Community colleges have seen a drop in faculty employment applications at the same time those institutions take longer to make new hires, according to a 2017 survey released in October by software provider PowerSchool. Two-year institutions also face increased turnover among baby boom-generation administrators who are retiring in large numbers, says Sara Winchester, vice president […]
It turns out that a key factor in students finishing college is their experience during the very start of college, from the moment they send their deposit through freshman orientation. Institutions find that switching the focus of orientation to fostering campus connections boosts student engagement, and research links student connectedness to retention. So at many […]
While a college’s general education curriculum touches every student, officials may go many years without touching those requirements in any significant way. In fact, some institutions are still using general ed programs developed between 20 and 30 years ago, before the digital revolution transformed the lives of students. “There’s a sense of urgency in addressing some […]
Increasing public pressure and a growing union presence have driven higher ed institutions to improve the experience for part-time faculty and staff. Adjuncts, for example, are now more likely to get pay raises, have job stability and be welcome in faculty circles. On the health insurance front, however, the situation is not so rosy. Here […]
Every election season, hopeful candidates pitch various plans to make college affordable for everyone. And in the past few years, dozens of states, localities and schools have proposed free college policies sometimes known as “promise programs.” However, these initiatives often set strict requirements that exclude many students who need the most assistance. Jennifer Mishory, a […]
The Clery Act requires colleges and universities participating in Title IV programs to take many security-related action steps to ensure compliance. In addition to numerous statements of policy, the Annual Security Report must include statistics for certain crimes reported to have occurred on the institution’s “Clery geography” during the past three calendar years. The Department […]
Community college leaders who have launched campaigns to rebrand career and technical education say they face a generational challenge. Today, parents and even many high school guidance counselors cling to a perception that these vocational programs appeal only to less ambitious students or lead to low-paying careers. "For an entire generation, we had the idea […]
Public institutions are constantly attempting to re-define their core missions and at the same time, regain the public’s trust. ¯As such, there are a number of forces that have made the Higher Education landscape increasingly competitive. Exacerbating these forces are shifts in the high school population demographics and a continued under investment in public higher […]
This is the second in a trilogy of commentaries on rising Early College Stars. Our focus this month highlights successful Early College best practice case studies that optimize Early College aspiration, preparedness, and achievement. School Superintendents tell us that Early College preparedness promotes high school academic success and self-confidence. Not surprisingly, the intellectual curiosity and […]
Since 2000, the net price of college has increased while real family income has stagnated. As a result, most students and their families have fewer resources but face higher out-of-pocket costs to attend college, with some making difficult trade-offs between paying for college or meeting their basic needs. Recent estimates indicate that approximately half of […]
