Standardized tests, once thought to be the best way to compare students from diverse backgrounds, are criticized as being biased and inconclusive. A small but growing number of colleges have made such testing optional for applicants. Does a test-optional policy result in a more diverse student body or improve attainment and retention rates? Measuring Success: […]
Providers were asked: How well are colleges using data to measure faculty performance, and what related areas need the most improvements? "Colleges will typically show the faculty how their scores compare to others at the school, usually those in the same department. But they rarely ask the instructors how they plan to improve any low […]
When it comes to risk management, a key fear is being blindsided by exposure we didn't even know we had. At Meredith College, we have addressed many risks through the establishment of an administrative management council, composed of the direct reports of the vice presidents. Meeting at least twice per semester, this group of about […]
Teletherapy has been around for more than two decades and can be delivered through videoconferencing, phone or online messaging. Alternate terms for teletherapy include telebehavioral health, telepsychiatry, e-behavioral health, telemental health, e-care and telecare. Multiple peer-reviewed studies, including several meta-analyses, show that teletherapy is as effective as in-person therapy for certain conditions. Link to main […]
Today's college students face stress everywhere they turn, from friend and roommate tensions to financial strains and fear of becoming a victim of school violence. Consider these stats: Nationwide, more than 8 in 10 college students report feeling overwhelmed, and the average student waits two weeks for a college counseling center appointment, according to a […]
A handful of university medical centers around the country offer telemedicine services to the broader community. Typically, these services are designed to provide options for people who live in remote areas and tend to have less access to health specialists. Link to main story: TeleHELP in higher ed East Carolina University Telemedicine Center: Started in 1992 […]
Although employee assistance programs are an important benefit, they are also often a lifeline for people with mental health or substance abuse issues. Considering that 1 in 6 U.S. adults lives with a mental illness (44.7 million in 2016), and nearly half of adults have a friend or family member with a drug problem, a […]
After the Virginia Tech tragedy, colleges began to build teams of administrators and faculty to better recognize and support distraught individuals on campus. At Augusta University in Georgia, the Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation (CARE) team, a division of student life, includes: the director of student counseling and psychological services the director of health […]
Why is digital marketing—so easily measurable—not measured in higher education at the level it is in other industries? I introduced the Higher Ed Digital Marketing Analytics Roadmap (HEDMAR), a year-long research project on digital measurement practices in my March 2017 UB column. This project was set to change the status quo in our industry by […]
Search committees and institutions recruiting academic leaders are often met with a major sticking point: the most appealing candidates often don't have much fundraising experience. Yet in today's climate, non-tuition sources of revenue are increasingly important and fundraising provides resources that can truly advance a university's agenda. Leaders across campus—deans, program directors, functional administrators, research […]
