Author: Dwyer Education Strategies

John W. Dysart President The Dysart Group While we usually focus directly on strategies and tactics in the Admission and Financial Aid offices, in this hyper-competitive market, the quality of operations in offices outside of enrollment management can impact recruitment outcomes. The Office of Career Services is a prime example. Both prospective students and parents report job placement and career success as major factors in the college selection process. You may wish to conduct a review of your career services operation to determine if the office is doing everything possible to enhance career outcomes and prepare students for a competitive […]

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Dr. Scott Miller President Batten University Katelyn M. Sanders Director of Admissions and Alumni Affairs Shenandoah University With fall session enrollment largely settled and work on institutional reporting to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) nearing completion, college and university leaders have an important opportunity to evaluate the success—or shortcomings—of their enrollment strategies. October marks the conclusion of the first quarter of the business cycle for most colleges and universities. The results provide some of the most reliable indicators of institutional financial performance for the academic year. For presidents, chief financial officers, and chief enrollment officers, this is the […]

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Dr. Scott Miller President Batten University Kelly R. Cordova Chief of Staff/VP for Strategic Initiatives Batten University For decades, enrollment success was measured by a familiar sequence: inquiries, applications, admits, deposits, and finally, who showed up on move-in day. That model is now insufficient. As higher education confronts the Enrollment Cliff, intensifying competition, and growing public scrutiny, the FAFSA has emerged as a new and consequential accountability instrument. With the Department of Education now flagging institutions whose graduates earn less than high-school diploma holders, FAFSA is no longer just a gateway to aid — it is an early signal of […]

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John W. Dysart President The Dysart Group The marketplace for graduate schools is changing. The elimination of Grad PLUS loans will impact education plans for prospective students. Federal loans for non-professional graduate school have been capped at $20,500. The changes in recent legislation will force more students to borrow in the private sector. Recent studies indicate that almost 40% of master’s degrees offer no net financial value. Visa restrictions are hampering enrollment opportunities for international students. Many colleges and universities have been implementing significant adjustments to their recruitment and financial aid tactics and strategies to respond to the new, more […]

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Dr. Scott Miller President Virginia Wesleyan University Kelly R. Cordova Chief of Staff/VP for Strategic Initiatives Virginia Wesleyan University Virginia Wesleyan University has experienced extraordinary enrollment growth over the past decade. We are grateful for the opportunity to reflect on that work and to underscore a central truth: sustained institutional success does not happen by chance. It is the result of intentional enrollment strategy, disciplined execution, and a willingness to adapt in response to changing market realities. Since 2015, higher education has faced a perfect storm of challenges—demographic headwinds, heightened price sensitivity, declining public confidence, and an increasingly competitive marketplace. […]

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John W. Dysart President The Dysart Group There is no question that these are difficult times for colleges and universities. Market realities have made even maintaining enrollment challenging and growth in the current marketplace is even harder. Demographics are having a profound influence on enrollment as the customer base continues to decline. More families are losing confidence in the value of higher education. As costs rise, financial aid from state and federal governments has been stagnant and, in some cases, has declined. The political landscape presents distinct obstacles for many institutions. The environment is problematic, but not determinant. Despite the […]

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John W. Dysart President The Dysart Group Dr. Scott Miller assumed the presidency of Virginia Wesleyan College in 2015. Despite challenging demographics, stagnated federal and state financial aid and a swath of college closures in recent years, the institution continues to thrive. While these are challenging times for most colleges and universities, especially small, private colleges, the story at Virginia Wesleyan University can be a model for others. Success is contingent upon bold leadership and requires detailed attention to the recruitment/retention plan, program reconsideration, expanded academic offerings, aggressive fundraising, new partnerships, physical plant improvements and significant investment in the curricular […]

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John W. Dysart President The Dysart Group It’s an extremely challenging recruitment market for presidents, administrators and enrollment managers.  Demographics are a real obstacle, support for federal and state financial aid has stagnated, and colleges and universities are folding at an alarming pace. The enrollment team at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan experienced a significant decline in enrollment over the previous seven years.  The Dysart Group partnered with the College this past cycle to implement a new recruitment and financial aid plan. The entire admission process was stream-lined for greater efficiency and transparency for prospective students and families. We […]

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Dr. Katelyn Sanders Director of Admission & Alumni Affairs Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy Shenandoah University Dr. Scott D. Miller President Virginia Wesleyan University  You only get one chance to make a first impression on a prospective student, and you want to make it great.  While you can’t always control where, when, or how a prospect first hears about your school, you can influence what they discover.  From sparking curiosity and pride to fostering belonging and academic challenge, here are ways to create an unforgettable first impression. Don’t Start with a Pitch—Start with a Class For many prospects, the […]

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John W. Dysart President The Dysart Group It can be beneficial to make use of vendor partnerships to assist with all aspects of enrollment management.  More critical, is to evaluate the success of those relationships annually. Calculate the cost of companies helping with your search process by determining the cost per lead generated.  More importantly, calculate the cost of each new student enrollment based on the expense of the partnership.  Discontinue partnerships that do not generate inquiry increases but also reconsider partnerships that generate more inquiries that do not result in an increase in new student enrollments.  For example, I […]

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