We are building a movement with a dedicated community of thought leaders and visionaries

Meet our Expert Advisory Committee

The Expert Advisory Committee has informed this work from its earliest research phase to provide real-world, applicable context to the policy and institutional recommendations that inform the LEVEL UP and Get REAL movement.

Each member of the Expert Advisory Committee is a nationally recognized higher ed expert with a deep understanding of and support for the focus on declining Black student enrollment and has a demonstrated track record in translating research to policy, systems change and institutional practice improvements for Black learners. They continue to be key advisors and advocates for this work.

  • Dr. Keith Curry

    CHAIR

  • Dr. Dominique Baker

  • Dr. Edward Bush

  • Dr. Charlene Dukes

  • Cheryl Hyman

  • Dr. Royel Johnson

  • Eddie Koen

  • Dr. Christopher Nellum

  • Dr. Kara Turner

  • Dr. Eboni Zamani-Gallaher

Read the bios of our expert advisors

We are grateful to all of the early work by experts from across the field that has led us here

Since 2021, HCM Strategists has partnered with many individuals and organizations to drive and fund this work to grow the LEVEL UP movement. We recognize the work and accomplishments of the following individuals, organizations and philanthropic foundations that have supported LEVEL UP from its inception to present day. 

Drs. Lara Couturier and Toya Barnes-Teamer, former Principals with HCM, for the inspiration they had for this work and their early contributions. Cristen Moore, former Director with HCM for her leadership from this movement's earliest stages and her continued support and thought leadership. EducationCounsel for its early partnership and especially to Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis, Bethany Little and Vasilisa "Lisa" Smith. Lumina Foundation for its early funding support and partnership, especially Frank Swanzy Essien, Jr.  Achieving the Dream for its continued partnership, especially for early contributions from Francesca Carpenter.  ECMC Foundation for continued funding support. And to Equity Avengers for propelling LEVEL UP into a national movement for Black learner excellence and success.

We also acknowledge and thank those individuals who served on our National Panel and signed on to our early Call to Action to shine a light on the persistent inequities that exists for Black learners and advocate for action at the federal, state and institutional levels.

LEVEL UP is a national movement and partnership between Achieving the Dream (ATD), Equity Avengers, and HCM Strategists with funding support from ECMC Foundation.

Our work elevates the glaring and disproportional declines in Black college enrollment and seeks to provide a set of policy recommendations at the state and institutional levels that are grounded in data and centered around learner perspectives.

Image of a logo that reads, "HCM Strategists".

HCM Strategists, founded in 2008, is an impact-driven consulting firm that believes in the transformative power of postsecondary education and career-competitive learning to improve social and economic mobility.

We work with clients and partners to influence the national narrative, evidence base, policy environment and conditions for institutional transformation, particularly for learners and communities that have been marginalized or historically underserved.

The HCM LEVEL UP team is Darryl Hill, Kelley Ditzel, Brenae Smith, and Ashsali Hamlet.

Image of a logo that reads, "Achieving the Dream".

Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of hard working leaders at more than 300 community colleges across the country.

Drawing on our expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national peer network, we build customized growth plans to address the unique challenges each institution faces. We provide institutional leaders, faculty, and staff with actionable solutions grounded in years of experience and the knowledge of what it’s like to be in their shoes.

The ATD LEVEL UP team is led by Dr. Karen Stout, Monica Parrish Trent and Francesca Carpenter.

Image of a logo that reads, "EA".

Equity Avengers is an advocacy organization with a mission to engage, educate, and empower higher education organizations and individuals to eliminate student opportunity and outcome gaps by cultivating partnerships and resources necessary to embed racial equity, critical humility, and learning across our systems.

Their vision is to build a higher education community focused on eliminating racial equity gaps by developing and supporting leaders who act and drive large-scale change, resulting in equitable student outcomes.

The Equity Avengers are Dr. Keith Curry, Dr. Pamela Luster and Dr. Tammeil Glickerson.