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.
Stepping Back from the Cliff: Facing New Realities of Changing Student Demographics
Jim Shaeffer | Founding Dean of the College of Continuing Education and Professional Development, Old Dominion UniversityDemographics 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…
11 Lessons Higher Ed Can Learn from the Private Sector
Bill Dracos | Chief Business Practice Improvement Officer, Emory University Meredith Swartz“Corporate!” “Profit!” “Business!” These can be despised (or at least disliked) words in higher education circles. After all, we’re not all about the almighty dollar. We don’t step on the…
How Senior Leaders Can Drive Organizational Change Through Challenging Times
Laurie Borowicz | President, Kishwaukee CollegeIn 2011, as I was picking a topic for my doctoral dissertation, the State of Wisconsin implemented Act 10, which significantly limited the collective bargaining rights of public employees. At…
Effective Scaling Takes Culture, Focus and Awareness
Jason Wingard | Dean of the School of Professional Studies, Columbia UniversityFor every college or university that wants to grow, scaling is critical to ensuring that growth is manageable. After all, broadening access to higher numbers of students without the capacity…
Donors and Covenants: Universities as the Guardians of Assets
Robert A. Scott | President Emeritus and University Professor Emeritus, Adelphi UniversityUniversities, whether public or private, operate with a publicly granted charter. The university governing board holds the charter in trust, hence the term “trustee.” In governing, the board is obligated…