Approaching a new academic year can be quite daunting.  I'm in touch with many higher education executives who are barely treading water as they attempt to count the numbers of incoming students, deal with returning faculty and get the wheels of the administration rolling again from registration to financial aid.

Read More »

Within the last 30 days both Newberry College of South Carolina and Mississippi Valley State University have launched their first new cohorts of 14-15 students each.  This is an exciting time and proof in product that a partnership with Education Strategy leads to enrollment growth. 

In both cases, three months or less following our first day on campus led to new student orientations and the beginning of a new focus on adult students.  For each institution, this is the beginning of a balanced enrollment portfolio targeting a new market segment.  This translates into longevity and sustainability.  Newberry's second cohort is on target for mid August and MVSU's second cohort will begin at the end of this month.

These are exciting times and we salute the efforts of both institutions. Congratulations!

Nathan

Friday is decision day for fall enrollments at most colleges and universities.  It is also a day that produces significant stress for academic administrators across the country.There is relief.  President Obama has some significant initiatives that will affect financial aid eligibility and enrollments very quickly.  Combining that knowledge with the 2008 Sloan-C findings and the specific situation found at many institutions one finds the advantages of triangulation.  While navigating the storm of economic downturn, triangulation will provide you with three key indicators to not only tell you where you are today, but where you are heading and how fast you are attaining your goals.The First Indicator: The Funding SourceMost private higher education is highly aid dependent.  As the government places a higher priority on funding higher education, your clients have a greater ability to pay for your services.According to the Associated Press last Friday, April 24th, President Obama again touted his plan...

Read More »

The fear for many presidents of enrollment-driven colleges can be stated in three simple words: "Will they return?"

Earlier last month during a conversation with a college president, I discussed the topic of Fall 2009 enrollments. He indicated to me that for this 2008-2009 academic year they would be fine. But Fall enrollment numbers are in question. What will the summer kitchen table discussions between parents and traditional college students yield in the current economic situation?

Read More »

I’ve had some great conversations with presidents of late at schools from many differing sectors.  There is one theme that rises to the top every time.  “What will our new enrollments be for Fall of 2009 and will our current traditional students be able to afford to return?”  Higher Education is on an emergency cash-watch in every sector.

The nation’s economic crisis is bringing colleges higher borrowing costs, smaller endowments, tighter budgets, and fears over the availability of loans and aid for their students.

Read More »

Is your college ready for 2009?

The new economic realities faced by institutions of higher education indicate a need for a more sophisticated approach to revenue management and institutional forecasting. Education Strategy can be your partner to navigate today’s economic uncertainty and assist in developing a balanced financial and enrollment portfolio.

1. Target your limited resources to the largest population set
* Adult learners represent 51% of learners in higher education as of 2010

Read More »

Is your college or university recession proof?  The answer to that question is much like that of an investment manager’s balanced portfolio question.  One of the best ways to ride out the changing waves of enrollment projections due to economic hardship is to be sure to target the online adult population.  Let me share with you some recent research.

Read More »