Research & Advocacy
OUR MISSION IS TO CONTINUALLY LEARN FROM OUR DATA, EDUCATE THE WORLD ON OUR FINDINGS, & ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF STRIVING, FINANCIALLY VULNERABLE STUDENTS IN HIGH-DEMAND STEM FIELDS.
Our Commitment to Robust Data Practices
At Last Mile, a robust data practice has always been part of our history. With nearly five years of comprehensive funding data on Last Mile students, we have collected information that allows us to assess applications effectively and understand more about who our students are and what their needs entail.
WE TRACK LAST MILE'S OUTCOMES DAILY, ALWAYS LOOKING FOR TRENDS, PATTERNS, & UNMET NEEDS.
RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY
Our research philosophy is grounded in the use of data to gain a deeper understanding of the needs, challenges, and outcomes of striving, financially vulnerable college students. Our focus is on students who are within four semesters of graduation – those who have proven they can succeed in their degrees – from two- and four-year institutions and who do not have access to a financial safety net.
ANALYZING & EVALUATING DATA
We analyze our data to identify what contributes to the success of financially vulnerable students and evaluate the effectiveness of the financial awards provided by Last Mile. This analysis helps us develop evidence-based recommendations to improve retention and graduation rates, not only for low-income students but for all students.
Specific Objectives and Goals
Identify effective financial support strategies financially vulnerable students
Develop and disseminate policies and practices for unlocking the potential of Last Mile students that can be adopted by higher education institutions, the tech ecosystem, and tech employers.
Advocate for systems-level change to support access, degree completion and career attainment among financially vulnerable students in high-demand STEM.
Types of PartnershipS
RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS:
Joint studies and data sharing with academic institutions, research organizations, and ecosystem partners.
ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS:
Working with advocacy groups to promote policy changes.
FUNDING AND RESOURCES:
Partnering with foundations and corporations to secure funding and resources for students.
Continuous Learning & Improvement
We foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Our data collection methods are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure accuracy and relevance with data privacy and security at the center of these decisions. We use both quantitative and qualitative methods to conduct research and understand our population better, always striving to find understanding and relationships between Last Mile funding and student outcomes.
Metrics for Success
GRADUATION RATES:
Improvement in retention rates for low-income students.
POLICY CHANGES:
Number of policy changes influenced by our advocacy efforts.
EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES:
What we know about Last Mile alumni’s employment.
STAY CONNECTED!
Use this new research webpage to track our ongoing projects and findings. Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on new research findings and projects.
CONTACT US: If you are interested in partnering with us or learning more about our work, please contact our Director of Research and Evaluation, Dr. Sarah A. Outland, at sarah.outland@lastmile-ed.org.