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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Purchase costs and long-term maintenance make adding real estate assets an expensive proposition for colleges and universities. Moreover, when institutions invest in off-campus properties, officials must also consider their relationships with nearby communities, as well as alumni and donors. In addition, public institutions typically have regulations and state or federal policies to navigate. To ensure […]
Managing change may be part of the job description for any higher ed administrator, but it's seldom easy. And nowhere is this more evident than with the core of any college or university: its academic programs. In fact, the process can be something of a minefield, with faculty feeling threatened and the media poised to […]
As financial aid administrators know, there’s no shortage of free and fee-based programs designed to help students get a handle on personal finance and keep up loan payments when the time comes. Increasingly, colleges are working with their institutional banking partners to develop engaging, accessible and trusted financial literacy content. Banks have access to nationwide […]
In your experience, how are higher ed institutions doing in their efforts to teach students to be responsible about their finances while in school and in future stages of life? Is there a particular area you believe needs to be covered more? “Higher education institutions provide extensive assistance to both prospective and current students relating […]
When University of Maryland University College needed a new management solution for business operations, administrators decided to purchase a system using cloud technology rather than upgrade the school’s current software. “At UMUC, innovation is in our DNA. Executive leadership championed a move to cloud technology because it was a proven innovation,” says Robin Whitfield, associate […]
A business mindset isn't always accompanied by mathematical prowess. Remedial and refresher courses are common in undergraduate programs, and more post-grad business schools are identifying opportunities to prep incoming students for the rigorous coursework to come. This is particularly important as B-schools court students without a traditional business background such as finance or economics. Wavering […]
The days when a trip to campus automatically included a stop at the bookstore are long gone—but these stores are facing the challenge from online retailers head-on. Students, like all consumers, have their choice of where to shop—and online giants tempt them with massive selections, super deals and services such as free, fast shipping. With […]
