HCM Strategists

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HCM Strategists

We believe in the transformative power of education to improve social and economic mobility. We believe that sound public policy drives progress.

We work to spread good ideas widely and help them to find a foothold. The result is change that improves our communities and enhances quality of life. Achieving policy change takes a combination of high-level government experience, a network of strong relationships, a keen analytical ability, and the skills to find fresh, creative approaches to addressing issues. When you can enlighten all partici

pants by capturing their attention, finding common ground, and building strong alliances, success is within reach. Our strategy works -

We ALIGN by connecting a problem to a policy to practice. We ADVOCATE by capturing attention and strengthening public will to action. We ADVANCE by pursuing change through finding common ground, proposing specific solutions and forging strong alliances. Check out our blog at http://hcmstrategists.com/blog/

09/01/2026

Building on our Balanced Framework for State Higher Education Funding series, HCM Strategists has released four new policy briefs that take a closer look at each of the framework’s essential components: Core Costs, Enrollment, Progression & Outcomes, and Mission Differentiation.

Designed as practical resources for policymakers, each brief explores what its component captures, why it matters to state funding policy, and the key questions policymakers should consider in applying it. Together, the four briefs illustrate how these components work in concert to support a strategic approach to higher education funding.

📖 Read each brief here by clicking the link in our bio.

07/14/2026

Rounding out the Financing Futures series with Episode 8—The Road Ahead: Postsecondary Transformation that Delivers Real Value.

💰 Michelle Asha Cooper from Lumina Foundation details the future of higher education finance and what we should monitor to ensure students are not only completing postsecondary education, but leaving their institutions with credentials that provide employment and economic stability.

This is a must-watch for anyone working in higher education policy, state postsecondary funding, college finance reform, or student outcomes strategy.

Episode 8 concludes Financing Futures, a groundbreaking video series on the evolution of state postsecondary funding, brought to you by HCM Strategists and EdTrust EdTrust . Watch this episode and the entire series by clicking the link in our bio!

07/07/2026

Check out Episode 7 of the Financing Futures series—2023: Setting a New Standard for Student Success and Economic Growth in Texas.

💰 In 2023, Texas passed House Bill 8 which transformed the way the state thought about funding. Instead of incentivizing enrollment, HB 8 allows institutions to be rewarded not just for attendance, but for student outcomes.

This is a must-watch for anyone working in higher education policy, state postsecondary funding, college finance reform, or student outcomes strategy.

Thank you, Ray Martinez from the Texas Association of Community Colleges for narrating this episode!

🎥 Financing Futures is a groundbreaking video series on the evolution of state postsecondary funding, brought to you by HCM Strategists and EdTrust EdTrust . Watch the series by clicking the link in our bio!

07/06/2026

As a part of the Staff Spotlight series, get to know HCM’s Associate Director: Rachel Rivas, Ed.D.

Rachel is a data analyst and researcher who champions equitable access and opportunity for all students. She brings over 15 years of experience working in higher education institutions where she advised executive administrators on data-informed decision-making to support student success and academic excellence.

💡 Learn more about Rachel by clicking the link in our bio, and clicking the “Resources” tab!

07/01/2026

Continuing Phase 2 of the Financing Futures series with Episode 6: 2021: An Adequate and Equitable Funding Formula in Illinois.

💰 Episode 6 demonstrates how organizations and institutions can collaborate to identifying core cost drivers to develop a funding model that fosters mission alignment, provides for programming, and meets diverse student needs.

This is a must-watch for anyone working in higher education policy, state postsecondary funding, college finance reform, or student outcomes strategy.

Thank you, Robin Steans from Advance Illinois , for narrating the episode and highlighting how states can pursue a more holistic and student-centered notion of adequacy in higher education funding.

🎥 Financing Futures is a groundbreaking video series on the evolution of state postsecondary funding, brought to you by HCM Strategists and EdTrust EdTrust . Watch the series by clicking the link in our bio!

06/24/2026

Phase 2 of the Financing Futures series is here — Episode 5!

2020: Flipping the Script on Higher Ed Funding in New Jersey dives into a pivotal shift in state higher education finance: moving away from funding models based purely on student enrollment and toward outcomes-based funding that rewards student success and completion.

🔑 What makes New Jersey’s model stand out? Flexibility. The framework allows institutions to align with statewide higher ed goals while still adapting to their own unique missions, student populations, and equity priorities — proving that outcomes-based funding doesn’t have to mean one-size-fits-all.

This is a must-watch for anyone working in higher education policy, state postsecondary funding, college finance reform, or student outcomes strategy.

Huge thanks to Brian Bridges for spotlighting New Jersey’s progress and offering a model for states navigating higher ed funding reform.

🎥 Financing Futures is a groundbreaking video series on the evolution of state postsecondary funding, brought to you by HCM Strategists and EdTrust EdTrust . Watch the series by clicking the link in our bio!

06/09/2026

Episode 3 of Financing Futures is LIVE! 2015: Investing with Purpose in Oregon demonstrates how funding formulas can be designed with everyone in mind. Narrator Ben Cannon describes the core mechanisms of the SSCM model, showing how rewarding completion in programs that align with critical workforce needs, and removing barriers for those traditionally underserved allows Oregon to serve its state with purpose and pride.

💰 Financing Futures is a groundbreaking video series on the evolution of state postsecondary funding, brought to you by HCM Strategists and EdTrust ( ). Watch the series by clicking the link in our bio!

06/05/2026

We are pleased to announce the release of our latest issue brief, A Balanced Framework Approach to Adequacy and Equity in State Higher Education Finance.

💡Building on our Balanced Framework for state higher education funding—which incorporates four essential components: Core Costs, Enrollment, Progression & Outcomes, and Mission Differentiation—this new brief explores how states can effectively balance two fundamental objectives in higher education finance: adequacy and equity.

Through state examples and practical policy considerations, this publication highlights how adequacy and equity can be integrated throughout a funding formula rather than treated as competing or extraneous priorities.

📕Want to read the brief? Link in bio!

06/02/2026

Check out Episode 2 of Financing Futures NOW! 2012-2015: A New Focus on Affordability in Ohio, continues on last week’s student success track, while also focusing on how colleges are supported through funding formula changes. Laura Rittner, with the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, narrates how the State Share of Instruction model tied dollars to outcomes, and made sure Ohio’s community colleges were supported in helping students succeed and meet workforce needs.

💰 Financing Futures is a groundbreaking video series on the evolution of state postsecondary funding, brought to you by HCM Strategists and EdTrust . Watch the series by clicking the link in our bio!

05/27/2026

Episode 1 of Financing Futures is live! 2008-2010: Refocusing on Student Outcomes in Tennessee, highlights the change from finance policies that incentivized enrollment to policies prioritizing student success. Narrator Russ Deaton, at the Tennessee Board of Regents ( ), details the innovative approach behind the Outcomes-Based Funding model, and how the method affirms the roles of states to align its values with its funding decisions.

💰 Financing Futures is a groundbreaking video series on the evolution of state postsecondary funding, brought to you by HCM Strategists and EdTrust . Watch the series by clicking the link in our bio!

Address

501 Congress Avenue, Ste. 150
Austin, TX
78701

Telephone

+15126179006

Website

http://hcmstrategists.com/

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