The mission of the Cowen Institute at Tulane University is to advance public education and college and career success for the New Orleans community. The Cowen Institute was originally formed in 2007 to monitor, chronicle, and analyze the dramatic changes occurring in New Orleans’ public education system after Hurricane Katrina. The institute is named after Scott Cowen, President Emeritus of Tulane University, who served as a leader in New Orleans’ recovery and in transforming its education system. Over the past 15 years, our work has expanded beyond research and policy. Today, the Cowen Institute fulfills its mission through four strategic pillars: contextualizing data and providing thought leadership, leading high-impact direct programs, building practitioners' capacity, and developing innovative initiatives.