A few months after Boston University's successful merger with Wheelock College, the University of Massachusetts drew a greater degree of scrutiny for its acquisition of Mount Ida College. Families—many of whom had hoped for a merger with nearby Lasell College—were understandably shaken by the news of the quick agreement. Yet they were offered various options […]
Community colleges bet on a wide variety of scheduling options to attract and retain students whose lives are already filled by jobs and families. Late-start courses that commence a few weeks after the semester begins are gaining popularity, as institutions discover this accelerated learning option supports both students and faculty. At Roane State Community College […]
Public higher education has faced significant turning points over the last 70 years. The mid-century GI Bill that cemented higher education's place as a public good and a private gain is one. Another is the transfer of research from declining corporate labs to university labs in the 1980s, to carry forward technology, health and quality […]
Most of the 2 million students participating in dual enrollment programs attend classes at their high schools or on higher ed campuses. Colleges in at least 35 states, however, offer students another option—online classes, according to research by the Education Commission of the States. Access is a main aim. Distance learning provides opportunities to students […]
Most students attend college to earn a degree—a respected credential that informs the world and the workplace that they have specific knowledge and skills, and the maturity and intellect to prove it. "Issuing and maintaining credentials is central to American higher education. Nobody can really compete with us on this. That's our crown jewel, in […]
At Cleveland State Community College in Tennessee, all 3,500 credential-seeking students must see an academic adviser before registering for classes each semester. Until this past summer, students used paper sign-in sheets at the Advising Center, then stayed nearby until their name was called. With the recent implementation of AccuCampus from Engineerica, students now swipe their […]
Given the 16 years of continuous military activity following 9/11, it is not surprising that a large number of returning veterans are looking forward to the next step in their lives. As a nation, we should always remember their individual and collective sacrifice and courage. Increasingly, higher education is taking a larger role in providing […]
Cindy Boyer has made it her mission to help reinstated students succeed. A decade ago, she was the sole employee of a retention-focused student success office at Eastern Illinois University when a student who had been dismissed twice applied to return. Because of concern the student might fail once again, Boyer took him under her […]
It has become increasingly difficult for some four-year institutions to meet enrollment goals for first-year students. The good news is that enrolling transfers has advantages. Transfer students generate higher average net tuition revenue than first-year students but don't create large pressures on housing. They also enroll in upper-level courses that typically have capacity. These benefits […]
In 2002, 1.2 million students were earning college credits while still in high school. A decade later, the number of those participating in dual enrollment courses had almost doubled, hitting 2 million, according to the most recent federal data. And as a 2015 ACT policy brief detailed, the programs continue growing. Colleges and universities in […]
