RNL Summit for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
July 21 in Atlanta | Held before the RNL National Conference
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Join us for this one-day summit specifically designed for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), July 21 at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia. During our day together, you’ll hear strategies that address key issues facing HBCUs:
- Marketing and recruitment to reach your enrollment goals.
- Student success strategies to increase completion rates.
- Trends and technology that are impacting HBCUs.
The Summit is complimentary with your registration for the 2025 RNL National Conference
The RNL HBCU Summit will take place before the 2025 RNL National Conference (July 22-24). Registration is complimentary with your registration for the RNL conference, which features more than 120 sessions on campus marketing, student recruitment, student success, financial aid, and more.
Summit Accommodations
The HBCU Summit and all RNLNC sessions will take place at the:
Atlanta Marriott Marquis
265 Peachtree Center Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30303
Special attendee rate: $249
Must be booked by July 15, 2025
HBCU Summit and RNLNC Registration
The 2025 HBCU Summit is free with your registration for the RNL National Conference. Simply select the HBCU Summit when registering. Conference fees are:
| Registrations | By July 7 | After July 7 |
| 1 to 3 people | $895 | $995 |
| 3 or more | $795 | $995 |
Registration fees are per person. Save when six or more people from your institution attend.
Can’t attend RNLNC but still want to attend the HBCU Summit? Click here to register for the Summit only.
HBCU Summit Agenda
All agenda session topics, dates, and times are subject to change. All times are Central Time (CT).
Monday, July 21
10:00 – 10:15 AM
Registration and Check-In
10:15 – 10:30 AM
Welcome and Introductions
10:30 – 11:45 AM
The State of the Union: The Current and Future State of Higher Education and HBCUs
Colleges and universities are challenged with identifying strategies to support sustained recruitment and timely degree attainment. This comes when many campuses are amid initiatives designed to garner resources to support student success efforts. This leadership panel explores opportunities to achieve and maintain organizational success in today’s educational and political landscape while proactively addressing barriers to fulfilling institutional missions.
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Networking Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Navigating the New Normal: Leveraging Strategic Planning to Protect and Sustain Institutional Revenue
Sustainable revenue is an objective for every institution of higher education. However, many campuses employ aging processes, systems, and approaches while expecting improved outcomes. This session explores innovative strategies and insights for securing and maintaining institutional revenue while navigating market complexities.
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Meeting Gen Z Students Where They Are: A Multi-Channel Engagement Strategy for HBCUs That Actually Works
This session explores effective strategies for engaging Gen Z students in the HBCU recruitment and enrollment process through a multichannel approach. Drawing on recent data, we’ll examine how Black students communicate with colleges, their application behaviors, family involvement, and the resources they rely on for college planning and financial aid. We’ll also dive into the social media platforms and content that resonate most with this audience. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of Black students’ unique preferences and needs, and practical insights to tailor outreach and support efforts that truly meet them where they are.
3:15 – 4:15 PM
Leveraging Expectations: Unpacking the HBCU Student Experience
The power of an HBCU education is well documented, yet recent RNL research findings show that while students continue to demonstrate interest in enrolling at HBCUs, their satisfaction levels around their student experience are significantly lower in comparison to peers attending other types of institutions. This interactive session will engage attendees in discussion about key research findings and student success practices that position campuses to foster the personal and professional preparation of students entering a global workforce at a time when HBCUS are facing unprecedented popularity and increased levels of political scrutiny.
4:15 – 5:15 PM
8 Game-Changing Retention Insights from Your Financial Aid Data to Power Strategic Planning
Your retention data is more than just numbers—it’s a roadmap to more informed, effective strategic planning. In this session, we’ll uncover 8 game-changing insights hidden within your financial aid data that can significantly influence enrollment, student success, and institutional priorities. You’ll learn how to interpret key trends, identify actionable opportunities, and use data to drive intentional decision-making. Whether you’re refining current strategies or shaping new ones, these insights will equip you with the clarity and confidence to lead with purpose.
5:15 – 5:30 PM
Reflections and Wrap Up
5:30 PM
Free Evening to Enjoy Atlanta
Attend the RNL National Conference and
choose from more than 100 sessions
RNLNC takes place immediately after the HBCU Summit from July 22-24. The conference features a wealth of sessions on topics critical to HBCU enrollment, organized across six conference tracks.
Undergraduate Enrollment
Campus marketing, channel optimization, student recruitment, and yield strategies.
Graduate and Online Enrollment
Digital marketing, program optimization and positioning, and recruitment.
Financial Aid
Awarding strategy, family engagement, and awarding communications.
Student Success
Retention planning, student success programs, early-intervention, and satisfaction assessment.
Strategic Planning
Strategic enrollment planning, leadership strategies, and competitive positioning.
AI and Innovations
AI-powered analytics, digital assistants for student engagement, and AI governance.
See the Hour-by-Hour Agenda
See the full schedule for the conference, including session presenters and descriptions.
