Dr. Whetstone likes the collaborative nature of fee-for-service partnerships. She has identified three best practices for universities to follow when working with a new partner:

Welcome outside feedback
Dr. Whetstone encourages you to listen when your education services partner offers advice. Their perspective may help you see things anew — a key ingredient for innovation.
Establish your internal team when the project begins
Include faculty members and administrators from each department that will “touch” the new or updated online program. It’s also necessary to define processes and procedures for collaborating on the work.
Talk with your partner regularly
Smooth projects start with an open dialog. Asking timely questions will help you understand your partner’s role. Plus, sharing details about your mission will help your partner contribute to it.

Dr. Cook agrees that these practices make partnerships more impactful. “It’s called a partnership for a reason. You will have new resources to help you, so making sure your team is ready to go will help you stay on schedule and on budget,” he said.

Get the right support to grow on your terms

Higher ed is much different today than in early 2020. Back then, some universities saw online education only as an emergency-response tool. But now, many learners have adapted to online learning — and they want more chances to learn online, according to Inside Higher Ed.

Instant Insights /

How A Shift To Online Learning Set Up These Universities for Long-Term Success

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