#  The Strategic Data Project (SDP) Launches Data Community of Practice and Fellowship Program for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) 

 





December 18, 2024

 

 

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### *SDP will launch a new data community of practice and fellowship program for MSIs to advance data use to improve student outcomes across four topic areas.* 

**December 11th, 2024-** The Strategic Data Project (SDP), an initiative of the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, is proud to announce a new data community of practice and fellowship program to help Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) advance their use of data. With an emphasis on equity and representation, this program addresses the unique challenges faced by MSIs in scaling up their data competencies, thereby supporting large populations of historically underrepresented students.

In collaboration with three Intermediaries for Scale (the United Negro College Fund, Complete College America, and Growing Inland Achievement), SDP will select up to 25 MSIs who are [using or intend to use the Postsecondary Data Partnership](https://sdp.cepr.harvard.edu/news/strategic-data-project-releases-extended-diagnostic-tool-institutions-participating) to nominate a fellow for the new data community of practice. Over the course of this new cohort, SDP will support fellows in building their institutions’ capacity for executing strategic data analysis, understanding research methods, and making data-driven decisions. This training and support will enable key leaders to learn from one another about successes and advancements happening in their institutions, as well as to problem-solve around shared challenges.

Each fellow will focus on one of four topic areas: data governance and systems; pathways analytics for student success; data communication and literacy; and student voice. Fellows will receive in-person and recurring virtual trainings to advance their analytic capacity, address urgent analytic needs, share lessons learned, and collaborate on a public-facing deliverable. SDP will support institutions selected into the Data Community of Practice in understanding their data landscape in advance of their first workshop.

“Minority Serving Institutions have a wealth of data and talent," said Miriam Greenberg, Senior Director of the Strategic Data Project. "Our new MSI Data Community of Practice seeks to provide a collaborative space for MSI data leaders whose institutions have a vision for advancing data to deepen their expertise and provide models for the sector.”

With generous support from the Gates Foundation, SDP will begin selection for the data community of practice and fellowship program in early 2025 with outreach to MSIs within the partner IFS networks. The [MSI Data Community of Practice](/sdp-minority-serving-institution-msi-data-community-practice-and-fellowship "The SDP Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Data Community of Practice and Fellowship") fellows will develop actionable white papers and toolkits that will serve as valuable resources for other institutions aiming to improve their data utilization for student success, work that will expand upon SDP’s previous impact in the [postsecondary sector](https://sdp.cepr.harvard.edu/postsecondary-impact).

**About the Strategic Data Project**   
Harvard's Strategic Data Project (SDP) works with education agencies to find and train data leaders to uncover trends, measure solutions, and effectively communicate evidence to stakeholders. SDP’s network of system leaders, fellows, and faculty come together to share how to best use data to make a difference in the lives of students. SDP Fellows are driving data-informed change in over 215 school systems and organizations. Learn more at sdp.harvard.edu.

**About the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University**   
The Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, based at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, seeks to transform education through quality research and evidence. CEPR and its partners believe all students will learn and thrive when education leaders make decisions using facts and findings, rather than untested assumptions. Learn more at cepr.harvard.edu.

### **For questions, contact Juda Smack, SDP Higher Education Program Manager, at** [**juda\_smack@gse.harvard.edu**](mailto:juda_smack@gse.harvard.edu)**.** 



 

 

 



 

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