Welcome to our FAQ page! Below are answers to common questions about how the TMCF-DSU Joint Center for HBCU Non-Traditional Completion can help HBCUs better serve adult learners. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us directly.
The TMCF-DSU Joint Center is a collaborative initiative that empowers historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to re-enroll and support adult learners who have paused their education. We provide strategic guidance, resources and support to help HBCUs build sustainable programs that enable these students to return to school and complete their degrees.
The TMCF-DSU Joint Center helps HBCUs serve adult learners by offering a comprehensive approach combining purchasing external capacity for immediate impact, working with each school to build internal processes and policies for long-term sustainability, and sharing best practices across our network. We also facilitate online course sharing through our partnership with Acadeum, allowing institutions to offer a wider range of courses without needing to build new programs from scratch.
Partnering with the TMCF-DSU Joint Center can offer numerous benefits for HBCUs, including increased enrollment and graduation rates, enhanced capacity to serve adult learners and a sustainable financial model. By supporting institutions in re-engaging stopped-out students, we help them generate revenue and improve their overall educational outcomes.
We provide HBCUs with the tools and resources needed to identify and reach out to stopped-out students, which may include targeted marketing and advising services. Additionally, we offer online course sharing options through Acadeum, making it easier for these students to return to school and complete their degrees on a flexible schedule. Finally, we help each institution build the capacity to identify, recruit and serve their stopped out students.
The TMCF-DSU Joint Center offers three levels of partnership:
Collaborative membership: Access to a community of practice and shared best practices for supporting adult learners. This includes curated guidance for each participating institution.
Becoming a partner is easy. Start by contacting us to discuss your institution’s needs, and then complete our institutional leadership form to help us tailor our support to your goals. We will work with you to determine the most effective level of engagement and provide the necessary resources to help your institution serve adult learners effectively.
We offer a wide range of resources, including external vendor services for marketing and advising, access to shared online courses through Acadeum, and best practices for re-enrollment and student support. The TMCF-DSU Joint Center also provides step-by-step guidance to ensure that each participating HBCU will have the internal structure to support their returning students in an efficient and effective manner. These resources are designed to help HBCUs quickly scale their efforts and create lasting, sustainable programs for adult learners.
The TMCF-DSU Joint Center’s approach is designed to be financially sustainable. Initially, we may be able to offer start-up funding to cover the costs of external services, with the expectation that HBCUs will generate sufficient tuition and state allocations revenue from re-enrolled students to eventually cover these costs themselves. This model ensures that programs can continue to thrive long after our initial support has ended.
The TMCF-DSU Joint Center has already achieved significant success. For example, as of spring 2024, Chicago State University re-enrolled over 300 students and generated $2.1 million in tuition revenue, while Medgar Evers College re-enrolled over 200 students, leading to nearly $2 million in revenue. These stories highlight how our support helps HBCUs serve adult learners and achieve measurable success.
Whether you’re an HBCU administrator, a potential funding partner, or simply passionate about supporting adult learners, there are many ways to get involved. Visit our support page to learn more about partnership opportunities, donating to our cause, or volunteering your expertise.
If you have more questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at ([email protected]. We’re here to help and are eager to assist you in any way we can.
We hope this FAQ has been helpful and answered your questions. Thank you for your interest in the TMCF-DSU Joint Center for HBCU Non-Traditional Completion. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to assist you.
Take the first step in transforming your institution’s capacity to serve adult learners. By partnering with the TMCF-DSU Joint Center, you’re not just improving your institution’s infrastructure—you’re creating opportunities for thousands of students who need a second chance. Together, we can build a sustainable model that empowers your school to re-engage stopped-out students and guide them toward successful degree completion. Don’t wait—partner with us today and lead the way in higher education innovation.
