Learning Resources

Teetering on the Demographic Cliff, Part 3

Different Conditions Require a Different Kind of Planning

By: Bryan C. Harvey, EdD

Higher education has faced major changes for some time—COVID-19 accelerated that volatility—and now we’re anticipating the demographic downslope in student enrollment. How and when should institutions mobilize for the difficult work of planning in the face of wrenching change?

From Volume 50 Number 2 | January–March 2022

Abstract: Part 1 of this series described a major contraction in the pool of college-going 18-year-olds that will reverse decades of growth and stability for higher education. Part 2 explored how we can shape a planning context that supports success in the coming 10 or 20 years. Part 3 suggests how our approach to planning must shift to prepare for abrupt change.

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Example Plans

Published
February 2, 2022

Example Plan

Private Baccalaureate College (Wisconsin, United States)

This short-duration strategic framework describes goals and very specific action steps to guide the institution through the current, globally tumultuous era.

Planning Types: Strategic Planning
Tags: Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Enrollment Management, Goals, Racial Equity, Strategies and Tactics, Student Recruitment

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Example Plans

Published
March 5, 2021

Strategic Plan

Private Master’s College or University (Alabama, United States)

The university’s strategic plan details five broad goals with supporting strategies and measures for success. Focus centers on student success and leveraging technology for the 21st-century learning experience.

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Can You Trust Your Eyes?

Learn How to Minimize Misinterpretation of Data Reports and Visualizations

By: Karen L. Webber

Volumes of data are available to administrators to support decision-making. But that doesn’t mean that what’s been presented is accurate. When data are misused or misconstrued, senior leaders at higher education institutions may make the wrong conclusions, ineffective policies may be enacted, and students may not be successful in completing their academic goals.

From Volume 48 Number 2 | January–March 2020

Abstract: Data analytics related to student and institutional performance have evolved quite rapidly—and continue to advance—as the field of data science captures more attention across the higher education sector. And while data-informed decisions can help institutional leaders achieve their goals, there are increasing examples of analyses or visualizations that, when presented without the proper framework, result in misinterpretation and inaccurate conclusions. Context is critical, and erroneous deductions may lead to decisions that adversely affect student performance, program development, and policy changes.

Planning Types: Academic Planning, Strategic Planning, Strategic Enrollment Management Planning, Resource Planning, Institutional Effectiveness Planning
Tags: Assessment / Analytics, Data, Decision Making

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Example Plans

Published
February 26, 2020

Unit Plan

Private Doctoral/Research University (Massachusetts, United States)

The ten-year goals and strategic unit plan for the chemistry department at the university.

Planning Types: Academic Planning, Strategic Enrollment Management Planning, Strategic Planning
Resource Types: Unit Plan
Tags: Enrollment Management, Goals, Metrics, Science / Engineering, Strategies and Tactics, Unit Planning

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