Higher Ed as a Business
For millennia, higher education institutions have remained relatively unchanged but this is no longer tenable in today’s competitive environment. In order to remain relevant to societal demands and responsive to student needs, colleges and universities must operate more like businesses.
Has Higher Education Become Commoditized?
John Mason | CEO, ACS Distance Education and PublishingCommoditization is a process whereby difference is eroded and competition becomes solely price based. Commoditization occurs when diversity decreases between competing products or services. It happens with food, furniture and…
Budgets and Budget Models: Can There Be Too Much Transparency?
David Rosowsky | Former Provost, University of VermontAs universities increasingly face fiscal challenges and concerns over long-term financial sustainability, they are looking at their budget models to incent behaviors or capture previously unrealized opportunities and revenue. These…
Change and Higher Education: Four Simple Observations
Jan Wyatt | Associate Vice President for Business, Nursing and Health Professions, Southern New Hampshire UniversityI work for an organization that moves at the speed of thought. While maintaining a clear and unwavering focus on our mission, we are constantly working scores of initiatives within…
How to Thrive in the Face of Budget Cuts: Broadening Access to Higher Education
Cathy Sandeen | Chancellor, University of Alaska-AnchoragePublic postsecondary institutions are finding creative ways to overcome state funding cuts, while still managing to expand access. In this interview, Cathy Sandeen discusses on the implications of these funding…
Stepping Back from the Cliff: Facing New Realities of Changing Student Demographics
Jim Shaeffer | President, Eastern Shore Community CollegeDemographics of students enrolling at colleges and universities are evolving. And students’ expectations are evolving as well. As the numbers of 18-22 year olds fresh out of high school drop,…
Mapping the Transforming Role of Continuing Ed on University Campuses
Kim Scalzo | Executive Director of Open SUNY, State University of New YorkThe higher education industry is evolving rapidly, requiring colleges and universities to adopt new approaches to serve a shifting audience. The traditional market of 18-year-old high school graduates isn’t disappearing.…
Personalization and Context Must Be Central to Any Effective College Rating
Nick Ducoff | Founder and CEO, EdmitAnnual college rankings provide students with a list of “best” (and “worst”) postsecondary institutions, rewarding institutions for decision-making and achievements. Unfortunately, for the most part, rankings are not based on…