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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Teetering on the Demographic Cliff, Part 2

Turning Away from the Challenge Is the Riskiest Strategy of All

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 1 | October–December 2021

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. Drawing on the path-breaking analysis of Carleton College economist Nathan Grawe, it outlined how widespread but variable the change will be, and discussed some of the effects—on enrollment, revenue, facilities, staffing, and more—for which colleges and universities should be preparing. This Part 2 explores these implications: How can we shape a planning context that supports success in the coming 10 or 20 years? What attitudes and skillsets will remain useful, and what may need to change?

Planning Types: Strategic Enrollment Management Planning
Tags: Cost of Higher Ed, COVID-19, Demographics, Enrollment Management, Funding, Resiliency, Shrinking Pool of Potential Students, Student Demographics, Trends External to Higher Ed, US

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Mission-Aligned Online Academic Programs at US Jesuit Institutions

Identify and Implement Practices That Mature the Development of Courses

By: Royce L. Robertson, EdD

A custom survey measured the process maturity involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating online offerings that reflected the principles of Ignatian Pedagogy.

From Volume 49 Number 4 | July–September 2021

Abstract: The purpose of the research was to observe process maturity associated with the design and development of mission-aligned online academic programs at Jesuit institutions in the United States. Twenty of the twenty-seven American Jesuit institutions were represented, including respondents who were most responsible for implementing the process used to design and develop online courses and programs. A custom survey was created to measure the process maturity involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating the design and development. The research design focused on narrative analysis of each institutional mission, which identified themes and keywords that were included in the custom survey.

Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Assessment / Analytics, Implementation, Measuring the Plan, Mission / Vision / Identity, Online Learning, Original Research, Planning Processes

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Teetering on the Demographic Cliff, Part 1

Prepare Now for the Challenging Times Ahead

By: Bryan C. Harvey, EdD

A long-term decline in birth rates raises fundamental planning questions for higher education as the pool of 18-year-olds contracts after 2025. How can planners and leaders use the time we have to prepare for some of the most wrenching changes in a generation?

From Volume 49 Number 4 | July–September 2021

Abstract: A long-term decline in birth rates raises fundamental planning questions for higher education as the pool of 18-year-olds contracts after 2025. This Planning for Higher Education series explores how planners and leaders can use the time we have to prepare for some of the most wrenching changes in a generation. This article, Part 1, surveys the planning horizon as we emerge from COVID-19 and describes the challenges ahead. Part 2 considers specific planning strategies institutions can adopt to meet the challenge. Part 3 tackles perhaps the most daunting challenge: how to mobilize institutions to actually do what needs to be done, however inconvenient (or worse) that may be.

Planning Types: Strategic Enrollment Management Planning
Tags: Cost of Higher Ed, COVID-19, Demographics, Enrollment Management, Funding, Resiliency, Shrinking Pool of Potential Students, Student Demographics, Trends External to Higher Ed, US

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 12, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

Strategic Resource Allocation

More Important Than Ever Before

By: Larry Goldstein, Retired, Campus Strategies, LLC

This session will focus on a proven process for fairly and holistically evaluating all current academic programs and support functions to assess their value and contribution to institutional success.

Abstract: Many institutions will not change their mission because of the pandemic, but they will need to change their approach to fulfilling that mission. This session will focus on a proven process for fairly and holistically evaluating all current academic programs and support functions to assess their value and contribution to institutional success. Reallocating resources is difficult in the best of times and performing this function under financial distress is exponentially tougher. Come learn how you can apply our collaborative approach at your institution to make this process more manageable and achieve better outcomes.

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The Art and Science of Supporting Adult Learners

Actionable Steps & Strategies

By: Scott Campbell (Co-Moderator), Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) | Terry Brown (Co-Moderator), American Association of State Colleges & Universities | Barry Nickerson, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) | Darrin Theriault, Kennesaw State University | Erika de la Riva, City Colleges of Chicago

More than ever, nontraditional students and adult learners are making up more and more of the student body at colleges and universities across the country. Learn how to effectively stand out from other institutions who are making mistakes in 10 key areas with the adult learner population.

Abstract: This was a free webinar hosted by CAEL, AASCU, and SCUP.

Students over the age of 25 are the fastest-growing segment in higher education. From 2000 to 2012, the enrollment of students over the age of 25 increased by 35%, and between 2012 and 2019, the share of students over age 25 increased by another 23%.

Even though more adult learners and nontraditional students are enrolling in higher education, many institutional practices do not consider the unique needs of this population. The best adult learner strategies not only increase student satisfaction, they improve enrollment rates and adult degree attainment.

More than ever, nontraditional students and adult learners are making up more and more of the student body at colleges and universities across the country. Institutions can create equitable pathways that can help overcome disparities in adult learning, and better prepare themselves for adult students who have been disconnected from higher education.

Learn how to effectively stand out from other institutions who are making mistakes in 10 key areas with the adult learner population.

Institutions Mentioned: Kennesaw State University
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Student Affairs Planning
Tags: Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Student Demographics, Student Engagement, Student Retention, Student Success, Student Support Services

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Keep on Keepin’ on

Customized Retention Practices Helped Low Income and Single Mom Students to Persist

By: Andrew J. Smith, EdD, and Jennifer Vamvakas, EdD

A support program for low-income and/or single-mother students to improve their persistence and retention was revisited 15 years after it had been launched at Charter Oak State College. Did follow-up with the graduates show that the effort had aided the former participants in obtaining their college degree? Had the collaboration between the institution’s Academic Services, Enrollment Management, and Financial Aid departments—and the support they offered—help the students to persevere? Based on survey results, was the program still of value, and what improvements needed to be made?

From Volume 49 Number 2 | January–March 2021

Abstract: This article is based on follow-up survey research from a doctoral case study that highlighted effective retention practices for low-income and/or single mothers who were students within the Women in Transition (WIT) program at Charter Oak State College. The concept of retention in this instance is an enrollment management practice aimed at maintaining a student population while aiding the institution in sustaining organizational success. Emphasis is placed on the retention concepts of social and academic integration that enabled the specific population to persist and succeed.

Institutions Mentioned: Charter Oak State College
Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Assessment / Analytics, Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, Measuring the Plan, Original Research, Student Retention, Student Success, Student Support Services, Underserved Students

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 19, 2021

2021 North Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2021

After the Fall

Including Faculty in Retention Efforts Without Burnout

By: Marcia Schmidt Blaine, Plymouth State University

Come learn how you can plan and coordinate campus-wide retention efforts and promote faculty participation at your institution.

Abstract: Retention matters for practical (keeping the doors open), ethical (successfully educating students), and cultural reasons (improving campus climate, which in turn improves retention and persistence.) In this session, we'll focus on the effective and budget-conscious retention efforts for a northeastern regional public institution. While administrative staff played an essential role, educating and coordinating faculty made a key difference in the success of these efforts. Come learn how you can plan and coordinate campus-wide retention efforts and promote faculty participation at your institution.

Institutions Mentioned: Plymouth State University
Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Faculty, SCUP 2021 North Atlantic Regional Conference, Student Retention, Student Success

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 8, 2021

2021 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2021

The Kitchens

How a Culinary Arts Program Supports Community Revitalization

By: Charles Tilley, Quinn Evans | Elizabeth Littlefield, Reynolds Community College

In this session, you'll learn how RCC delivers culinary workforce training and academic programs in a satellite facility at the heart of a poverty-concentrated area, pushing back economic isolation and promoting learning and health.

Abstract: The Kitchens at Reynolds Community College (RCC) exemplify a developing national model, featuring public and private organizations in a successful collective effort to boost economic development and healthier outcomes in a historically under-resourced community. Integrated planning for The Kitchens involves community partnerships and collaboration in education, health and wellness, workforce training, and economic revitalization. In this session, you'll learn how RCC delivers culinary workforce training and academic programs in a satellite facility at the heart of a poverty-concentrated area, pushing back economic isolation and promoting learning and health.

Institutions Mentioned: J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Strategic Planning
Tags: Community College, Community Engagement, External Collaboration / Partnerships, Health and Wellness, Measuring the Plan, Public-Private Partnerships (P3), SCUP 2021 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, Workforce Development

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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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Planning Types

Challenges