The Kinder Institute and United Way of Greater Houston help strengthen how local nonprofits collect and use data through the Coffee & Quality program. For this fifth case study, the two organizations partnered with CollegeCommunityCareer (CCC), a Houston nonprofit supporting low-income, first-generation high school students, to examine how student engagement patterns and summer activities influenced college-going and degree completion. The study also yielded general data-practice recommendations for the broader nonprofit community.
Data from high school graduating classes from 2014 to 2026 were analyzed, but the student sample varied slightly by research question.
Key takeaways for nonprofits
- Collect impactful data that support learning, operational improvements and grant writing.
- Standardize and automate data systems to make information more consistent and reliable.
- Use timestamps and similar tools to track progress and identify trends.
Key findings for CCC
- Six CCC engagement patterns were identified, with most students falling into one of three groups: Complete Participation (45%), Early Droppers (30%), and Late Joiners (17%).
- Engagement with CCC summer activities was associated with a higher likelihood of Complete Participation.
- Complete Participation students were more likely to enroll in college (92%) and obtain a four-year degree (31%), indicating that recruiting students early and retaining them through the 12th grade is important for improving college outcomes.
The findings were shared during a joint webinar.
Suggested citation: Potter, D., Arias, T., Levigne, J., Rana, I., Villarreal, M., Davison, J., & Rose, K. (2026). Coffee & Quality Case Study #5: CollegeCommunityCareer. Houston, TX: Houston Population Research Center, Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Rice University. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25611/R8MS-7627
