In a recent webinar hosted by Upswing, CEO and Co-Founder, Melvin Hines shared valuable insights on how Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions can use data to provide proactive, personalized support to their students. The discussion highlighted the changing needs of today’s HBCU students, strategies for understanding and addressing these needs, and success stories from HBCUs that have used Upswing’s SMS engagement tool, Ana, to improve student retention and graduation rates.

This blog will explore some key insights from the session.

Understanding the Unique Challenges of HBCU Students

HBCU students face a distinct set of challenges, including financial strain, balancing work and academics, and caring for dependents. As highlighted by the Hunt Institute, these challenges are particularly prevalent among students over the age of 25, first-generation college students, and student parents—many of whom attend HBCUs. According to the Hunt Institute, nearly half of Black and Brown students who considered dropping out cited emotional stress and mental health concerns. Melvin highlighted that these students are at the heart of Upswing’s mission, and understanding their specific needs is the first step to building a robust support system.

The Role of Ana in Student Engagement and Support

Ana, Upswing’s SMS engagement tool, plays a crucial role in helping students identify their needs and connect with resources. Ana reaches out to students with proactive, empathetic messaging and facilitates responses to ensure timely support. For example, Ana can alert campus administrators if a student is struggling with food insecurity, housing issues, or even suicidal thoughts. By facilitating these interactions, Ana allows institutions to gain insight into their students’ needs and act proactively rather than reactively, providing tailored support that can make all the difference in a student’s journey.

Data-Driven Insights for Improved Retention and Graduation Rates

The data collected through Ana provides HBCUs with valuable insights, enabling them to benchmark their students’ needs against those at similar institutions. By identifying patterns—such as peak periods for academic or emotional support needs—Upswing’s partner institutions can allocate resources more effectively. This data-driven approach has shown measurable success: HBCUs leveraging Ana have seen improved retention rates and increased student satisfaction by acting on real-time insights and addressing issues before they escalate.

Real-Life Success Stories from HBCU Partners

Throughout the webinar, Melvin shared inspiring success stories from HBCU partners that have used Ana to improve student outcomes. North Carolina A&T State University, for example, reported an increase in retention rates and faster graduation times for students engaged with Upswing’s resources. By providing 24/7 access to tutoring, advising, and mental health support, Ana has become an essential tool in helping students overcome personal and academic challenges, allowing them to stay on track and feel supported throughout their college experience. Such stories exemplify the effectiveness of using technology to meet students where they are, whether they need academic support or mental health resources.

A New Opportunity: Upswing and Social Finance Partnership

In an impactful collaboration for 2025, Upswing and Social Finance are teaming up to further expand support for HBCUs. To celebrate this partnership, Upswing is offering a 20% discount on all new services purchased by the end of this year, with a 2025 start date. This exclusive offer is an opportunity for HBCUs to invest in enhanced support for their students while benefiting from significant savings.

Institutions that want to provide their students with holistic support now have an exceptional chance to explore the potential of Ana and other Upswing services. By combining real-time data with proactive engagement, HBCUs can create a positive, impactful experience that meets students where they are.

As Melvin Hines emphasized, “No student should ever feel alone in their journey. We’re here to make sure that every student has access to the support they need to succeed.”

Leveraging Ana’s Insights to Benefit Your Institution

With Upswing’s SMS engagement tool, Ana, your institution can proactively identify student needs and provide the timely support that keeps students on track. Ana’s powerful combination of AI-driven insights and personalized human interaction allows students to voice their challenges comfortably, whether they need help with academic resources, mental health support, or navigating financial concerns. By engaging with students in real time, Ana is making a measurable difference at HBCUs across the country—helping institutions improve retention rates, boost graduation outcomes, and create a more supportive academic environment.

Ready to see how Ana can transform student success at your institution? Contact us today to schedule a demo and discover the impact Ana can make for your students.