Category: Article Archives

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 […]

» Read more

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 […]

» Read more

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. […]

» Read more

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 […]

» Read more

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 […]

» Read more

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 […]

» Read more

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 […]

» Read more

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 […]

» Read more

John W. Dysart President The Dysart Group If you have recently been appointed as President at a college or university, you already know the importance of enrollment and net revenue for institutional survival and success. The following is a quick checklist of warning signs as you consider your current enrollment and financial status. Review recruitment outcomes over the last five years for signs of declines in applications, acceptances and new student enrollments. Yes, the current market is challenging, but declines are often a sign of strategic and/or tactical shortcomings. It might be time to evaluate the entire admission operation. Accepting […]

» Read more

Dr. Katelyn Sanders Director of Admission & Alumni Affairs Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy Shenandoah University Dr. Scott D. Miller President Virginia Wesleyan University When it comes to deciding which college to attend — and whether obtaining that education is worth the cost of incurring student loan debt — prospective students and their families are always looking for more information, clarity, and reassurance.  One tool that can help them with all three is the Carnegie Classification, which groups institutions according to the type and priority of the degrees they offer.  Enrollment and admissions professionals can also make use of […]

» Read more