Measuring Higher Education’s Value: A Sneak Peek at HCM at SXSW EDU 2025
News
Jessica Collis, Director of Advocacy & Change Management
In March 2025, SXSW EDU will spotlight an important conversation on how to measure and communicate the true value of higher education. Jessica Collis, HCM Strategists’ Director of Advocacy & Change Management, will be a part of a workshop panel titled “How to Measure & Communicate the Value of Higher Education.” This discussion, part of the Policy & Advocacy track for the conference, tackles a critical issue—ensuring students and families have clear, accurate information when weighing the benefits of a college education.
What You Can Expect
Moderated by Jennifer Dirmeyer, Vice President of Accreditation at the Postsecondary Commission (PSC), the session brings together experts from economics, research, and education advocacy. Joining her on the panel are Preston Cooper, Higher Education Policy Researcher at American Enterprise Institute, and Jamey Rorison, Ph.D., Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Together, they’ll dive deep into how we measure the return on investment (ROI) of college degrees.
Here’s a look at the main topics they’ll cover:
Data Insights: You’ll get a fresh look at the latest data on college ROI. The session will break down how different approaches measure financial returns on education.
Communication Barriers: Presenting complex data in a way that’s clear for students and families isn’t easy. The panel will address strategies for simplifying this information so it helps people make smarter decisions about their education.
Policy Connections: The discussion will explore how policy can drive transparency, requiring institutions to provide clearer, more accessible data for prospective students.
Why It Matters
With college costs on the rise, it’s more essential than ever that students and families fully understand what they’re getting from their investments. At HCM, we envision a future where the value of higher education and career-connected learning is undisputed and that the greater postsecondary ecosystem—inclusive of academic institutions and adjacent workforce, human services, and community organizations—provides a rigorous, relevant, and nimble student experience. We work tirelessly to ensure that higher education is universally accessible and affordable so that all student learners, regardless of race or circumstance, have a path to economic and social mobility.
We’ll be sharing key insights and updates from Jessica’s experience at SXSW EDU 2025, so stay tuned to our blog for highlights from the event.
