UDM joins Detroit Regional Chamber in new data collaborative to track student progress, outcomes

University of Detroit Mercy has partnered with the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Detroit Drives Degrees Data Collaborative, an initiative designed to provide comprehensive insight into student progress and achievements in the Detroit area. 

The Collaborative uses the Postsecondary Data Partnership (PDP), a nationwide effort from the National Student Clearinghouse, to support this initiative by improving access to better data on student progress and outcomes. 

“This initiative enables Detroit Drives Degrees and participating colleges to analyze data effectively, highlighting areas that require attention and improvement,” said Meghan Schmidbauer, senior director of Detroit Drives Degrees. “By identifying trends and gaps in student performance, enrollment and success, we can allocate resources more strategically, ensuring efforts are directed at initiatives that will have the most significant impact.” 

The Detroit area’s rapidly evolving economy requires strengthening talent pipelines. Detroit Drives Degrees seeks to increase the proportion of people with college degrees and high-skilled credentials in the region. 

The group’s primary goal is to increase the postsecondary attainment rate to 60% by 2030 and cut the racial equity gap in half. Currently only 53% of adults within the region have attained this level of education.  

UDM is one of 11 higher education institutions in Michigan participating in this partnership with the Detroit Regional Chamber. 

The Chamber produces an annual State of Education and Talent report, which provides context centered around data indicators that illustrate how the region’s educational institutions are preparing students for the jobs of the future through education. While data is available from multiple sources, it is not possible to collectively measure the work of the region’s colleges. 

By participating in the data collaborative, UDM has signaled its dedication to student success and its commitment to the Regional Talent Compact’s goals.  

As partners in this work, UDM will submit data to the National Student Clearinghouse. This will allow for regional analysis and help Detroit Drives Degrees measure and monitor the impact of the Regional Talent Compact’s implemented strategies and policies on removing barriers to post-high school education and student success.