Moving from high school to college is one of the biggest transitions anyone ever makes. It’s a time of huge opportunity, but it also comes with a brand-new set of rules and systems to learn. At The ND Alliance, our goal is to make sure every student has the clearest path possible to success.

To do that, we need to understand the "landscape" of college today for ND students - what’s working, where the gaps are, and how we can all work together to make the journey smoother. That is why we are so excited to introduce our evaluation partners: CrescendoEd.

We chose to partner with CrescendoEd because they are experts at listening and strive to make education accessible to all. Led by Dr. Annie Davidson, their team is dedicated to the idea that different ways of thinking are a natural and valuable part of any campus. They understand the fact that many of us have areas where we absolutely shine, and other areas where a little extra support or a different approach can make all the difference. 

We are working with CrescendoEd to:

• Support All Students: We are seeking input from a wide range of voices to ensure that all students feel seen and supported.
• Identify What Works & What Doesn’t: We want to find the success stories, the "catalysts" (such as self-advocacy and strong faculty support), and the challenges so we can help more students access the resources they need.
• Collaboration: This research will help provide the data we need to build more inclusive environments for everyone - from individual students to colleges & universities.

When you participate, you aren’t just a "participant" - you are a co-creator of a more inclusive future for ND students in higher education. We are all working together to build a system where every student has the tools they need to thrive.

When you see an email from Annie or Jess at CrescendoEd, know that it’s a safe space to be honest. You aren't a data point; you’re the reason we’re doing this.