Trellis Strategies

Unlock Key Insights for Your Institution: Join the 2025 State Opportunity Index
2025-02-11 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Webinar, 301 Sundance Pkwy, Round Rock, Texas, 78681, United States
Join Strada Education Foundation and Trellis Strategies to explore the 2025 State Opportunity Index, a powerful tool designed to strengthen the connection between postsecondary education and pathways to opportunity. Learn how free and confidential participation can help public institutions gain customized insights into practices that connect students to success: education-to-career coaching and work-based learning. Discover the experiences and opinions of students on your campus so you can take action to improve student success and workforce readiness!

Dr. Dave ClaytonSenior Vice President, Research, Strada Education Foundation

Dr. Nichole Torpey-SaboeVice President, Research, Strada Education Foundation

Allyson CornettDirector, Research, Trellis Strategies

Abby WillemsResearch Strategist, Trellis Strategies

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Trellis Strategies is a strategic research and consulting firm dedicated to advancing postsecondary education and strengthening the workforce by delivering unparalleled insights into the student experience, from application through graduation.

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Some College, No Credential and Non-Matriculating Students Survey
2025-02-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Webinar, 301 Sundance Pkwy, Round Rock, Texas, 78681, United States
Help re-engage students who left before earning a degree with two free Trellis Strategies surveys—one for students who stopped out in the past 3–5 years and another for admitted students who never enrolled—providing insights to identify barriers, support re-enrollment, and update student contact information.

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Trellis Strategies is a strategic research and consulting firm dedicated to advancing postsecondary education and strengthening the workforce by delivering unparalleled insights into the student experience, from application through graduation.

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Trellis Strategies 360 Discussion Series: Introduction to Institutional Transformation - Rethinking Learners
2025-03-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Webinar, 301 Sundance Pkwy, Round Rock, Texas, 78681, United States
The Trellis Strategies 360 Discussion Series returns for its fourth season, exploring Institutional Transformation to Empower Modern Learners.

Episode one sets the stage for reimagining institutional approaches to meet the needs of today’s learners. During this discussion, we will examine who modern learners are, the diverse challenges they face, and how institutions can effectively adapt. Our focus will be on asset-driven institutional transformation, ensuring benefits for both learners and institutions alike.

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Trellis Strategies is a strategic research and consulting firm dedicated to advancing postsecondary education and strengthening the workforce by delivering unparalleled insights into the student experience, from application through graduation.

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Trellis Strategies 360 Discussion Series - Institutional Transformation: Rethinking Course Scheduling
2025-04-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Webinar, 301 Sundance Pkwy, Round Rock, Texas, 78681, United States
The course schedule is a time-honored tradition within many higher education institutions but represents a foundational element of the student experience. Episode two will explore how course scheduling impacts everything from student basic needs to progress to degree.

Interested in More?

Thanks for Attending Our Virtual Webinar

Trellis Strategies is a strategic research and consulting firm dedicated to advancing postsecondary education and strengthening the workforce by delivering unparalleled insights into the student experience, from application through graduation.

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Student Financial Wellness Insights: Understanding Campus Implications
2025-04-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Webinar, 301 Sundance Pkwy, Round Rock, Texas, 78681, United States
Join us for the official unveiling of the Fall 2024 Student Financial Wellness Survey. Gain crucial insights from fresh data highlighting key findings, emerging trends, and strategies that institutions can use immediately to enhance student financial health and support completion.

This event is ideal for educators, administrators, and campus leaders dedicated to breaking down financial barriers and driving student success.

Agenda:

1:00 – 2:00 PM CT Survey Findings Presentation

2:00 – 3:00 PM CT Panel Discussion: Practical Strategies for Campus Leaders

Panelists:

Dr. George Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, Our Lady of the Lake University

Dr. Angela Johnson, Vice President of Enrollment Management, Cuyahoga Community College

Phil Schuman, Executive Director of Financial Wellness and Education, Indiana University

Interested in More?

Thanks for Attending Our Virtual Webinar

Trellis Strategies is a strategic research and consulting firm dedicated to advancing postsecondary education and strengthening the workforce by delivering unparalleled insights into the student experience, from application through graduation.

Get In Touch

Trellis Strategies 360 Discussion Series - Institutional Transformation: Rethinking Affordability
2025-05-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Webinar, 301 Sundance Pkwy, Round Rock, Texas, 78681, United States
Affordability is a key driver of institutional transformation. As the costs (both direct and indirect) of postsecondary education continue to increase, there is a rightful consideration of the return on investment of a degree or credential. Episode three will look at ways institutional transformation can assist in creating a more fiscally sustainable campus while providing enhanced affordability for students.

Panelists:

Justin Draeger, Senior Vice President, Affordability, Strada Education Foundation

Kristin D. Hultquist, CEO and Founding Partner, HCM Strategists

Jessica Todtman, MPA, Interim President & Chief Operating Officer, National Association of Higher Education Systems

Interested in More?

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Trellis Strategies is a strategic research and consulting firm dedicated to advancing postsecondary education and strengthening the workforce by delivering unparalleled insights into the student experience, from application through graduation.

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Economic Impact - Making the Case for Postsecondary Education
2025-06-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Webinar, 301 Sundance Pkwy, Round Rock, Texas, 78681, United States
How do you show the real-world return on investment of a college degree? Join Trellis Strategies to learn how institutions are using economic impact studies to tell their story—quantifying job creation, student earnings, and community value to inform policy, shape public opinion, and build institutional momentum.

Panelists:

Elizabeth Puthoff, President, ICUT

Justin Yancy, President, Texas Business Leadership Council

Dr. Charlie McCormick, President, Schreiner University

Interested in More?

Thanks for Attending Our Virtual Webinar

Trellis Strategies is a strategic research and consulting firm dedicated to advancing postsecondary education and strengthening the workforce by delivering unparalleled insights into the student experience, from application through graduation.

Get In Touch

Trellis Strategies 360 Discussion Series - Institutional Transformation: Rethinking Outcomes and Accountability
2025-06-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Webinar, 301 Sundance Pkwy, Round Rock, Texas, 78681, United States
There is increased pressure, and no shortage of frameworks, to look at outcomes for postsecondary degrees and credentials. Institutions increasingly are feeling pressure to adapt to the needs of an evolving workforce within degree programs. Episode four will focus on the role of outcomes and accountability as institutions undertake transformation to meet the needs of today’s learners.

Panelists:

Dr. Walter Kimbrough, Interim President, Talladega College

Eric Bing, Chancellor & Chief Executive Officer, The College of Health Care Professions

Interested in More?

Thanks for Attending Our Virtual Webinar

Trellis Strategies is a strategic research and consulting firm dedicated to advancing postsecondary education and strengthening the workforce by delivering unparalleled insights into the student experience, from application through graduation.

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Maximizing Yield - Turning Applicants into Enrolled Students
2025-06-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Webinar, 301 Sundance Pkwy, Round Rock, Texas, 78681, United States
With fewer college-bound students and declining yield rates, institutions can no longer rely on traditional admissions tactics alone. Join Trellis Strategies to examine how a cross-campus approach—focused on guiding each applicant through the enrollment process—can strengthen yield and build a more resilient incoming class.

Interested in More?

Thanks for Attending Our Virtual Webinar

Trellis Strategies is a strategic research and consulting firm dedicated to advancing postsecondary education and strengthening the workforce by delivering unparalleled insights into the student experience, from application through graduation.

Get In Touch

Basic Needs Summit
2025-07-16 08:00 - 17:00 | The University of Utah – S.J. Quinney College of Law, 383 South S University Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
Join Trellis Strategies at the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance Summit for data driven conversations about student basic needs including food insecurity, transportation, and financial security.

All Summit attendees, in-person and virtual, can attend the Basic Needs Summit for free!

*Simply select the option to register for the Basic Needs Summit as part of your Summit registration.

Basic Needs Summit Tentative Agenda

10:00 a.m. Welcome & 2024 Student Financial Wellness Survey Results Overview

Bryan Ashton, Trellis Strategies

Allyson Cornett, Trellis Strategies

Carla Fletcher, Trellis Strategies

10:45 a.m. Basic Needs Supports 101

Carrie Welton, Trellis Strategies

11:30 a.m. Campus Implications – Utah Focus

Bryan Ashton, Trellis Strategies

12:30 p.m. Lunch & Networking

1:30 p.m. Future of Postsecondary Education & Affordability

Beth Akers, AEI

Debra Chromy, Trellis

Courtney McBeth, WGU

2:30 p.m. Food Security & Housing, Transportation – BREAKOUT SESSION

Food Security & Housing

Transportation: Anthony Schuette, Trellis Strategies

Interested in More?

Thanks for Attending Our Virtual Webinar

Trellis Strategies is a strategic research and consulting firm dedicated to advancing postsecondary education and strengthening the workforce by delivering unparalleled insights into the student experience, from application through graduation.

Get In Touch

Mental Health and Wellbeing: Supporting the Whole Student
2025-08-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Webinar, 301 Sundance Pkwy, Round Rock, Texas, 78681, United States
Trellis Strategies and the C4SW, the Coalition for Student Wellbeing, are collaborating on this webinar to explore the current state of student mental health and what institutions can do to support holistic student wellbeing. We will discuss key findings from Trellis Strategies’ 2024 Student Financial Wellness Survey, followed by a panel discussion highlighting challenges and effective practices from both student and institutional perspectives.

Interested in More?

Thanks for Attending Our Virtual Webinar

Trellis Strategies is a strategic research and consulting firm dedicated to advancing postsecondary education and strengthening the workforce by delivering unparalleled insights into the student experience, from application through graduation.

Get In Touch

One in Five: Addressing the Needs of Caregiving Students in Postsecondary Education
2025-09-08 14:00 - 15:00
Caregivers form a key constituency of current, potential, and returning college students, with around one in five undergraduates having legal dependents. Students who take care of children and other family members face greater barriers to education than their peers without caregiving responsibilities, impacting their ability to access and complete a postsecondary credential, with intergenerational implications. Increasing degree attainment among U.S. adults requires alleviating the barriers caregivers face—financial insecurity, time poverty, and decreased sense of belonging—improving their ability to complete a credential and to do so sooner with less debt.

In this webinar, Carrie R. Welton (Policy Strategist) and May Helena Plumb (Research Associate) explore recent data on caregiving students from the Fall 2024 Student Financial Wellness Survey and highlight strategies for institutions, states, and the federal government to invest in the modern learner.

Modern Learner Summit
2025-09-15 11:00 - 2025-09-16 18:00
Trellis Strategies and the Trellis Foundation invite you to join us in Austin, TX for the inaugural Modern Learner Summit, taking place September 15–16, 2025.

Sept.15: 11:00 am-6:00 pm (CT)

Sept.16: 8:00 am-4:00 pm (CT)

This two-day convening will bring together higher education leaders, nonprofit partners, and policy stakeholders to explore a central question: How are today’s students navigating college and how can institutions adapt to support them?

The Modern Learner is not one type of student. They may be returning adults, first-generation students, caregivers, part-time enrollees, or individuals balancing work, family, and school. What they share is a need for systems that are flexible, relevant, and designed to meet them where they are.

Agenda

September 15th, 2025: Defining the Modern Learner

11:00 AM Check-In

12:00 PM Welcome & Defining the Modern Learner

12:30-1:20 PM General Session: Defining Non-Linear Pathways and Credential Attainment

1:30 – 2:15 PM General Session: Learner-Centered Course Design

2:15 – 3:15 PM Snack & Fireside Chat: Reflections on Leadership for Modern Learners

Dr. Harrison Keller, President, University of North Texas

3:15 – 4:00 PM General Session: Quality Outcomes on Non-Degree Credentials

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Reception: Punch Bowl Social

September 16th, 2025: Scaling Best Practices

8:00 – Breakfast

8:30 – 9:20 AM General Session: Rural Learners

9:30 – 10:20 AM General Session: Policy Implications for Texas Higher Education

10:30 – 11:20 AM Deep Dive Sessions

Basic Needs Track: Transportation Solutions

Non-Linear Pathway Track: Creating a Campus Culture of Support

Quality Outcomes Track: Micro Educational Experiences

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM Lunch

12:30 – 1:20 PM Deep Dive Sessions

Basic Needs Track: Public Benefit Support

Non-Linear Pathway Track: Workforce Solutions & Higher Education Partnership

Quality Outcomes Track: Competency Based Education and Skill Verification

1:30 – 2: 15 PM General Session: Update from Washington, D.C.

Dr. Tom Harnisch, Vice President for Government Relations, SHEEO

2:30 – 3:15 PM General Session: Deep Dive on Flexible Delivery Pathways

Dr. Mark Milliron, President, National University

3:15 – 4:00 PM Closing Session

Dr. Wynn Rosser, Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Event Location

The Westin Austin at The Domain 11301 Domain Dr, Austin, TX 78758, USA 512-832-4197

Contact Andrea.Gonzalez@trellisstrategies.org with event questions.

Trellis Strategies 360 Discussion Series: Innovative Leadership for the Modern Learner – A Discussion with Chancellor Flores
2025-09-23 12:00 - 13:00
The needs of modern learners are vastly different than those of previous students and higher education leaders are rising to the challenge. Join us for the Fall Trellis Strategies 360 Discussion Series, where Debra Chromy, Ed.D., President & CEO of Trellis, hosts one-on-one conversations with innovative higher education leaders who are reimagining their institutions for the modern learner.

From fresh approaches to student success, to bold ideas about industry alignment, these candid conversations will give you a front-row seat to how colleges and universities are evolving in real time. Join us this September for Chancellor Mike Flores, of the Alamo Colleges District, who is working to advance the moonshot of ending poverty through education and training.

Panelist:

Dr. Mike Flores, Chancellor, Alamo Colleges District

Transportation Security
2025-10-15 13:00 - 14:00
Consistent transportation to and from campus is crucial to student success. In this session, we will discuss the various ways that transportation presents a barrier to higher education access. Through reviewing results from the Fall 2024 Student Financial Wellness Survey and examining methods to gather quantitative data on commuting patterns, we will identify frameworks for analyzing transportation access and we will close by discussing institutional strategies and techniques that can help students more effectively get to where they need to be reliably and consistently.

Introduction to the Modern Learner
2025-10-27 13:00 - 14:00
Today’s students are navigating higher education with new expectations and evolving needs. In this introductory webinar, Trellis Strategies explores the profile of the Modern Learner. We will explore who they are, what they value, and how institutions can better align their strategies to support success. Join us for a data-informed conversation that sets the foundation for reimagining non-linear pathways for educational attainment.

The Parenting Students Project at ACC: Successes and Future Directions
2025-11-05 13:00 - 14:00
The Parenting Students Project (2021-2025) combined direct financial assistance with a strong community of care to support over 100 parenting students at Austin Community College District (ACC). Through a mixed-methods evaluation, Trellis Strategies found that participation in the PSP was associated with a 20-percentage point increase in term-to-term retention and that participants experienced substantial positive impacts on their transportation security and mental health. In this webinar, leaders from United Way for Greater Austin and ACC will share reflections on the successes and challenges of the project and directions for future work to support parents as they pursue postsecondary education.

Understanding the Some College, No Credential Learner
2025-11-12 13:00 - 14:00
Millions of learners have started college but left without a credential across the country. This is often due to financial, personal, or institutional barriers. This session dives into the characteristics and challenges of the Some College, No Credential (SCNC) population, offering insights into how higher education leaders can re-engage these students and based on Trellis Strategies new research with SCNC learners.

Basic Needs 101 with Trellis Strategies
2025-11-19 13:00 - 14:00
Whether you’re just beginning to explore basic needs support or looking to strengthen existing initiatives, this discussion will equip you with the knowledge and tools to make a meaningful impact.

Our Trellis Strategies team will explore:

Non-tuition barriers that threaten students’ ability to persist and complete

Resources and supports available beyond traditional higher education structures that can improve postsecondary access and completion

Examples of effective strategies from around the country

Who Should Attend: College and university administrators, student affairs professionals, financial aid officers, higher education and basic needs advocates, and anyone involved in student support services.

Overview of a Some College, No Credential Toolkit
2025-12-02 14:00 - 15:00
Building on our understanding of the SCNC learner through our recent national Some College, No Credential survey, this webinar introduces a practical toolkit designed to help institutions reconnect with and serve this critical population. From outreach strategies to institutional policy considerations, Trellis Strategies shares actionable resources and examples that empower leaders to create pathways back to higher education for students who paused their journey.

Trellis 360 Discussion Series: Innovative Leadership for the Modern Learner – Dr. Robert Vela
2025-12-16 12:00 - 13:00
The needs of modern learners are vastly different than those of previous students and higher education leaders are rising to the challenge. Join us for the Fall Trellis 360 Series, where Debra Chromy, Ed.D., President & CEO of Trellis, hosts one-on-one conversations with innovative higher education leaders who are reimagining their institutions for the modern learner.

From fresh approaches to student success, to bold ideas about industry alignment, these candid conversations will give you a front-row seat to how colleges and universities are evolving in real time.

Tune in for our discussion with Dr. Robert Vela, President of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, who uses strategic planning and collaborative leadership to support today’s students.

From “Work First” to Workforce First Strategies
2026-01-13 14:00 - 15:00
Federal and state governments invest billions of dollars each year in higher education and workforce development programs to expand access to education and training. Yet research shows personal financial circumstances and the need to work significantly affect people’s ability to enroll and stay enrolled. When individuals cannot afford tuition and cover basic expenses, they miss out on gaining the skills and credentials employers require. As a result, those public investments fail to translate into higher earnings, increased tax revenue, stronger economic stability, or reduced use of public benefits.

Public benefit programs are intended to help people meet basic needs while working toward economic independence. However, many of these programs restrict education, creating barriers that deter, delay, or deny access to pathways proven to lead to higher wages, greater tax contributions, and lower unemployment and poverty rates.

Join us to learn more about this research and explore how some states treat public benefits as tools for success rather than obstacles by aligning benefit policies to support education, completion, and workforce participation.

Speakers:

Jennifer Stiddard, Senior Director in Policy & Advocacy, Jobs For the Future (JFF)

Caroline Treschitta, Senior Government Affairs Manager, National Skills Coalition

Carrie R. Welton, Senior Policy Strategist, Trellis Strategies

Trellis 360 Discussion Series: Innovative Leadership for the Modern Learner – Dr. Michael Baston
2026-01-20 12:00 - 13:00
The needs of modern learners are vastly different than those of previous students and higher education leaders are rising to the challenge. Join us for the current Trellis 360 Series, where Debra Chromy, Ed.D., President & CEO of Trellis, hosts one-on-one conversations with innovative higher education leaders who are reimagining their institutions for the modern learner.

From fresh approaches to student success, to bold ideas about industry alignment, these candid conversations will give you a front-row seat to how colleges and universities are evolving in real time.

Tune in for our discussion with Dr. Michael Baston, President of Cuyahoga Community College, and hear how Tri-C is successfully reengaging adult learners, strengthening career pathways, and advancing institutional transformation.

Mental Health in College: What Research Tells Us About Supporting Students
2026-04-08 13:00 - 14:00
Join editor Dr. Alexis Redding and contributing authors of the forthcoming book Mental Health in College: What Research Tells Us About Supporting Students for an engaging conversation on the evolving landscape of student mental health in higher education.

This webinar will highlight key findings from the book and explore actionable strategies for institutions seeking to better support student well-being. Panelists will share research-based insights, practical examples, and reflections on how colleges can create more responsive environments for mental health.

Speakers:

Dr. Alexis Redding, Editor

Bryan Ashton, Managing Director, Trellis Strategies

Allyson Cornett, Director of Research, Trellis Strategies
