Better academic performance. Increased student retention and graduation rates. Improved sense of campus community. Online exclusive: Edtech providers on student/faculty ties These are just three benefits that closer ties among faculty and students can yield. Here are nine places to foster such connections. Service-learning sites Tactic: Engage with the community through formal and informal service-learning projects. […]
Beyond food pantries, higher education needs more substantial changes in the structure of food service to accommodate new student populations—many more low-income students, part-time “post-traditional” students attending in new patterns, and traditional students facing increasing financial challenges with rising costs of attendance.
Institutional resiliency is a daunting challenge for smaller, tuition-dependent, change-resistant institutions. Indeed, the most vulnerable of these fragile colleges and universities may soon face extinction. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics tells us that there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of degree-granting postsecondary institutions in America over the past decade. […]
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: […]
When we first learned of Hope International University's (HIU) strategic partnership with Nebraska Christian College (NCC), we were skeptical to say the least. Indeed, we can well imagine that some folks within and beyond the HIU and NCC communities thought that the proposed transaction was misguided. After all, HIU's main campus is situated in an […]
Launching new athletic programs—a go-to strategy for driving enrollment and boosting campus enthusiasm—usually comes with some major costs. But some institutions have added a rapidly growing, co-ed sport that doesn't require an expensive new athletic complex or a big travel budget. Competitive, online video-gaming, also known as e-sports, checks several inclusive and low-cost boxes, and […]
In what ways do you see colleges falling short in utilizing data to make better admissions recruitment and acceptance decisions? What kinds of data should they be using more of or better? “Many colleges are not viewing their admissions decisions through the lens of retention and degree completion. Institutions should understand the profile of their […]
When it comes to underserved student populations, one group is often left out of the conversation: American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) has launched a new consortium to address the needs of these populations, powered by a three-year, $990,000 Lumina Foundation grant. Angela Rochat, coordinator for evaluation policy and […]
It's fair to say that university leaders across the country are thinking about how they can promote diversity in their student bodies, faculties and staff. We believe a fully inclusive work environment helps us deliver on our mission, and research has shown teams that are more diverse and inclusive make better decisions and perform better. […]
Clouds that emerged throughout 2017 are hanging over the heads of campus administrators, posing potentially huge impacts to higher ed as a whole. Just a few of the significant national developments include: the proposed $9 billion in cuts to the U.S. Department of Education for fiscal year 2018—which if implemented will affect Stafford Loan financing, […]
