Author: Dwyer Education Strategies

John W. Dysart President The Dysart Group As demographics continue to decline, the value proposition for college is under attack and competition increases, the need to increase or stabilize new student enrollment is paramount for most colleges and universities. Transfer students can be a valuable source of new enrollments for many colleges and universities. The nature of transfer enrollments has changed over the last decade, yet institutions have been slow to adapt. Schools have become more aggressive in their attempts to lure transfer students but often have introduced traditional tactics and half-measures to attract transfer students. Scholarships and Grants Affordability […]

John W. Dysart President The Dysart Group Much has been written in recent months regarding the implications for the latest tuition discounting survey published by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). While the rate keeps growing, so much of the media has attributed it to declining demographics and the attempt by private colleges and universities to buy students. This could not be further from the truth in my experience. College discount rates are increasing because financial need is growing while state and federal aid have not kept pace to meet the rise of aggregate financial need. […]

Dr. Marylouise Fennell Principal Hyatt-Fennell Dr. Scott D. Miller President Virginia Wesleyan University Once, social media were considered newfangled. Today, we urge you to use these platforms for doing business. It is a cost-effective way to expand your visibility to targeted audiences while promoting your institutional brand. What?s not to ?like?? Social media platforms provide the opportunity to expand, reach and engage with a wide variety of audiences on unlimited topics. Those who do not employ social media are missing out on ways of communicating efficiently and quickly to stakeholders. For years we have advised college and university presidents on […]

Retention has become a critical issue for most colleges and universities.? The importance of increased retention and higher graduation rates should be obvious.It is likely that colleges and universities are going to be held much more accountable for enrollment outcomes.? It is reasonable to expect greater scrutiny by accreditors, politicians, the Department of Education and the public in general.

John W. Dysart,?President,?The Dysart Group I have worked in higher education for nearly forty years.? I have had the pleasure of working with more than 180 colleges and universities throughout the United States on myriad issues related to enrollment management.? As a recovering Director of Financial Aid, I believe I have?unique insight into financial aid issues.? Instead of sharing a host of financial aid recommendations designed to support recruitment and retention objectives, allow me to offer a list of things NOT to do.   Do Not Cap Financial Aid Packages at Tuition and Fees if You Have Students Living on […]

For years we have written about innovative practices in higher education. In this issue we?ll discuss a community college-based concurrent enrollment model that goes beyond your typical 2+2 transfer arrangements.

The majority of colleges and universities rely on the work of admission counselors for success on the recruitment front. Counselor productivity is imperative to meet new student enrollment goals and to achieve total headcount targets and net revenue objectives. In this competitive market, Presidents and enrollment leaders must make sure that the stage is properly set to ensure admission counselor efficiency, productivity and ultimately, success.

Digital communication and marketing are important, and their influence is growing. Be aware of the trends and take advantage of digital communication opportunities in your enrollment management tactics.

To keep enrollment momentum going, it?s imperative that admissions staff never take their eyes off recruitment goals for even a second. Complacency among enrollment staff, coupled with lax accountability and expectations by their supervisors, can undo winning programs.