Higher Ed Learning Circles

We’re currently recruiting for the 2025-2026 cohort, express your interest in joining here!

Meet online with colleagues and NCWIT staff throughout the academic year in small groups (one person per institution) to learn about strategic planning and how to enact data-informed promising practices in your undergraduate computing program. 

Through asynchronous and synchronous sessions, you will learn from and network with peers, consider what data to collect, and be shown a model for how to think holistically about your program, from recruitment to retention. In addition, you’ll be provided with proprietary tools to help bring colleagues on board and to track your department’s progress year after year. Concurrently, participants will work with their committed local institutional teams to create tailored plans to broaden participation in computing (BPC) and ensure success for all students!

All four-year, non-profit higher ed institutions are encouraged to apply. Past participants included a wide variety of institutional types, including minority serving institutions, liberal arts colleges, regional public universities, and research institutions. We’re also developing resources and Learning Circles for community colleges – if you’re interested in learning more about the community college opportunities, click here. 

At no cost, Learning Circle participants receive: 

• Training and support on how to systematically assess your undergraduate computing program across six dimensions – from recruitment to retention; 
• Guidance to develop and implement a  research-based strategic plan;  
• Data visualizations to identify trends and patterns in program entry (applications, acceptances, and matriculations) and student outcomes (enrollment and degree attainment). 

Download an Overview of the Learning Circles: Learn more about the Learning Circles by downloading a handout to share with staff, faculty, and administrators at your institution.