Join Upswing for our annual virtual conference. This year’s theme is Student-Driven Retention: Driving Equity & Operational Resilience. The conference is free for any higher ed administrators or professionals to attend.
Join Upswing for our annual virtual conference. This year’s theme is Student-Driven Retention: Driving Equity & Operational Resilience. The conference is free for any higher ed administrators or professionals to attend.
Join Upswing CEO Melvin Hines as he sets the stage for our annual Equity in Education virtual conference. He will share the “why” behind the conference and how Upswing aims to inspire action, foster connection, and spotlight real solutions that move the needle for underserved students.
Higher education stands at a pivotal crossroads. Shrinking budgets, the rollback of programs designed to support learners and students often facing structural barriers to access and success, and the impending enrollment cliff are converging to challenge the very mission of many institutions, particularly those that are smaller and under-resourced.
In this timely and compelling keynote, Dr. Adrian K. Haugabrook draws upon decades of national and global leadership, student-centered innovation, and institutional transformation to explore what it takes to build resilient, equity-driven campuses that don’t just survive disruption, but lead through it.
Through the lens of current policy shifts, demographic trends, and lived student experiences, Dr. Haugabrook makes the case that eliminating programs for learners impacted by systemic inequities is not simply short-sighted – it’s an existential threat. He will offer ambitious frameworks and solutions grounded in innovation, inclusion, and intentionality to help institutions future-proof their missions and meaningfully support all students in an era of unpredictability.
How are colleges putting equity into action—not just in mission statements, but in measurable student outcomes? In this session, Lu Duong of UNCF will open with a presentation on the evolving role of equity-focused initiatives across higher education, with a spotlight on programs designed to close gaps for historically underserved students.
Following the presentation, a panel of administrators from a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), and a Community College will share the strategies and programs they’ve implemented to support student success on their campuses. From culturally responsive academic support to holistic mental health and retention efforts, this session will highlight scalable, student-centered solutions that work.
Join us to dialogue about bridging research, policy, and practice to build inclusive Hispanic-Serving (HSI) campus communities where all students can thrive. This session will explore actionable approaches to student engagement, including a tailored approach for a multi-campus institution focused on building community through representation. Attendees will learn how to transform engagement into a tool for equity in action, ultimately strengthening student persistence and success.
Time: 12:30 PM–12:45 PM ET
This presentation will provide attendees with a brief overview of the crisis of access to mental health services in post-secondary education settings, especially for first-generation students. A high-level review of the student-mental health landscape will be provided along with key strategies for delivering mental health support at scale. Clinically moderated peer support (Togetherall) will be introduced as an affordable service that can be used to provide safe, accessible, and clinically-rigorous support to populations in need.
This interactive workshop is designed for coaches, tutors, and advisors who work with students from all races, cultures, and backgrounds. Together, we’ll explore the impact of labels on students and reflect on the roles we play in either reinforcing or helping remove them. Through honest conversation and practical strategies, participants will learn how to better support and empower students by challenging assumptions and prioritizing student investment.
Wellness and well-being initiatives are increasingly receiving attention from higher education administrators, educators, and practitioners. While much of the literature focuses on students, there has been less emphasis on the impact of faculty wellness and well-being, particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and its correlation to student success. This presentation examines how institutional practices, policies (or the lack thereof), and current student needs influence faculty burnout. By implementing mental health best practices, we explore strategies to improve academics mental health outcomes to enhance student success.
Time: 3:00 PM–3:05 PM ET
The MASTER Program is a comprehensive academic support initiative designed to enhance student success by developing executive function skills essential for college achievement. Unlike traditional tutoring, the program pairs students with a dedicated MASTER Coach who serves as a mentor, guiding them through weekly meetings that focus on fostering motivation, organization, time management, and self-efficacy. Through structured interactions, students identify and overcome academic challenges, improve study habits, and cultivate resilience. The program emphasizes accountability, metacognitive reflection, and personalized strategies to ensure continuous academic growth and improved performance across all courses.
3:50 PM–4:00 PM ET: Melvin Hines, Co-Founder & CEO, Upswing
