Lumina’s Data & Research

Increasing enrollment and re-enrollment

Most research on enrollment and re-enrollment focuses on traditional-age students, even though institutions increasingly serve adult learners. We want to build better data sources on students seeking or considering short-term credentials. Our research and evaluations seek to understand practices and policies that help adult learners enroll in and complete programs that lead to high-quality credentials.

Increasing persistence

Regardless of institutional type, inequities exist—and have always existed—in the persistence rates of older students and students of color. Many such students are caregivers, working full-time, veterans, and the first in their families to go to college. They need a system that is flexible, affordable, and responsive to their needs.

It is critical to identify evidence-based policies and practices that can help these student groups overcome barriers and complete their programs. To help more students persist, we work to create data systems that include all student characteristics (race, age, caregiving status, military service, previous college experience, etc.) and the various paths and barriers they face. Our research and evaluation efforts seek to identify the strategies that have the greatest positive impact on adults and students of color.

Increasing completion

Americans have long touted education as the great equalizer, but the data clearly show that Black and brown students are consistently left behind. Due to systemic and inequitable practices and policies, Black, Hispanic, and Native American students are less likely than their white peers to enroll in college or complete a credential. Programs seeking to serve adult learners of color better must resolve issues discouraging adults and allow these inequities to persist. Our data, research, and evaluation efforts focus on today’s students and seek effective remedies by exploring the trends, programs, and policies that can increase completion.