As these buildings enter their fifth decade of service, school administrators and facility planners are facing a critical decision about what to do with them. New thinking about their promise and potential is beginning to take hold.
Today's universities are challenged with pretty intense competition for the best and brightest students, while retaining and nurturing those students throughout their college careers. It's important to make sure students are the right fit from the start, while easing their transition to college and providing as much support as possible–a pretty tall order under any […]
As more veterans look to continue their education after service to our nation, higher ed must help veterans re-enter civilian life, adapt to the academic environment, and achieve the goal of earning a higher education.
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 […]
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 […]
Every week at the University of Washington in Seattle, the registrar’s office staff comes across at least three fraudulent diplomas. Every month, they uncover about two fraudulent transcripts. “And these are just the ones we see,” says Helen Garrett, registrar and chief officer for enrollment information services. “Our student database has not been hacked and […]
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 […]
When Cathy Stickney first arrived in Northbridge as the superintendent of Public Schools, she was that candidate whose eyes were wide open. After all, Stickney knew going in that the Northbridge Public Schools had a low college-bound aspiration and admission rate; and importantly, a low four-year graduation rate than the statewide average. Worse yet, 25 percent […]