WELCOME TO THE NETWORK!
Achieving the Dream’s Kickoff Institute is designed to support institutions in building capacity for whole-community transformation through an orientation to ATD's Network. Emphasis is placed on the foundational first year, which includes coaching, cohort relationship-building, and the role of data in action planning.
Register today for the Kickoff Institute to be held in June 25–27, 2025, at Hilton Charlotte University Place, 8629 J.M. Keynes Drive in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Achieving the Dream’s Kickoff Institute is an immersive experience that welcomes new colleges into the Network and prepares them to launch their ATD experience on their campuses. Colleges bring teams of at least four key people central to their student success efforts to meet with their coaches, attend sessions to learn about ATD and student success, and network with peer cohort colleges. The Kickoff Institute prepares college teams to begin or intensify their transformation journey as part of Achieving the Dream’s Network. Attendees will begin planning for the integration and alignment of their student success work into a single cohesive effort with their ATD coaches. Teams will return to campus with a roadmap for moving forward.
The Kickoff Institute includes 2.5 days of in-person learning.
Schedule-at-a-Glance
Wednesday, June 25: Opening session, collaborative peer learning, welcome reception
Thursday, June 26: In-person sessions and collaborative peer learning
Friday, June 27: In-person sessions and collaborative peer learning
Sessions at the Kickoff Institute at the will center on four primary learning outcomes. As a result of their participation at Kickoff, institutions will
- Deepen their understanding of ATD’s approach to access, student success, equity, and developing economically vibrant communities
- Gain a working understanding of the initial three-year ATD experience and begin to form working plans for the first year (launch of ATD work on campus, data collection and analysis, forming an action plan, etc.) with key target dates pinpointed
- Develop a mutual understanding of team member roles, including the president, chancellor and/or superintendent, chief academic and student affairs officers, Core and Data team leaders, and other team members (core, data, communication, equity, etc.)
- Initiate their data analysis work by examining relevant metrics to begin identifying institutional gaps for student success and equity
Registration fees
2025 Cohort Registration
Colleges attending Kickoff will receive four registrations; these are included in each college’s annual participation fee. A maximum of six additional representatives from the college, for a total of 10 participants, may attend the Kickoff. There is a registration fee of $650 USD per additional attendee.
If your college would like to have more than 10 people attend the Kickoff, you can submit a request via email to network@achievingthedream.org no later than Friday, May 30, 2025. Place "2025 Kickoff Registration Request" in the subject line. With your request, please include the name(s) and title(s) of the additional people and the reason you would like these individuals to attend. Upon receipt of all requests, we will confirm availability. Due to space limitations, ATD may not be able to accommodate all requests.
Colleges are responsible for the travel and lodging costs for all attendees. Register for Kickoff here.
Pre-Work Assignments
Your institution’s pre-work information will be shared with your coaches for their review and preparation for discussions in the Kickoff Institute. Your College must complete the following documents before joining the Institute. This information will help your coaches prepare for your college's arrival at the Institute.
- Please click here to download the data template, based on industry standard metrics (Excel file)
- Please click here to download the student success inventory, designed to help you catalog the student success initiatives (Word document)
Please complete and return both assignments by Friday, May 30, 2025, by uploading them to this Digital Dropbox link.
Kickoff Preview Experience Registration
ATD also offers the Kickoff Preview Experience to colleges not currently part of a cohort. This experience provides college teams with the opportunity to participate in sessions on key issues around student success, work with an ATD coach, and gain familiarity with the benefits of engaging with a cohort of colleges in ATD's Network.
Included in the Preview Experience participation fee are four registrations to attend Kickoff. Preview colleges can bring an additional four people; the registration fee is $800 per person. Please contact network@achievingthedream.org if you have any questions.
What does the registration for Kickoff Preview Experience cover?
Registration for the Kickoff Preview Experience will include all meetings. Also included are a Welcome Reception, breakfast and lunch each day, facilitated team time with one ATD coach during the institute, and access to online Kickoff resources for one year following Kickoff.
Who should attend Kickoff?
Colleges are strongly encouraged to bring individuals in the following roles who compose the Core team:
- College President*
- Chief Academic Officer*
- Chief Student Affairs Officer*
- Director of Institutional Research*
- Deans
- Faculty
- Director of Teaching Excellence (or equivalent position)
- Instructional Faculty (math/english, general education)
- Student Affairs Staff
- Additional IR/IE Staff
- Chief Information Officer (or equivalent position)
- Public Information Officer (or equivalent position)
*highly encouraged to attend and to be part of the Core team
The 2024 Cohort and AEO Cohort
Consent to Use Photographic Images
Registration and attendance at, or participation in, ATD meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to the use and distribution of the registrant or attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such events and activities by ATD and other third parties, including, but not limited to, the venue, the host city, and the host partner.
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communications from Achieving the Dream regarding news, announcements, upcoming events, and more. (You may opt out at any time.)
Cancellations
| Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges across the country. Drawing on our expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national peer network, we provide institutions with integrated, tailored support for every aspect of their work — from foundational capacities such as leadership, data, and equity to intentional strategies for supporting students holistically, building K–12 partnerships, and more. We call this Whole College Transformation. Our vision is for every college to be a catalyst for equitable, antiracist, and economically vibrant communities. We know that with the right partner and the right approach, colleges can drive access, completion rates, and employment outcomes — so that all students can access life-changing learning that propels them into community-changing careers. |
Hilton Charlotte University Place in Charlotte, North Carolina.
For more information, see the list of FAQs here.
When
Event Starts:June 24, 2025
Event Ends:
June 27, 2025
Where
Hilton Charlotte University Place
Charlotte, North Carolina