The Chicago Cubs finally learned this lesson: A baseball team without a good farm system won’t make it to the top. Higher education needs to focus on employee development and start rebuilding their own farm systems. Why do so many colleges look externally for new talent instead of developing their employees? Due to an external-candidate […]
There’s no doubt that higher ed institutions have access to tons of student data these days, but what separates actionable insights from analytics overload? Colleges and universities that crack the code can embark upon data-based decision-making as it relates to student success initiatives. Others, struggling, get lost in the numbers. “Most institutions are data rich […]
What is the biggest roadblock to effective use of data analytics tools as they relate to student success? “Many view data as a punitive measure to highlight performance flaws when, in reality, analytics tools help identify trends and answer questions about the student experience. Institutions must first address the campus culture surrounding data and demonstrate […]
Q: Campus testing centers: A. vary in size and resources from institution to institution B. administer national standardized assessments, professional certification exams, and makeup and placement tests C. can serve as an alternative revenue stream D. all of the above Almost every college and university has a version of a testing center, whether it's a […]
The Department of Education in 2015 announced the move to an earlier FAFSA filing date using prior-prior year guidelines. Since then, colleges and universities that receive federal Title IV financial aid have worked tirelessly to assess the potential implications to enrollment and to make the adjustments needed in the first year of implementation. In a […]
On April 16, 2007, a senior at Virginia Tech shot and killed 32 people and wounded 17 others in two separate attacks, two hours apart, in a residence hall and then an academic building. It had been 41 years since a University of Texas at Austin student killed 17 people and wounded 31 from atop […]
Ten years ago, few universities employed chief information security officers. Now these administrators—known as CISOs—lead teams dedicated to shielding information, systems and research from internet thieves, and to keeping up with federal regulations. CISOs must ensure their schools are in compliance with a wide assortment of federal standards that pertain to the business of higher […]
The guiding principle for deploying new technology at the University of San Diego is simple: It has to improve the student experience. With that in mind, administrators there have developed an app store featuring apps that go beyond typical functions such as viewing course schedules. Two transaction-based features housed within its umbrella mySDMobile app are […]
Campus discussions about spend analytics might sound like a late night infomercial: Implement the technology and save millions! The programs slice and dice data, calculate spending, break down costs, eliminate fees and lead to better agreements! But wait, there’s more! Spend analytics also allows schools to use benchmarking tools to compare pricing to peer institutions! […]