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Welcome to the Great Admissions Redesign laboratory. Together, we're co-creating the future of college admissions – a future that is student-centered, joyful, and holistically integrated across sectors and siloes.
In 2023, Lumina Foundation challenged states, systems, and institutions to imagine a simpler, friendlier college admissions process. Since then, a movement has taken hold: Today, more than 20 states are experimenting with new approaches to admissions, impacting an estimated 2.7 million students nationwide. From within the movement, Lumina Foundation remains committed to sharing and documenting lessons learned across contexts and geographies. The "laboratory" is an open-invite, collaborative space to share our best ideas and biggest questions. Welcome!
The primary purpose of the mailing list is to share information about upcoming events and opportunities to engage with the admissions redesign community. If you would like to request an introduction to a specific network member or team, please reach out to Jordan Mareno at Education Strategy Group!
Meet the 2026 Great Admissions Redesign Cohort
Meet the 2026 Great Admissions Redesign Cohort
In 2026, Lumina invested more than $3.5M in ten unique admissions redesign projects. Each of the cohort's five planning grantees are experimenting with creative opportunities to integrate a more holistic understanding of the student journey into admissions redesign projects. Each implementation grantee is scaling a proven pilot program to improve its reach and impact. Read more about each grantee below!
Implementation Grantees
Implementation Grantees
Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GA)—Integrate financial aid, career exploration, and transcript movement into Georgia MATCH
University of North Carolina System—Expand NC College Connect and pursue integration of need-based financial aid estimates for students who receive offers through the direct admissions program
University of Hawaii System—Implement a unified admissions portal with financial aid information, and expand advising
Washington Student Achievement Council—Leverage a unified platform for guaranteed admissions, state financial aid, and advising
Idaho State University, College of Eastern Idaho, College of Southern Idaho—Implement co-enrollment through automatic admission and integrated data system
Planning Grantees
Planning Grantees
Minnesota Office of Higher Education—Plan for the redesign of MN’s state financial aid program aligned with Direct Admissions Minnesota
Miami Dade College, Indian River State College, St. Petersburg College—Design a scalable multi-term enrollment model
Technical College System of Georgia—Pilot a streamlined credit for prior learning process tied to admissions
Universities of Wisconsin—Clarify and improve college-ready math pathways to expand access to Direct Admit Wisconsin
Tennessee Board of Regents—Plan for a streamlined admissions, financial aid, and matriculation process for dual enrollment students
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