New Report Highlights Impact of Coaching for HBCU Students

A groundbreaking report from InsideTrack has revealed the transformative effects of student coaching at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This initiative, which spanned five years, not only improved re-enrollment rates but also helped students persist toward graduation, showcasing the program's effectiveness in enhancing student success.

InsideTrack has a legacy of empowering over 3.6 million students through personalized coaching, and this latest project specifically focused on addressing the unique challenges faced by students at 39 HBCUs. With an impressive re-enrollment rate of 2.5 times the national average along with a fall-to-spring retention rate of 83.8%, the initiative has proven to be fruitful in fostering a supportive educational environment.

Henri A. LaSane, Ed.D., associate vice president for HBCU programs at InsideTrack, emphasized the importance of respecting the rich culture and leadership found within each institution. By strengthening existing relationships rather than overshadowing them, this approach has made it possible for students to reconnect with vital support networks that facilitate their educational journeys.

HBCUs, though representing only 3% of all colleges and universities nationwide, play a significant role in producing nearly 20% of all Black graduates. Recently, these institutions have seen increased recognition and resources, resulting in higher application rates and sometimes record enrollment numbers.

The report, titled "Empowering Student Momentum at HBCUs," tracked outcomes from Fall 2021 to Spring 2026. During this period, InsideTrack's coaches assisted over 43,800 students, including 23,886 who had previously stopped out and 11,815 actively enrolled students. This focus on individuals facing various barriers—ranging from work/family obligations to financial issues—ensured that the initiative addressed real-world challenges.

Among those reached by coaches, 1,343 stopped-out students made the decision to return to their studies, and more than 2,300 successfully graduated. This financial aspect is noteworthy as participating institutions have collectively seen around $26.9 million in recovered tuition revenue.

The program also dedicated significant attention to populations often neglected by traditional retention efforts, such as adult learners, who represented nearly 40% of the coached students, and Black males, approximately one-third of the total. Notably, in a subset of 13 public HBCUs, Black male students who engaged with a coach re-enrolled at a staggering rate of 15.1%, significantly higher than their peers without coaching support.

This impactful initiative was made possible by a coalition of supporters, including Blue Meridian Partners, and the UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building. The coaching was delivered by a dedicated team of seven partnership directors and 28 trained success coaches, most of whom are alumni of HBCUs.

As Jim Runcie, co-founder and CEO of Ed Advancement, pointed out, HBCUs are pivotal for social mobility. Enhanced support through programs like InsideTrack's coaching leads to higher rates of enrollment, persistence, and graduation. In turn, this translates into greater economic opportunities for students and strengthens the institutions themselves.

To ensure the longevity of this support, InsideTrack is establishing ongoing training programs for staff and leaders across 21 HBCUs, designed to build their own coaching capabilities. This training program, aimed for completion in late 2026, signifies a commitment to sustaining the momentum achieved during the initiative.

Julian Thompson, senior director at UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building, remarked on the shift in national discourse surrounding HBCUs. As their contributions to student success gain deserved recognition, the focus must now shift towards equipping these institutions with the resources to meet evolving student needs while honoring their foundational missions.

In conclusion, the report underscores the significant impact that coaching programs can have on HBCU student populations. As institutions build on their internal support structures, the hope is that more students will be empowered to pursue and attain their educational goals, ultimately enriching both their lives and their communities.

For further insights, the full report titled "Empowering Student Momentum at HBCUs" can be accessed through InsideTrack's website.