Cowen Institute at Tulane University

At the Cowen Institute, our mission is to equip leaders and practitioners with the skills and resources to increase educational and postsecondary success among New Orleans students. We envision a future where all New Orleans students have the opportunities necessary to thrive.

Donations to the Cowen Institute help sustain our research, initiatives and programs, ensuring we can continue to:

CONCEPTUALIZE DATA & INFORM POLICY - Chronicle and analyze changes in New Orleans' educational landscape, releasing primers, infographics and briefs to facilitate informed dialogue among community members. Our research includes our flagship publication, the State of Public Education in New Orleans, public perception polls and the annual Governance Chart, providing critical insights that shape policy and practice.

BUILD SYSTEM CAPACITY THROUGH NOLA CCAN - We lead citywide efforts to strengthen college and career pathways by supporting counselors, educators, and youth-serving organizations with training, resources, and collaboration, expanding access to postsecondary success for New Orleans students.

ADVANCE SOCIAL INNOVATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH TEACHING AT TULANE - We integrate social entrepreneurship, design thinking, and service-learning into Tulane courses to drive real-world impact. Students contribute over 1,000 hours of service annually while developing innovative solutions to persistent educational challenges and supporting community partners across the city.