|
 SEM America |
| Strategic Enrollment Management WORKS |
 |
| SEM WORKS AMERICA E-NEWSLETTER, Volume 11, 2009 |
According to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke (see article) the economy is showing signs of improvement as we head into the second half of 2009. But despite this positive forecast, many institutions of higher learning continue to scramble to address enrollment shortfalls for the 2009/2010 academic year. However, through a simple shift in perception regarding the challenge of a down economy, a problem such as low enrollment numbers can be reframed as an opportunity to reignite campus-wide interest in a systems approach to enrollment planning, as discussed by Dr. Jim Black of SEMWORKS in this paper.
On a more specific note, Noel Levitz identifies strategies for tackling declining enrollment (see pdf) in today’s market. Below are a series of links that explore subjects related to four of the areas they discuss including; paying attention to the socio-economic profile of student participation; considering students’ financial needs; understanding how the enrollment funnel is changing; and reinvesting in retention planning.
|
Are institutions doing enough to get ready for this next generation of learners? Share your perspectives and experiences for diversifying the enrolment mix on
SEM WORKS' Facebook site titled "Enrollment Management Pros." Go to www.facebook.com, create a FREE account, and search under the titled page.
|
|
 |
|
These relevant and revealing reports are chock-full of information and proven strategies YOU can use to effectively engage in strategic enrollment management.
Want to keep up-to-date with
SEM WORKS?
 Subscribe to RSS
|
|
|
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF STUDENT PARTICIPATION
|
- Adult Students and Online Enrollment: According to the Aslanian Group, the 25+ age group is a growing contingent of both undergraduate and graduate college enrollment, projected to be more than 8% of the proprietary share by 2015. Read more
- Economic Diversity by College: Some important features to know about your students include their income, loan and debt profile, as well as their race/ethnicity characteristics. To check this for your institution, or to contrast and compare profiles from different institutions, click here.
- Enrollment in USA: In March 2009 the US Department of Education published a report that looks at the overall numbers and characteristics of students enrolled across the USA in higher education for fall 2007. Read more
- The Profile of K-12 Students: In June 2009 the US Department of Education published a report profiling the performance and progress of K-12 students across America. Of particular interest is Indicator #8 which shows “immediate transition to college” on page 16 and 17. Read more
- Current Demographic Trends in the USA: This report, prepared by the College Board, highlights the demographic profile of enrollment in higher education. The report’s table of contents includes Trends in number of high school graduates, the aging population, growing ethnic diversity, a profile of 2008 seniors in select states, as well as other trends affecting higher education. Read more
- Community College Students: The American Associate of Community College’s website offers an in-depth look at the enrollment, degree attainment, and profile of Pell grant recipients at community colleges specifically. Read more
|
|
STUDENTS' FINANCIAL NEEDS
|
- How Stimulus Funds Are Helping: The National Association for Counseling Admission Counseling has created a point sheet to identify 10 facts related to the economic stimulus funds for education. Among these facts are how stimulus funds will provide more aid for students, help students earn money while on campus, make education more affordable for families, and many more. Read more
- Community College Students Have Unique Needs: Community Colleges have their own particular profile of students where financial needs are concerned. According to the Institute for College Access & Success, community college students tend to have lower incomes than other types of college education students, are more likely to receive Pell grants, and are less likely to borrow student loans of any type. Read More
- Awareness of Financial Aid is Critical to Success: In an October 2008 literature review released by the Institute for College Access & Success, awareness levels of financial aid options fundamentally impacts college-going behavior in students. Specifically, the paper reviews such things as what students and parents know, how and when they learn about the information, how this awareness affects college-going behavior, and outlines some of the barriers are to accessing aid. Read More
- Understanding the 529 College Savings Plan: The 529 Plan is a savings plan designed to help families get a head-start on planning for their child's college education. However, different people have different views on their utility. Money Coach Alvin Hall, heard here in this audio report is clearly a fan. However, Investment Researcher, Greg Brown, heard here, suggests that 529's "...add a layer of complexity and confusion that ...doesn't need to be there."
- Trends in Student Aid: This report, prepared by the College Board, highlights the amount of student aid distributed among undergraduate and graduate students across the USA. The report also looks at distribution of grant aid vs. loans, as well as other types of college funding including education tax credits, supplemental grants, and work study programs. Read More
|
|
THE CHANGING ENROLLMENT FUNNEL
|
- A New Paradigm: While the traditional enrollment funnel has served institutions for more than 40 years, characteristics associated with the new millennium (shifting demographics, increased role of technology, and changes in student expectations and behaviors) have altered the design and utility of this funnel. This paper discusses what is driving this model shift, where the funnel falters, how to get more out of the prospect pool, and how new metrics are playing a key role in the new funnel. Read more
- Has the Admissions Game Changed?: Are students trying to get into higher-end institutions because they know schools are worried about their enrollment? Or are students concerned that the lack of financial aid support and increased tuition will prevent them from attending their institution of choice? Either way, many institutions are left wondering if students will or can accept their acceptance. To listen to this audio report, click here.
- A Failed Enrollment Funnel: Are the distinctions typically made between a prospect vs. inquiry vs. applicant in the traditional enrollment funnel still applicable? Are prospects and inquiries really as different from one another today as they used to be thought of in the past? “Dan” would certainly disagree with this theory. In this paper entitled “enrollment funnel failure”, Dan talks about his experience in admissions and just why and how the funnel is no longer applicable. Read more
- Re-envisioning the Enrollment Funnel: According to Sungard Higher Education, “The seismic shifts in the ways that students consume information, share ideas, and communicate with the world around them put traditional recruiting and admissions approaches at risk.” The report takes a look at how the path to enrollment has changed, how recruiting and admissions practices have not kept pace with these changes, and how to re-envision the enrollment funnel to achieve enrollment success. Read more
- A New Formula for Enrollment Management: The attached link reviews a book published through Macguire Associates. The premise of the book is captured in the following quote…“It turns out, that good old, reliable metaphor - the enrollment funnel - is leaking like a sieve. . .” The authors, Macguire and Butler go on to identify a new formula for enrollment management defined as EM=C2. To peruse through an electronic flipbook showing the first page of each chapter, click here. To purchase the book, click here.
|
|
REINVESTING IN RETENTION
|
- Are All Forms of Attrition Equal?: While every institution of higher education must deal with the problem of attrition at some point, it is worth nothing that not all forms of attrition are equal in their effect, nor are their retention solutions the same. This study, conducted by Hoyt & Winn (2004) explores the differences between students who drop-out, stop-out, opt-out, or transfer out. Read more
- High School as Launch Pads: A concept recently posited by Schramm & Sagawa (2008) in a paper sponsored by the College Summit, explores how reframing the high school experience as a launching pad for college rather than as an end in itself can positively impact college retention. They argue for the value of creating a college-going culture in low-income high schools as a method for not only increasing high school graduation rates, but for also increasing students’ likelihood of being ready for college. Read more
- Retention and Mental Health: Contrary to what many think, academic ability is not the only reason that students fall away from college. Mental health issues can also negatively impact student motivation and focus, resulting in increased drop-out rates. The attached article explores this relationship as well as a program initiative through the National College Depression Partnership (NCDP), where on-campus health centers become partners in identifying and referring depressed students to counseling services. To read this article, click here. To sign up for a free, informational webinar to learn more about NCDP on July 22nd, 2009, click here.
- Financial Aid and Retention: Sometimes college attrition can be attributed to nothing more complicated than a student’s financial woes. From a student’s perspective, securing the funds to continue enrollment is oft times issue # 1. This problem is very real for central New York high school graduates who see cost as one of the most prohibiting factors in their decision to enroll this fall. Click here to learn more. A study conducted by Gansemer-Topf & Schuh further investigates this issue by looking at the impact of institutional grants on student retention in colleges with low to high selectivity for admissions. To read their results, click here.
- Retention References: The Center for the Study of Student College Retention (CSCSR) (http://www.cscsr.org/) offers a host of resources for understanding retention. Specifically, for a list of retention research and articles click here.
|
Return to Top
|
This e-newsletter was edited by Maggie Killoran for SEM WORKS, based on publicly-available information. Neither the editor nor SEM WORKS assume liability for comments or information posted by others. Please send your comments to Kara Mohre, Director of Marketing at kmohre@semworks.net
407 Pebble Ridge Court - Greensboro, North Carolina 27455 - USA
|
|
