - 4pm ET
Registration: https://events.zoomgov.com/ev/Aj9WS2syt5M-tQPUIFQJnneK_cCd8gQ2yGQOUiFMFQ6C0yEqd3If~Ai6RhOWHcxyct67FGgdS4tubckYKIFit-eRSaj47DRbrOeTfsD_wxgx8jw

Achieving the Dream's 12th annual Data & Analytics Summit brings together higher education professionals to explore how digital transformation and data empowerment can accelerate student success, strengthen institutional effectiveness, and unlock economic mobility for the communities that colleges serve!

Learn more and register: http://achievingthedream.org/datasummit2026

At Louisiana State University Eunice, a bold focus on digital skills, workforce alignment, and community partnerships is helping rural students connect to new economic opportunities while transforming the future of the region.

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Digital skills, tangible opportunities at LSU-Eunice - Achieving the Dream Louisiana State University Eunice (LSUE) occupies a unique space in higher education: It’s the only two-year institution in the LSU system and has the highest transfer rate in the state. Students who transfer to four-year universities from LSUE have high rates of success, making the college a powe...

ATD's Susan Adams explores how Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) is building an institution-wide approach to AI that aligns teaching, workforce needs, and student success.

ATD Network institution CVTC has long made workforce alignment central to its mission. With the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), the goal remained the same — preparing students for workplace success — but as employers and educators alike grappled with AI’s potential impact, the college found itself rethinking how it engaged employers, prepared faculty, and anticipated emerging workforce needs.

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How Chippewa Valley Technical College developed an AI workforce strategy - Achieving the Dream Serving western Wisconsin through more than 165 programs, certificates, and apprenticeships designed with employer input, ATD Network institution Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) has long made workforce alignment central to its mission. With the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI...