Basic Needs Data Academy

The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) is pleased to host the second in-person convening for state teams participating in the Basic Needs Data Academy, a three-year initiative developed in partnership with the ECMC Foundation. The Basic Needs Data Academy Convening will be held Sept. 15-16, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky. It will support the seven states in advancing their goals and action plans associated with the academy’s curriculum. The convening will feature sessions led by state team members and content experts on identifying and aligning data, integrating survey and system information, adjusting to changing federal and state policy landscapes, using data to enhance storytelling, and creating data-informed narratives for partner engagement. The convening will have dedicated team times for states to discuss session learnings and further refine their academy goals and action steps as they progress into year two.