In mid-September, Achieving the Dream (ATD) held its eighth annual Data & Analytics
Summit. The event brought together hundreds of higher education professionals and
national experts who are using data to transform their communities.
According to the organization's website, ATD is a partner and champion of hard-working leaders at more than 300 community colleges across the country.
CCC President Dr. Valmadge T. Towner attended the event along with a delegation from the institution. Towner had the opportunity to sit as a featured panelist, joining a passionate group of education professionals for an in-depth discussion entitled, "Mobility: Beyond Dollars and Cents."
"I felt a sense of gratitude and accomplishment for the college. My selection to serve as a panelist is based on the verified increases in student success that we have experienced," said Towner. "Not only are we increasing enrollment, but we are also increasing success levels of many student groups."
Dr. Carrie Billy, President and CEO of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, and Dr. Adeline Silva, Vice Chancellor for Student Success for the Alamo College District, also facilitated panelist roles.
Towner, who serves as the fifth leader of Coahoma, wanted to bring light to the importance of colleges providing access to opportunities during the session. The subject matter discussed is near and dear to him as he has seen firsthand the positive effects of education.
"I wanted to express that colleges can increase access and success of students if they first all are willing to admit that they need to improve," said Towner. "Secondly, colleges can increase access and success of students if they use data that is available and make all decisions relative to the school pertinent to and tied to data."
Since 2018, Coahoma has worked alongside its ATD coaches to assess how student-focused the institution is. ATD coaches connected the CCC team with resources and peers at ATD Network colleges that could share insights on how to design effective processes to better support increased student outcomes.
Furthermore, the organization provides institutions like CCC 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. All of these resources have had positive effects on CCC throughout its time as a cohort.
Towner shared that Coahoma has benefitted from access to two success coaches and other schools in the ATD network because of the ongoing partnership, which allows institutions to share ideas.
He added that Coahoma's involvement in such events as the Data Summit speaks to the transformative work at the Clarksdale-based institution.
"Our presence is important so that schools who have attributes like us can realize that they have success too. We are small, young, rural, socio-economically challenged, but we are having success," he touted.
ATD's vision is for every college to be a catalyst for equitable, antiracist, and economically vibrant communities. The organization focuses on creating opportunities and removing barriers to give students equal access to learning, credentials, and fulfilling careers — so they can build a successful future and create stronger communities.
Because of this charge and focus, CCC leadership feels that the partnership’s alignment with Coahoma’s vision and mission is on par.
Towner is pleased with the strides of improved student success happening on the CCC
campus. He hopes the measures will support long-term transformative change in the
region. 
"We feel that our work will help current and prospective students to have access to a quality education and do well while in college," said Towner. "In turn, a good number of our students will remain in the area that can help decrease the population flight we are experiencing in the region."
Achieving the Dream is trusted by leading community colleges across the country. ATD helped transform over 300 colleges in 45 states, impacting over 4 million students' lives. Towner shared that in a short time, Coahoma’s association with ATD has reaped dividends and hopes Coahoma will make far-reaching changes to those in which the institution serves.
"We are hopeful that ATD can help us meet the mission and goal of enticing and ensuring that every person in our service area that is 18 years or older will obtain a higher ed degree or training,” said Towner.
“We feel that at some point, a majority of our students will be learners who only take virtual classes and/or are part-time. ATD provides insight on how we can ensure that all of our students are successful. When students are successful, the college is successful."
Towner shared that his team is doubling down on student success actions, focusing on more improved initiatives in the immediate future.