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Mar1Written by:Nathan Greeno
3/1/2009 6:15 AM  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?
It is all the more apparent today that the key to weathering the storm is a balanced enrollment portfolio. What is Education Strategy, LLC. doing to firm up enrollments in the two growth sectors of higher education namely: Adult and Online? The answer to this question must be a central strategy.
According to a study conducted by NCES during the 2006-07 academic year, two-thirds (66 percent) of 2-year and 4-year Title IV degree-granting postsecondary institutions reported offering online, hybrid/blended online, or other distance education courses for any level or audience. Together, distance education courses accounted for an estimated 12.2 million enrollments or registrations. The most common factors cited as affecting distance education decisions were meeting student demand for flexible schedules, providing access to college for students who would otherwise would not have access, making more courses available, and bottom line, seeking to increase student enrollment.
Post-secondary institutions have much to gain by offering more online programs, not just courses. Not only are they providing a convenience to their students, but also an increase in enrollment will bring more revenue into these schools. The down side however, is that creating these courses is no simple matter. The convenience offered to students translates into significant work for instructors. Most institutions do not offer the technical support that is required. Large delays in launching distance learning programs occur in turning new ideas and innovations into new enrollments. Resistance within institutions to strategic change for online adult programs stratify into three layers:
• Self-inflicted roadblocks involving lack of flexibility for the effective delivery of online education
• Lack of knowledge or willingness to deliver non-traditional financial aid processing as well as adult accelerated learning
• Reluctance to address a sluggish academic and administrative climate head on with real data driven decision making
Reducing barriers to educational access should always be something higher education institutions strive for. Distance education programs are one way of achieving that. Colleges and universities need to recognize that online and blended programs will be a big component of their course offerings in the near future. With the economic and unemployment climate in turmoil, institutions need to keep a guarded watch on their portfolio and take advantage of innovations available to increase enrollments.
A partnership with Education Strategy is a very unique relationship. It is characterized by the word "partnership" not "client." Our success is tied to making your new programs work in today's market from concept to design to implementation to enrollments. Investigate us today and Education Strategy, LLC. can join nearly 100 other institutions on a significant growth trajectory even during a troubled market.
-- Nathan Greeno
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