A Mission to Eliminate Inequity by Increasing Student Success and Expanding Educational Opportunities
HCM Strategists advances and aligns policies that improve educational outcomes beyond high school to increase equity and social and economic mobility for underserved communities.
We advocate for students who have been left behind by the traditional system of higher education. HCM is committed to eliminating inequities that continue to place students of color and low-income students at a disadvantage in pursuing and completing a postsecondary credential. The importance of this mission has only magnified in light of COVID-19, which altered the education landscape as we know it.
Our team does not shy away from new challenges. We tackle them head-on by working closely with elected officials, colleges and universities, business leaders, non-profit organizations, foundations and alternative providers of postsecondary credentials. We partner with diverse organizations and clients who share our desire and dedication to improving students’ postsecondary outcomes.
Our
Approach
We are effective because we provide the appropriate aspects of engagement that lead to positive outcomes. Our postsecondary practice group offers solutions through the following areas of expertise. Click on each section of the wheel to learn more.
- Federal and State Policy
+ Provide non-partisan facilitation, content expertise and advice to leaders and their staffs in government, legislative and executive branches.
+ Track policy and budget adoption across 50 states. - Strategy
+ Support clients in thinking through long term strategic plans and associated opportunities and metrics.
+ Conduct strategic planning exercises with clients to address their short and long term needs.
+ Advise clients on aligning their priorities, investments and tactics with existing efforts in the field. - Advocacy
+ Build networks of organizations and coalitions to advocate for policy change at the federal and state levels.
+ Identify effective partners to engage in campaigns focused on improving outcomes and closing achievement gaps.
+ Collaborate with various organizations to amplify voices and use student outcome data to build will for change. - Capacity Building
+ Serve as an intermediary to drive adoption of policies and strategies and elevate lessons learned.
+ Co-develop and manage sub-grants and contracts to facilitate policy and advocacy capacity-building.
+ Partner with clients to create new platforms and methods for serving students better. - System and Institutional Support
+ Provide technical support (e.g., training, facilitation) to systems and institutions to support student success.
+ Provide system and institutional assessments to identify barriers and opportunities to increase student retention and completion. - Research copy
Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to:
+ Assess impacts of policies designed to improve student outcomes.
+ Understand how to effectively communicate to stakeholders.
+ Create evidence-based policies and communication materials.

Postsecondary
Case Studies
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Postsecondary
Publications
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