The Power of Collaboration

There is strength in peer learning, and four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) recently experienced the value of collaboration at CAEL’s Adult Learner Summit. Co-sponsored by Lumina Foundation and the Center for Innovation in Postsecondary Education (CIPE), this event capitalized on the capacity-building work CAEL has been conducting with the HBCUs in 2024. Held at Winston-Salem State University in July 2024, the Summit brought together Elizabeth City State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Shaw University, and Winston-Salem State University, all Lumina HBCU Adult Learner Initiative (ALI) grantees.

The day was dedicated to recognizing the progress of the HBCU Adult Learner Initiative, building knowledge about strategies to serve adult learners more effectively, and encouraging sharing and collaboration among institutions. The final goal was to begin conversations about sustaining the initiatives beyond the grant funding. To support these goals, CAEL staff, along with representatives from the CIPE team, provided their expertise.

The summit kicked off with site leaders from each institution celebrating their achievements from the first two years of the grant in a session facilitated by CIPE. These successes included drafting credit for prior learning (CPL) policies, creating adult learner-focused engagement materials, providing robust support services for adult learners, and developing new programs tailored to adult students' needs.

After sharing their successes, participants focused on maintaining momentum into the third year and beyond. CAEL staff delineated the ALLIES Framework, CAEL’s change management approach for effectively serving adult learners in postsecondary education, and demonstrated its application through the experiences and results attained by a group of Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) in Texas involved in the Latino Adult Student Success initiative, a cohort-based "Academy Model." While HBCUs and HSIs differ, the elements of the ALLIES framework, and the core principles of data utilization and peer learning in the academy model, could benefit HBCUs in similar ways.

In the spirit of collaboration, the Summit provided an opportunity for each institution to discuss institutional successes and areas of improvement and seek feedback from their peers on how to enhance their work in these areas. This synergistic environment allowed for the exchange of ideas on overcoming challenges and exploring new ways to serve adult learners on their campuses.

Another critical topic covered was the use of data to build buy-in and for continuous improvement. CIPE guided attendees to understand how data visualizations can enhance storytelling and support their initiatives.

The day concluded with the beginning phase of sustainability planning as the grantees prepared to enter the third and final year of the grant. This forward-looking approach ensures that the progress made thus far will continue to benefit Black adult learners well into the future. CAEL will continue to support the institutions in sustainability planning throughout the initiative.

The HBCU Adult Learner Summit exemplified the power of collaboration and shared knowledge. By working together, these HBCUs are improving their practices around effectively serving adult learners, while also setting a standard for institutions to follow nationwide.