Introduction: The Role of Provosts in Digital Transformation
As a Provost or Vice Chancellor, we know your roles and tasks are tough in the evolving digital landscape. You are the cornerstone when it comes to maintaining academic excellence while creating a future-ready environment that meets the changing needs of your stakeholders, especially the students!
The world out is competitive, hence building an agile, student-centered campus is not just a goal—it’s a necessity for engagement, success, and the general well-being of your university. We have interacted with provosts across the globe who have underlined the need to drive digital transformation in colleges and universities. With the help of this blog, you should be able to navigate digital transformation with ease and be more empowered to improve the overall experience of students at your institution and bring about significant change.
8 Crucial Provost Leadership in Universities
Key Data & Insights on Digital Transformation in Higher Education
It’s time for provosts to face the digital reality that is consuming higher education. More than 60% of colleges are making significant investments in digital projects, according to a recent EDUCAUSE survey, which is a positive development. The bad news is that almost 50% are encountering obstacles. They are being held back by reluctance to change, limited funding, and the challenge of integrating cutting-edge new technologies with antiquated systems.
Cloud Adoption
Beyond Just a Fashion Now let’s discuss cloud computing. The statistics are positive: 65% of colleges have adopted it, indicating a major change in the way higher education functions. This isn’t just a trendy term either. You simply cannot afford to overlook the advantages of cloud computing, which include increased collaboration, cost savings, and flexibility.
Effect on Engagement of Students
Let’s now discuss what actually counts: student involvement. Institutions that use automation and artificial intelligence are witnessing an astounding 30% increase in student retention and overall satisfaction. However, embracing technology isn’t enough on its own. The goal is to completely change the way that students learn by designing individualized learning pathways that genuinely meet their needs. If you could use these resources to raise student achievement and learning outcomes, just think of the effect it would have on your campus.
Contented Teachers and Staff
A Crucial Factor in Success What about your staff and faculty? According to JISC studies, the implementation of a digital campus management platform increases satisfaction by 25%. This is not merely a figure; rather, it is an indication of a more contented and effective work environment where employees collaborate easily, have less work to do, and enjoy coming to work every day. In order to support these changes and create an environment where creativity flourishes and faculty members feel empowered to give their all, provosts play a critical role.
Examine the data below to get a clear idea of how satisfied faculty and staff are using digital tools. This is a call to action, not just information, in your opinion. Your faculty are clamoring for support for remote learning, seamless technology integration, and more efficient workflows. Don’t ignore the areas that require attention, though, such as the development of digital skills and the time set aside for training. These upgrades may have a significant impact on how your organization responds to the digital revolution.
Key Challenges Faced by Provosts in Digital Transformation
Provosts, we know the digital transformation journey is complex, and you’re juggling more than most. Let’s break down the major challenges you’re likely facing.
Legacy Systems: Stuck in the Past?
You’re not alone if outdated systems are holding you back. Nearly 70% of campuses still use obsolete software, making modern tools hard to integrate. It’s like trying to force a square peg into a round hole — you need seamless solutions, and we’re here to help.
Resource Allocation: Balancing Innovation and Budgets
Balancing innovation with tight budgets is tough, right? Almost 60% of provosts are facing the same challenge. But strategic investments today can secure long-term success.
Data-Driven Decisions: From Info to Action
Got data but struggling to use it effectively? You’re not alone. 75% of leaders want better tools for analyzing student performance. The right technology can help turn data into action, and we’ve got the solutions.
Student Engagement: Meeting Digital Expectations
Students demand more than just lectures — they want interactive, hands-on experiences. By adopting innovative strategies, you can boost retention. It’s time to reimagine your classrooms and empower students.
Faculty Adoption: Overcoming Resistance
Faculty resistance to new tech is a real barrier, with 50% of educators concerned about adopting new tools. The answer? Create a supportive environment with proper training and clear benefits.
How Creatrix Campus Can Help: Solutions Tailored for Provosts
Simplified Campus Management
Imagine working in a higher education setting where every aspect of campus administration is streamlined into a single, cloud-based platform. By assisting you in getting rid of outmoded procedures and never-ending paperwork, Creatrix Campus frees up time for you to concentrate on what really matters—improving academic innovation and student success.
Data-Based Perspectives
We are aware of how important it is to base decisions on current, usable information. With the aid of advanced analytics and business intelligence tools from Creatrix, you can transform complicated data into insightful knowledge. This provides you the self-assurance to take on obstacles head-on and make choices that will advance your organization.
Untiring Student Lifecycle Administration
Overseeing the student journey shouldn’t seem like a difficult undertaking, from admissions to graduation and beyond. A complete student lifecycle solution that streamlines each step is provided by Creatrix. We make it easy for you and your students, whether it’s increasing student engagement or expediting enrollment.
Enhanced Academic Task
We are aware that one of the trickiest jobs you have on your plate can be faculty management. You can make sure that resources are maximized and that faculty members have more time to concentrate on what they do best—teach and mentor students—with Creatrix’s Faculty Workload Management.
Stress-Free Compliance with Accreditation
Maintaining compliance with accreditation requirements is crucial, but it can be very demanding. You can relax knowing your institution is adhering to all relevant regulations with our automated compliance tools, all without adding to the administrative workload.
Flexible and Cost-Effective
We are aware that money is tight, but Creatrix allows you to avoid making any sacrifices. Our solutions ensure you get the resources you need without breaking the bank because they are not only scalable but also built to grow with your institution.
Real-World Success Story: Dublin Dental University Hospital
Leading dental school in Ireland since 1899, The Challenge DDUH was doing well in patient care and dental education, but what about their curriculum management? Not in that way. Faculty were being slowed down and it was becoming more difficult to guarantee student success due to the manual process of mapping courses and tracking learning outcomes. They required a method that would simplify these processes without making them more difficult.
What was required by DDUH
The DDUH faculty was looking for more than a simple update. To make their jobs easier and more intelligent, they needed a single platform where they could simply map out their curriculum, monitor progress, and access reports instantly.
Creatrix Campus: The Salvation
We offered DDUH a tailored Curriculum Management solution that satisfied every requirement:
Faculty members could see exactly where they were and where they needed to go with the help of a tool called visual curriculum mapping.
Data-Driven Insights: Accessible reports that ensure each choice was supported by reliable data.
Personalized Dashboards: hassle-free, role-specific views that kept teachers informed and responsible.
The End Results
DDUH saw improvements right away after deploying Creatrix, taking only half the anticipated time to complete:
50% Quicker Execution: No more fees, no delays—just quick, seamless integration.
Improved Teaching Quality: Faculty could devote more time to students and less time to administrative tasks.
Smarter Operations: With streamlined procedures and transparent results, the organization as a whole became more efficient.
Conclusion: Drive the Role of Provosts as Pioneers of Change with Creatrix Campus
You are leading your organization’s digital transformation as a provost. Real change can be sparked by your leadership, not just in the way your institution runs but also in the way students learn and achieve. You can empower your faculty, reduce complexity, and enhance student outcomes with Creatrix Campus—all while adhering to regulations and staying within budget. Together, let’s rethink what is feasible and establish a progressive, prosperous organization. You can make that happen with your leadership.
Top Student Enrollment Roadblocks and How to Overcome Them
In my more than two decades of steering enrollment management at various institutions, I’ve seen students encounter numerous hurdles on their journey to and through higher education.
My experience has consistently shown that the decision to enroll is heavily influenced by four critical factors:
The ease of the enrollment process
A transparent path to graduation
A reasonable time frame for degree completion
A clear cost-benefit analysis of the educational offering
Understanding these priorities is critical to attracting and retaining students in the community college space. By aligning your enrollment strategies with the needs and expectations of prospective students, you can ensure a smoother, more engaging educational journey that benefits both the students and your educational institution alike.
Common Ease of Enrollment Roadblocks for Students
The pursuit of higher education is a daunting task in itself. When students encounter challenges at the enrollment phase — before the actual coursework even starts — it can be easy for them to bow out of the process altogether. To ensure that doesn’t happen, avoid these common pitfalls in the community college enrollment journey:
Complex Enrollment Processes
Lengthy admissions procedures: Complicated and time-consuming application processes can frustrate new students, especially those unfamiliar with higher education procedures.
Document submission delays: Students may struggle with gathering and submitting the required documents (e.g., transcripts, proof of residency) on time, leading to delays in their enrollment.
Orientation and Information Overload
Overwhelming orientation sessions: While orientation programs are meant to help new students, they can be overwhelming if they cover too much information in a short time, leaving students confused about where to start.
Missed information: Students may miss important information about resources, deadlines, and processes if the information is not communicated clearly, or if the students do not attend orientation sessions.
Confusing Websites
Sites overloaded with information: Websites designed to serve multiple audiences — current students, alumni, faculty, and potential students — can make the inquiry stage difficult and confusing for prospective students. They may become frustrated as they struggle to find specific information or complete essential tasks, which can lead to them delaying or abandoning the process.
Placement Testing Delays
Test scheduling issues: Placement tests in subjects like math and English are often required before students can register for classes, but delays in scheduling or students misunderstanding the requirements can slow down the process.
Preparation for tests: Some students may need to brush up on certain skills before taking a placement test, and may be unaware of resources or study options available to them, making this a barrier for them.
How to Overcome Ease of Enrollment Roadblocks
So, those are the potential enrollment roadblocks for community college students. But what are the enrollment solutions? Solutions for overcoming enrollment roadblocks for community college students include the following:
Create a “Future Students” platform: Build a page or digital experience that is 100% focused on educating and helping individuals who are simply exploring their educational options. Below are just a few examples of topics that prospective students might want to be able to easily find information about on your “Future Students” page or experience:
When can I start?
How much does it cost?
What support services are available?
What is the application process and deadline?
What are the specific steps I need to take to be prepared for the start of the term?
What happens after I apply?
Create mobile-friendly applications: Simplify the application itself, and ensure that students can use their mobile device to complete the application, apply for financial aid, register for orientation and/or courses, and order their books.
Apply technology solutions: Use simple and low-cost systems to track students’ progress through the onboarding process, identify at-risk students, and automate follow-up communications.
Use data analytics: Analyze data to identify common drop-off points as new students navigate the onboarding process, and tailor interventions to address these specific challenges.
Common Clear Path to Graduation Roadblocks for Students
Now that you’ve mowed down the enrollment roadblocks, it’s time to ensure that the ride stays smooth. Remember, it’s never too late for students to change their direction. They might do so if these issues persist:
Course Registration Problems
Limited course availability: Popular or required courses may fill up quickly, leaving new students without the courses they need, which can delay their academic progress.
Complex registration systems: A complicated online registration system can be difficult for students to navigate, leading to errors or incomplete registrations.
Prerequisite confusion: Understanding which courses have prerequisites and ensuring those are met can be a hurdle for new students unfamiliar with academic requirements.
Technology Barriers
Difficulty navigating online platforms: New students may struggle with using the college’s online portals for registration, financial aid, course management, and other essential functions.
Limited digital literacy: Students with limited experience using digital tools may face challenges in accessing online resources and completing necessary tasks.
How to Create a Clear Path to Graduation
Constructing a clear path to graduation isn’t easy, and with limited resources, it can be difficult to avert every bump in the road. But in my experience, you can keep most students on track by focusing on these two key areas:
Create academic maps: Complete an analysis that maps out all of your institution’s programs, courses, campuses, modalities, and times of day (day versus evening courses). Make sure all students can clearly see what courses they need as well as how, when, and where they can take the courses in order to reach their educational goals.
Make integration the top priority: Really cool software options exist that are designed to help students stay on track. But if they don’t integrate with your existing systems, steer clear. You’re only going to confuse your students with disjointed information.
Common Reasonable Degree Completion Roadblocks for Students
You’ve cleared two major hurdles by easing the enrollment process and creating a clear path to graduation. But you’re only halfway home. Here are some common mistakes institutions make when it comes to the time it takes to complete a degree:
Inadequate Academic Advising
Limited access to advisors: New students often need guidance on how to choose the right courses, but they may struggle to get timely appointments with academic advisors due to high demand.
Lack of personalized guidance: Some students receive generic advising that doesn’t take their individual needs and goals into account, leading to poor course selection or misaligned academic paths.
Lack of Clear Communication
Inconsistent information: Conflicting messages from different departments (e.g., admissions, financial aid, advising) can create confusion and frustration among students.
Unclear next steps: Students may not know what steps to take after completing their initial tasks, which can lead to delays in moving forward with the enrollment process.
Social and Emotional Challenges
Anxiety and uncertainty: The transition to college can be intimidating, especially for first-generation students. Without proper support, students may feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed.
Lack of connection: Feeling disconnected from the campus community can hinder a student’s willingness to engage and complete the onboarding process.
How to Help Students Reach Their Goals in a Reasonable Amount of Time
When it comes to keeping students on track, intervention is key. Follow these tips:
Educate students early: Help students realize that taking two courses per term may not be enough to earn their degree in the time frame they set for themselves. Make them aware of initiatives such as “15 to Finish” or “Momentum Year,” as well as other ways to receive college credit, such as through a prior learning assessment. These topics can all be part of the “Future Students” experience mentioned above in the “Ease of Enrollment” section.
Keep students focused on the end goal: Post each student’s expected graduation date within their degree audit so they can see that taking two courses per term will put them on pace to earn an associate degree in five years.
Common Cost/Benefit Roadblocks for Students
You’ve now reached the last but never the least critical roadblock in higher education: return on investment. It’s why your students are showing up, and if the numbers don’t make sense, they can — and should — turn back. Here are some financial concerns that your students are likely to face:
Housing and Transportation Challenges
Affordable housing: Students who need housing may have trouble finding affordable options, which can delay their ability to start classes.
Transportation barriers: Students without reliable transportation may struggle to attend orientation sessions, placement tests, or even some of their classes.
Cost of College Data Is Hard to Find
How much a degree costs: Some students don’t know what a college credit is, much less what a cost-per-credit model is. Furthermore, many students don’t know how many credits it takes to earn a degree/credential.
Payment options: Students may not know that different financial options exist. This is especially true for students who work full time for an employer that provides tuition assistance as a benefit.
Ways to Help Students With Their Financial Concerns
Your institution is responsible for ensuring that students understand their financial obligations and how to meet them. Here are a few ways that you can do this:
Provide clear cost comparisons: Create easy-to-understand charts or infographics that compare the cost of tuition and fees at your community college to those at local four-year universities. Highlight the significant savings.
Offer cost calculators: Provide online calculators that allow students to input their financial information and compare a community college’s costs to a four-year institution’s costs. See an example here.
Provide debt-projection tools: Offer tools that project potential student loan debt based on different educational paths, clearly illustrating the financial advantages of the community college option. Remember that you are an educator and that education starts the moment a student begins exploring your college.
Bust Down Roadblocks by Partnering With Archer
In my 20 years of experience, I’ve helped lots of institutions navigate these potential roadblocks to enrolling and retaining more students. And I’m far from alone in my expertise at Archer. Our full-service team partners with colleges of all kinds to help them build and scale their capacities.
Is your institution ready for a collaborative partner who takes the time to get to know you, then makes custom recommendations based on decades of experience? Reach out to us today!
Brian Messer has over 20 years of experience overseeing all aspects of university administration, including online, operations, academic affairs, enrollment management, marketing, financial management, and human resources and student affairs. Specifically, his extensive experience in scaling marketing and enrollment initiatives in all sectors of nontraditional higher education have contributed to student success and growth at many institutions of higher learning.
Messer holds a doctorate in higher education administration from Saint Louis University.
The decision to enroll in college is significant, and students rely on institutional guidance to make informed choices. Financial information, particularly regarding tuition costs and financial aid, is often one of the first things they seek. Unfortunately, many higher education institutions struggle to initiate the conversation early in the enrollment funnel, which can lead to student frustration, decreased enrollment, and potentially higher student debt.
Engaging in financial aid discussions with prospective students early on in their enrollment journey is a crucial opportunity to alleviate concern and create a smoother experience. We’ve put together actionable strategies to help higher ed professionals initiate these conversations, better manage the student experience, and remove a significant barrier from their decision-making process. Explore strategies for how and when to have these conversations and highlight the key differences between traditional students and online adult learners, providing insights to increase enrollment and student success.
Gain additional insights into effectively managing financial aid discussions in our latest recorded webinar.
The Importance of Early Funnel Financial Advising
As consumers in today’s digital age, Modern Learners are accustomed to having information instantly accessible at the click of a button. Before committing to a program, students seek transparency about tuition costs and financial aid directly on the university’s website. According to EducationDynamics’ Online College Students Report, 90% of online college students begin their search on a college’s website, with 60% specifically looking for cost and financial information. However, only 36% report being able to easily find this critical information. The report also reveals that 58% of students prefer to learn about costs when they first visit a school’s website, while 26% expect this information after their initial inquiry. Only 10% are willing to wait until they hear back from the school post-application, and just 6% after acceptance. These findings identify a critical gap in the student experience.
Addressing this gap is vital for effectively guiding students through their enrollment journey. It’s also important to acknowledge that not all students have the same familiarity with navigating college financial processes. For example, the Online College Students Report found that 36% of online college students are first-generation college students, who may lack experience with navigating the college enrollment process, making conversations centered on financial aid even more critical.
Additionally, many online students have already incurred student loan debt from prior enrollment, which can impact their ability to finance their education through federal aid alone. This existing debt often influences their decision to re-enroll. Therefore, engaging in financial discussions and understanding the impact of various factors, such as debt and previous financial experiences, is essential.
Tailoring financial information and support to meet diverse needs is just one part of the broader conversation about enhancing financial literacy for prospective students. Financial literacy is an important component of their overall student journey, and by prioritizing this education and personalizing the approach, institutions can better support their students’ success while also improving enrollment outcomes.
Building a Comprehensive Financial Aid Conversation Strategy
When a prospective student inquiries and connects with an advisor, it presents an invaluable opportunity to provide a comprehensive review of tuition, costs, and all available financial options. At this stage, it’s important to ask questions that allow for individualized support, offering personalized answers tailored to each student’s specific financial situation. Remember, many students may already feel frustrated after struggling to find this information on the website. To address this, proactive financial conversations are key.
Despite the importance of financial clarity, many enrollment interviews with prospective students fail to delve deeply into financial options. Instead, students are often directed to only the FAFSA, which limits the students access to information on other options. Discussing other options, such as scholarships, grants, and payment plans, can help reduce the greater debt load and give students a clearer understanding of how financial decisions impact them each academic year.
Student Journey Mapping
Student journey mapping is a strategic process that helps institutions visualize and optimize the student experience from initial inquiry to enrollment. When integrated with financial advising, student journey mapping becomes a powerful tool for identifying gaps in existing financial aid conversations and ensuring students receive the support they need early in their enrollment process.
To start, assess your current student journey map by identifying all pre-enrollment touchpoints where financial advising is currently provided. Consider where financial discussions are taking place and how they are being conducted.
Ask questions such as:
Where is financial advising currently provided?
How is financial information currently provided?
What gaps exist in these conversations?
Once you have reviewed your existing student journey map, create a revised version that reflects a best-case scenario student journey. Consider the following:
Has the party responsible for financial advising changed or evolved?
Is the current system access still relevant?
Are there training or knowledge gaps that need to be addressed?
What specific questions should be asked during pre-enrollment advising to better address students’ financial needs?
By addressing these considerations, institutions can create a more seamless and supportive financial advising experience that meets the unique needs of prospective students.
Effective financial aid conversations are instrumental to student success, and well-trained enrollment teams can make a significant impact. With well-trained enrollment teams, institutions can provide clarity and support while fostering trust in the financial aid process. Here are four strategies for ensuring your team is prepared:
Sell the Vision: Communicate the importance of financial aid discussions in shaping the student experience, motivating your team to approach these conversations with empathy and purpose.
Solicit Feedback: Ask your enrollment team for input on their challenges and needs to ensure that training practices directly address their concerns.
Create or Outsource High-Quality Training Content: Develop or outsource engaging training content that covers financial aid topics. Consider leveraging professional support, such as our Financial Aid Advising services, to ensure your team is thoroughly supported.
Incorporate Relevant Resources or Data: Integrate current data and resources into your training materials, such as insights from the Online College Students Report to help your team understand the specific financial challenges students face and how to address them effectively.
By implementing these strategies, your team will be better equipped to guide students through complex financial decisions, ensuring they feel supported from the first conversation through to enrollment.
Beyond FAFSA
While the FAFSA is a starting point for financial aid, it’s important to explore a range of financial aid options to better address varying student needs.
Students may benefit from alternative financial aid options such as tuition reimbursement programs, employer-sponsored education benefits, scholarships, grants, and flexible payment plans. These resources can help reduce their reliance on loans and alleviate stress throughout their academic journeys.
Through presenting a range of financial aid options, institutions can empower students with greater access to financial support, increasing their chances of enrollment success while minimizing financial stress.
Monitoring and Adapting
To better understand the effectiveness of your advising strategies, consider tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to financial aid conversations. Monitoring these KPIs allows you to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments to ensure students receive the best possible support.
Relevant KPIs to track include:
FAFSA Submission Time: Measure how quickly students are completing their FAFSA applications after engaging in financial aid conversations.
Packaging to Direct Cost: Track how effectively financial aid packages cover direct costs, such as tuition and fees.
Revised Award Letters/Packages: Monitor the frequency and outcomes of revised award letters or financial aid packages based on ongoing financial aid discussions.
Increased Payment Plans: Look for a rise in students adopting flexible payment plans due to better financial aid conversations.
Tuition Reimbursement: Track the usage of tuition reimbursement or employer-sponsored education benefits as alternative financial aid options.
Continuous monitoring and adjusting as needed are key to optimizing the financial advising process. By regularly reviewing KPIs and the quality of financial aid conversations, enrollment teams can ensure that their advising strategies remain effective and aligned to student goals.
Resources and Next Steps
Leverage Our Expertise
At EducationDynamics, we recognize that navigating the financial aid process can be a challenging part of the student journey. Our dedicated financial aid coaches provide your team with personalized support, helping to reduce the workload on your internal teams, allowing them to focus on core responsibilities. By partnering with us, you can streamline the financial aid process, increase efficiency, and improve enrollment outcomes.
Watch the Recorded Webinar
For a deeper dive into effective strategies for addressing financial aid conversations with prospective students, don’t miss our recorded webinar. This session offers valuable information on integrating financial guidance into the pre-enrollment experience and enhancing your financial aid conversations. Watch the recording now to access comprehensive approaches that can augment your institution’s financial advising process.
Date: February 12-14, 2025 Location: The Ritz Carlton, New Orleans
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The Council of Independent Colleges’ 2025 Presidents Institute serves as a pivotal gathering amid the shifting higher education environment, offering a space for leaders to address key challenges. The 2025 gathering will provide over 300 college and university presidents, along with nearly 750 participants, the opportunity to explore how strategic community engagement can transform challenges into opportunities. With a focus on critical issues like financial sustainability, legal challenges, DEI and belonging, and federal policy, this event offers timely insights for navigating higher education’s political landscape.
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Date: March 30 – April 2, 2025 Location: Seattle, WA
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The ASU GSV Summit brings together leading thinkers in digital learning and workforce skills to create a future where everyone has equal access to opportunity. It is a community of educators, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in the educational technology and higher education industry who are motivated in reshaping society and education through innovation.
Date: April 23-26, 2025 Location: San Francisco, CA
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UPCEA’s DT&L and SOLA+R event combines 2 conferences into 1 seamless experience. It captures all the elements of digital transformation and leadership in a holistic way—from teaching and learning to leadership and administration—preserving the salient issues for two distinct professional communities, while catalyzing dialogue across all facets of the larger field. This event is ideal for key campus leaders – presidents, provost, deans, instructional designers, faculty, and other focused on digital leadership.
UPCEA DT&L and SOLA+R 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view last year’s event page for more information.
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HashtagHigherEd 2025
Date: TBD Location: TBD
HashtagHigherEd is a dedicated forum of professionals in higher education marketing and communications to converge, fostering the exchange of best practices amidst the complexities of a competitive and ever-evolving landscape. This dedicated forum provides a space for these professionals to collaboratively discuss effective communication, marketing, and branding strategies tailored to the unique challenges of the higher education sector.
HashtagHigherEd US 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view last year’s event page for more information.
Date: September 28-October 1, 2025 Location: Online and Grand Rapids, Michigan
Connect with colleagues and explore the impact of digital media on higher education at the HighEdWeb Annual Conference 2025. Designed for professionals across all roles—programmers, marketers, social media experts, managers, designers, and writers—this event offers diverse track sessions, an inspiring keynote, and group discussions. Engage with a vibrant community, gain valuable insights, and address unique digital challenges faced by colleges and universities, all while expanding your network and enhancing your professional development.
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UPCEA Convergence 2025 conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view the 2024 event page for more information.
P3 EDU – Innovation and Public-Private Partnership in Higher Education
Date: TBD Location: TBD
P3 EDU is an invitation-only annual conference that brings together university administrators, government officials, and representatives from foundations and corporations to discuss public-private partnerships in higher education. Attendees will delve into partnership opportunities, share best practices, and address the challenges of implementing successful public-private partnerships in higher education.
P3 EDU 2025 conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view the 2024 event page for more information.
Educause Annual Conference 2025
Date: October 27-29, 2025 Location: Nashville, TN and Online
The Educause Annual Conference is the premier event for higher education technology professionals, connecting the brightest minds in the field. This global gathering brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds within the higher education industry – practitioners, researchers, and solution providers – to share ideas, develop their expertise, and discover innovative solutions to contemporary challenges.
The Educause Annual 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view the 2024 event page for more information.
2025 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education
Date: TBD Location: TBD
For over 30 years, the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education has offered a dynamic glimpse into the ever-evolving landscape of higher education. With a program featuring peer-reviewed content, attendees gain the strategic insights needed to elevate their marketing strategies, enhance their institutional reputation, and ensure financial strength. Beyond the wealth of sessions, the Symposium serves as a vibrant community where knowledge seamlessly transitions into actionable initiatives, making it an invaluable resource for marketers looking to shape the future of higher education, foster growth, and ensure vitality.
The 2025 AMA Symposium Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view the 2024 event page for more information.
OLC Accelerate 2025
Date: November 17-20, 2025 Location: Orlando, FL
The OLC Accelerate conference showcases groundbreaking research and effective practices in online, blended, and digital learning. It offers a diverse range of sessions and activities designed to support administrators, designers, and educators by addressing the unique challenges and goals of the entire community. This event is a comprehensive resource for staying at the forefront of innovative practices in digital education.
The OLC Accelerate 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view last year’s event page for more information.
UPCEA MEMS 2025
Date: TBD Location: TBD
UPCEA MEMS is a must-attend conference for education professionals who want to stay on top of the trends in higher ed marketing. Presented from a variety of perspectives, sessions elevate the conversation about today’s higher education landscape. For over 30 years, MEMS has drawn professionals from institutions of all sizes to showcase thought leadership in higher education and explore trends in adult student recruitment and retention.
UPCEA MEMS 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view the 2024 event page for more information.
NAICU’s Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day is the premier policy and advocacy event for private, nonprofit higher education leadership, including college and university presidents, government relations personnel, and executives from state and mission-specific higher education associations. The meeting annually offers briefings on pressing policy issues affecting higher education and focuses advocacy efforts on these critical concerns.
WCET 37th Annual Meeting
Date: October 21-23, 2025 Location: Denver, CO
The WCET Annual Meeting brings together higher education professionals and practitioners to foster critical discussions, share the latest advancements in digital learning, and navigate the evolving regulatory landscape. With a registration limit of 500, the intimate and collegial setting of the WCET Annual Meeting offers unique opportunities for meaningful dialogue and insights, making it a valuable event for leaders and practitioners in digital learning.
WCET 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view last year’s event page for more information.
2025 Engage Summit
Date: June 24-26, 2025 Location: Charlotte, NC
The Engage Summit focuses on practical applications of AI, equipping attendees to lead their institutions through AI transformation. Participants will gain insights into the modern student’s mindset—understanding their motivations, interactions, and expectations in today’s digital landscape. This event serves as a great opportunity for educational leaders to prepare their campuses for the evolving future of learning.
The 2025 Engage Summit Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view last year’s event page for more information.
Conferences offer invaluable opportunities for higher education professionals to stay current with industry trends, discover innovative strategies, and connect with like-minded individuals. Whether you’re seeking to advance your career, enhance your skills, or simply stay informed, attending a relevant conference can be a hugely rewarding experience.
If you see any of our experts at EducationDynamics (EDDY) at one of these events, come and say hello! We’re excited about making new connections with people from all over the world who share a passion for learning more about what it means to understand, find, enroll, and retain adult, online, or non-traditional students.
We look forward to seeing you there; drop us a line if you’re attending any of the conferences above.
New Mexico students made tiny gains in literacy and dipped slightly in math proficiency last school year, according to preliminary results released Sept. 19 by the Public Education Department.
Regardless, the results show that a large majority of the state’s public education students continue to fall short of grade-level proficiency. This suggests that New Mexico will remain close to the bottom nationally in student achievement.
The PED results do not include detailed demographic or grade-level breakdowns. Those results will be released on Oct. 4.
According to the PED, 39 percent of K-8 and 11th-grade students scored proficient or better on state literacy assessments, compared to 38 percent in 2023, and up from 34 percent in 2022. The LESC results showed that the literacy proficiency rate was flat at 38 percent.
In math, PED data show 23 percent of students in grades 3-8 and 11 proficient. That’s down one percentage point from 2023 and two points down from 2022. LESC numbers showed 22 percent proficient in 2024.
In grades 5, 8 and 11 science, scores were up three percentage points, from 34 percent proficient last year to 37 percent proficient in 2024.
On 12th July 2019 I drove into Liverpool for my Go Higher assessment full of nervous anxiety and anticipation for what was to come. I had been encouraged by a friend to think about doing an Access to Higher Education course. I had no idea what it was. I googled the term and Go Higher popped up in my browser and I was hooked immediately. That discussion had not really been about using the course to go on to University, I had not even entertained that idea, it was much more about me doing something that was just for me, rebuilding my confidence and getting myself back out into the world.
So, here I was driving along through Toxteth, heading to the car park with an hour to spare when I got stuck behind the Orange March! Who knew they even existed in Liverpool? I was diverted and, in a panic, got completely lost. Parking up in a cul de sac I ‘phoned through to the office to explain the situation and convinced myself that was the end of that then. The admin team were great, calmed me down and told me that they would move me back to the afternoon session. Obstacle Number One overcome. I do not know what I was expecting but being told that there was to be a written maths exam was not on my radar. I have a real phobia of the word maths; it sends me into a tailspin if ever mentioned. I explained to the coordinator that I probably wouldn’t pass and why. He was amazing and calmed me down, as did the couple of people sitting on each side of me. We were all a little panicked about different things, but the staff all made it such an enjoyable and calming experience. I felt a real affinity with the lecturer that interviewed me. A few days later I received the letter congratulating me on being accepted onto the course.
By September I had connected with Paula who was also starting the course, she lived not far from me and so we decided that we would car share and go together for the induction week. I will not lie; it was probably one of the most intense weeks of my life for many reasons. The imposter syndrome set in immediately, the number of people at the first meeting was overwhelming, the schedule of work looked enormous, and the list goes on. What was great was that everybody made new friends, groups were formed, and those groups really encouraged each other from day one. By the end of the induction week a lot of people had dropped out. I had several wobbles, but the excitement of learning took over from the imposter syndrome. A few people threatened not to come back but, with encouragement from the tutors and their new friends they did return. The wobbles do not stop after the induction week, they come back time and time again, but you just have to remember why you want to do the course and talk to people for support.
By the time I had finished the course I had decided that I did want to go on to do a degree. I had decided part way through that I wanted to do a degree in Psychology and duly applied to three universities, including Liverpool, and was accepted by all. I had a change of mind and thought that I would prefer to do English. After speaking to Claire at Go Higher I realised that I could not apply for English at Liverpool as I hadn’t taken the English module on Go Higher. She suggested I consider Irish Studies. It was a perfect fit for me as a multi-disciplinary course incorporating History, Culture, Politics and Literature of Ireland. I applied and was accepted. It seems ironic that just a year earlier my chance to even do the Go Higher was almost scuppered by an Orange march! I was given so many fantastic opportunities as a student in the Institute of Irish Studies. I acted as both Student and Faculty representative; I was privileged to be selected as an Undergraduate Research Student for Prof Frank Shovlin and I completed a placement at the Museum of Liverpool where I worked on a project to update the Irish Trail and revamp the Information pamphlets.
My journey through university was not as straightforward as I had hoped it would be. Each year brought me ‘out of the ordinary’ personal challenges that affected my studies, but I persevered. It took me a little longer to complete my degree than I would have hoped but, with the fantastic support and encouragement from all of the academic staff in the Institute of Irish Studies I got there in the end. I graduated earning a BA (Hons) in Irish Studies, 2:1 and winning the George Huxley prize for best dissertation. I am so very proud of myself and will be forever grateful to all of the staff from Go Higher who inspired me, pushed me and helped me to find my way to university.
If I can give any advice to anybody thinking about doing Go Higher it would be to just put one foot in front of the other. Sign up and focus on the assessment day, cross each bridge as it comes, when you wobble, get back up and keep moving forward. Everybody suffers from Imposter Syndrome; everybody wants to give up at some point. When you graduate Go Higher and become an undergraduate, embrace being around the younger students, join in with as many societies as you can, really immerse yourself in the lectures and seminars, enjoy every moment. Mostly I would say, never give up on yourself because the staff will not give up on you.
TORONTO – September 19, 2024 – Top Hat, the leader in student engagement solutions for higher education, today announced the release of its latest faculty survey report, From Promise to Practice: Harnessing Gen AI for Evidence-Based Teaching. The report details the current use of AI among 300+ college and university educators in improving the quality and impact of instruction.
Key findings:
Faculty who receive formal training are more likely to agree generative AI is helpful in enhancing course design and delivery and to use AI for guidance on incorporating evidence-based teaching practices.
While ChatGPT debuted almost two years ago, only 12% of instructors use generative AI on a daily basis to support their teaching practice.
Institutions are not meeting the demand for faculty development. Of the 49% percent who’ve received training on generative AI, 48% have relied on organizations outside of their institution.
The conversation around AI has been dominated by concerns over academic integrity and growing urgency to promote student AI literacy. What has received less attention is the role of AI in supporting evidence-based teaching practices proven to positively impact student persistence and success.
“Using AI to improve course design and delivery remains a promising yet largely unrealized opportunity,” said Dr. Bradley Cohen, Chief Academic Officer at Top Hat. “By putting evidence-based teaching practices at the heart of efforts to advance faculty adoption of AI, institutions stand to realize the combined benefits of ensuring more faculty appreciate the potential value of AI—while advancing teaching methods shown to improve student persistence and success.”
The report found that most instructors express optimism about the potential of AI to enhance instruction. Yet lack of exposure and inconsistent training remain key obstacles in realizing the potential of AI in accelerating evidence-based teaching practices like active learning, frequent low-stakes assessments, and helping students to ‘learn how to learn.’
Read the report, along with insights and guidance on accelerating faculty AI adoption.
About Top Hat
As the leader in student engagement solutions for higher education, Top Hat enables educators to employ proven student-centered teaching practices through interactive content and tools enhanced by AI, and activities in in-person, online and hybrid classroom environments. To accelerate student impact and return on investment, the company provides a range of change management services, including faculty training and instructional design support, integration and data management services, and digital content customization. Thousands of faculty at 750 leading North American colleges and universities use Top Hat to create meaningful, engaging and accessible learning experiences for students before, during, and after class.
5 Tips for Keeping Students Engaged Throughout the Admissions Process
In higher education, the enrollment funnel can feel like a battleground for institutions vying to convert interest into commitment.
Traditionally, the enrollment funnel has been viewed simply: attract, engage, and enroll. But the modern student’s journey is anything but straightforward — it’s a complex, winding path influenced by numerous digital touchpoints and personalized interactions.
The health of the enrollment funnel extends beyond mere numbers; it represents the institution’s ability to connect with prospective students through every phase of their decision-making process. With technology reshaping expectations and behaviors, colleges and universities must not only catch the eye of prospective students but also keep them engaged through multiple channels and strategies.
This article unpacks key elements of the enrollment and admissions funnel, offering actionable insights and innovative tips to capture and retain students’ attention from their first inquiry through their enrollment stages. As we explore these strategies, you’ll discover the vital role that continuous, tailored engagement plays in transforming interest into activity, setting the stage for a successful educational journey.
The Modern Student Journey
Today’s students embark on their educational journeys equipped with a wealth of information and digital tools at their fingertips, making their paths to enrollment more complex and multifaceted than ever before.
Complexities and Challenges
The student journey is far from linear. It involves numerous interactions across various platforms and touchpoints. Each student’s path is unique and influenced by personal, financial, and academic factors.
For instance, a modern student, such as a working professional returning to education or a parent seeking to balance family responsibilities with schooling, may have different priorities and use different resources compared to a younger, first-time college student.
Technology has diversified the ways students gather information, and also how they engage with institutions. Prospective students might start their journey by conducting a simple Google search, but they will also often visit social media platforms, participate in virtual campus tours, and attend online webinars before starting their application. During this time, they are continuously evaluating their options and being influenced by each interaction they have with a school’s digital presence.
Impact of Technology
The proliferation of digital platforms has dramatically altered the student journey, both for students and institutions, in ways such as the following:
Digital Touchpoints: Websites, social media platforms, online forums, and virtual tours provide initial impressions and ongoing engagement. Prospective students can interact with current students and faculty, view online classes, and even participate in community events, all from their devices.
Data-Driven Decisions: Students use data such as graduation rates, employment outcomes, and student and faculty testimonials to inform their choices. They expect personalized interactions and content that addresses their specific concerns and aspirations.
Engagement Analytics: Institutions now have the tools to track and analyze how prospective students interact with their digital content. This data is invaluable for refining marketing strategies and improving engagement tactics to ensure they meet the expectations and needs of prospective students.
Given these technological influences, it is essential for educational institutions to adapt their enrollment strategies to meet the changing behaviors and preferences of modern students. Integrating data analytics, enhancing digital communication channels, and providing personalized experiences are all critical to effectively engaging with prospective students throughout their decision-making journey.
Understanding the Enrollment Funnel
The enrollment and admissions funnel is a foundational concept in higher education marketing that illustrates the progressive stages a student navigates, from awareness through enrollment. The funnel is not just a theoretical model but a practical guide for shaping effective engagement strategies.
6 Stages of the Enrollment Funnel
The enrollment funnel can be divided into several key stages, each requiring specific strategies to move prospective students to the next step:
Awareness: This is the initial point where potential students first learn about an institution. Efforts here include broad-reaching advertising, social media presence, and participation in educational fairs. The goal is to cast a wide, though still strategic, net and garner interest from a diverse pool of students.
Interest: Once awareness is achieved, the focus shifts to nurturing interest and familiarity. This involves providing more detailed information about what the institution offers, such as programs, support services for online students, and financial aid options. Content marketing, informational webinars, and targeted emails play a significant role in this stage.
Consideration: At this juncture, prospective students are comparing their options. They might engage more deeply with admissions counselors, attend virtual or in-person campus tours, and participate in Q&A sessions. Personalized communication and reassurance about academic and social fit are crucial.
Intent: The intent stage is where decision-making becomes serious. Prospective students might discuss their choices with family, friends, colleagues, or advisors, conduct comparative research, and seriously evaluate financial aid details and options. Institutions should focus on direct engagements, such as personal calls, text messages, or engagement-driven content, to solidify their interest.
Application: The application stage is the formal step of submitting necessary documents and fulfilling admission requirements. Support through streamlined application processes, reminders, and help desks is vital to ease this phase for students.
Enrollment: The final stage, where accepted students confirm their attendance and complete registration. At this point, effective communication about orientation, class selection, and enrollment procedures can ease the transition and ensure that students feel welcomed, supported, and valued.
A deep understanding and effective management of the enrollment and admissions funnel is crucial for any educational institution aiming to increase its student body. Let’s see how it’s done.
How to Keep Students’ Attention Through the Enrollment Funnel
Maintaining the attention of prospective students throughout their educational journey is crucial for successful enrollment. Here are key strategies to keep students engaged from initial inquiry through enrollment:
1. Consistent Engagement Across Channels
Leverage multiple channels to engage with students to ensure your institution remains top of mind. Implement a mix of digital and traditional marketing strategies to reach students where they are most active, such as the following:
Digital Channels: Targeted social media ads, engaging video content, and informative blog posts
Traditional Channels: Direct mail, phone calls, and face-to-face interactions during campus visits
2. Personalization and Differentiation
Tailor your communications to meet the specific needs and interests of each prospective student, and utilize data from their interactions with your digital content to personalize messages. Strategies to achieve these goals include the following:
Segmented Email Campaigns: Customized emails based on the prospective student’s program of interest, engagement history, and stage in the funnel
Custom Content: Relevant information that addresses specific concerns or questions that may arise at different stages of their journey
3. Incentives and Urgency
Create a sense of urgency and motivation by offering incentives that encourage prospective students to take the next step:
Priority Deadlines: Upcoming application deadlines that can be highlighted to spur action
Exclusive Offers: Application fee waivers or access to special events for early applicants
4. Building Relationships
Foster a sense of community and belonging from the first interaction through forums such as the following:
Virtual Engagements: Live Q&A sessions with current students and faculty
Personal Outreach: Admissions counselors who reach out personally to high-interest candidates
5. Continuous Improvement
Regularly assess and refine your engagement strategies based on feedback and analytics tools and processes:
Feedback Loops: Surveys and feedback channels that gather insights from prospective students
Analytics Review: Regular analysis of engagement metrics to adjust strategies and improve outcomes
It’s Time to Build Out Your Enrollment Funnel
The landscape of higher education is competitive, but the enrollment funnel could be your institution’s edge. By engaging prospective students at every stage of their journey with tailored strategies and personalized communications, institutions can significantly enhance their enrollment rates. If you’re ready to elevate your enrollment marketing strategies, Archer Education is here to take you to the next level. Reach out to us, and let us help you create a robust enrollment funnel that not only attracts but also converts prospective students into committed learners.
John Van Fleet is the Chief Marketing Officer at Archer Education. With more than 20 years of experience in higher ed marketing, John has a continuous track record of successfully supporting institutional growth.
In the heart of Albuquerque’s west side, a new beacon of hope for elementary education is set to rise: Equip Academy of New Mexico.
Spearheaded by Mercy Herrera, a Yale graduate with deep New Mexico roots, the school is designed to empower Kindergarten through 5th grade students through a unique blend of high academic expectations and culturally responsive teaching. With a personal history marked by overcoming educational challenges, Herrera is bringing her passion and vision to Equip Academy, aiming to equip every child with the tools to live out their greatness.
On August 21 Equip Academy received unanimous approval to open as a charter school from the Public Education Commission.
The school is set to open on Albuquerque’s west side in August 2025, with a focus to help improve student achievement and support the academic success of all students. This comes out of experience, as Herrera’s own academic journey was anything but straightforward.
Raised in a family that moved frequently due to financial instability and personal challenges, Herrera attended multiple elementary schools, making it difficult to establish a strong academic foundation. “College seemed super out-of-reach,” she recalled, but her determination led her to Central New Mexico College (CNM), where she began to rebuild her academic confidence.
After transferring to the University of New Mexico (UNM) and excelling in a Sign Language Interpreting Program, Herrera’s educational path took her to Harvard, where she presented research on translating scriptural metaphors from English to American Sign Language (ASL). This experience eventually led her to Yale University, where she earned her master’s degree in Disability Studies and Biblical Literature.
In applying for Yale, Herrera didn’t tell a soul. She almost didn’t believe that someone like her, who struggled in school, could elevate to such a college. And yet, Herrera got in.
Despite her achievements, Herrera never forgot her New Mexico roots or the struggles she faced growing up.
Reflecting on the 2018 Yazzie-Martinez decision, which highlighted the state’s failure to provide an adequate education to many of its students, Herrera acknowledged that she would have been classified as a Yazzie-Martinez student.
“My story isn’t unique,” Herrera said, “it’s common.”
With support from mentors who believed in her, Herrera found the importance of quality education in shifting the narrative for students from backgrounds like hers. With the support, she made it to CNM, graduated UNM, attended an Ivy League, and earned a second masters in the Science of Teaching from New York City’s Pace University. It is this experience, and the belief that New Mexico’s students deserve to succeed, that drives the vision and mission of Equip Academy.
“Every child has the opportunity to live out their greatness, and our commitment is to equip them to do so,” Herrera said, quoting the school’s vision.
Equip Academy aims to provide a joyful and engaging environment with high expectations that prioritizes measurable academic learning while celebrating student curiosity and community, regardless of that student’s background.
A key aspect of Equip Academy’s approach is its commitment to culturally responsive education. Understanding the diverse cultural landscape of New Mexico, Herrera has integrated culturally respectful education efforts into the school’s curriculum. “New Mexico has so much richness and beauty, and I think it took me leaving to understand that,” she said.
To ensure the school is responsive to students across all walks of life, Herrera is working closely with the Hispanic Cultural Center, National Institute of Flamenco, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and utilizing resources from the Native American Community Academy (NACA) to ensure that the school’s curriculum respects and reflects the cultural heritage of its students.
To support students academically, Equip Academy will implement a two-teacher model for kindergarten and first grade, allowing for more individualized attention. As part of her background, Herrera has worked as a teacher instructional coach and has made teacher support a key for the school’s success.
The school will also use cross-grade, flexible guided reading groups to ensure that students receive instruction at their individual “just right” level, helping them progress academically. Herrera emphasizes the importance of data-driven instruction and teacher excellence, which will be central to the school’s success.
Herrera’s return to New Mexico came after years of working in high-performing charter schools in New York City and driven by a desire to bring the same level of educational excellence to her home state. The experience shaped her vision for Equip Academy, prompting her to say, “I don’t know how, and I don’t know when, but I want to start a charter school in New Mexico.”
Now, that vision is becoming a reality.
Equip Academy plans to open with two kindergarten classes and one first-grade class, eventually growing to serve 450 students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The school will operate on a slow-growth model, adding one grade level each year to ensure that students receive a consistent and high-quality education throughout their elementary years.
As Herrera prepares for Equip Academy’s opening, she remains focused on the bigger picture: equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to dream audaciously, engage deeply, and pursue lives of purpose. Her journey from a struggling student to an educational leader is proof that, with the right support and opportunities, New Mexico’s students can achieve greatness.
Herrera’s words and hope for Equip Academy’s incoming students, “Believe in yourself, know what you want to do, and pursue it with everything you’ve got. With the right support, anything is possible.”
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program can offer significant financial relief to higher ed employees, but many don’t know they qualify for this benefit. PSLF is open to most full-time higher ed employees of nonprofit colleges and universities who have direct federal student loans.
HR can spread the word to current employees and use loan forgiveness as part of a retention and recruitment strategy. The average amount of individual loan forgiveness under the PSLF is $70,000, which makes the PSLF an especially attractive benefit to potential employees.
Here’s what you need to know about who qualifies for PSLF, how to offer a free webinar on PSLF to your employees, and what steps you can take to ensure eligible employees enroll.
What is PSLF?
Public Service Loan Forgiveness forgives the balance of direct federal student loans after 120 qualifying payments made by the borrower if they work for a qualifying employer (after October 1, 2007) and are under a qualifying repayment plan. It’s intended to reward and incentivize public service, like teaching, nonprofit work and work in the public sector. PSLF eligibility isn’t about what job an employee does or what their job description is; it’s about where they work.
Who qualifies for PSLF?
Full-time employees of a nonprofit organization or a federal, state, tribal, or local government are eligible. Full-time work is defined as 30 hours or more per week. That means most full-time higher ed employees are eligible for PSLF, including those who may work part time at your institution but are also employed at other qualifying jobs (as is the case with many adjuncts). But the PSLF only applies to direct federal student loans. Borrowers with other federal student loans may be able to consolidate them into a direct federal student loan.
How do I ensure my institution counts as an eligible employer?
Use the PSLF Help Tool, which will search the federal employer database. The help tool is also useful to recommend to employees since it’s a step-by-step guide through the enrollment process.
Encourage HR staff to apply for PSLF. With firsthand experience, you and your team will be able to speak knowledgeably about the process.
Publicize PSLF as a benefit to your employees, especially those who may not know they can take advantage of this program, including adjuncts and non-exempt and part-time employees.
Include information about PSLF on your benefits websites or portal.
Consider appointing a knowledgeable point person on campus, like a financial aid officer, to help answer employee questions.
Involve non-exempt, adjunct and part-time employees in outreach campaigns. Employees can meet the 30 hours per week requirement with more than one job. So if they have multiple jobs at multiple qualifying employers, employees can add those hours up. And the PSLF instructions include how to calculate hours worked by adjunct faculty. Payments do not need to be consecutive, so even adjuncts without summer appointments can still take advantage of PSLF and start to chip away at the 120 payments.
