Lawlor Advisory

As we have noted throughout this year, colleges and universities are experiencing so many items that impact their feelings about being on the edge of a demographic cliff. There is the constant thinking about what matters and what doesn’t matter; lots of uncertainty and consternation; and plenty of difficult and challenging problems. Overall, continue to stay positive, embrace innovation, and have a mindset about being edupreneurial. In addition, focus on alumni and friends of the college or university, because the more they know about the institution’s situation, many will be predisposed to helping your college or university overcome obstacles and helping you create enhanced value and more longevity. Best wishes to all of you this holiday season, and have a great 2025 that creates a lasting impact for many—and keeps your institution away from the demographic cliff. #highered #higheredleadership #collegesanduniversities #enrollmentmanagement #admissions #financialaid #marketing #fundraising #development #alumni https://lnkd.in/gn7EfNm3

This Thanksgiving season continues to facilitate consternation on many fronts in the higher education sector. No matter what, stay positive and keep a good perspective about the next steps and the season ahead. In many ways, this is the new “normal” that has been happening for years, and it is a catalyst for so many college and university leaders, board members, and alumni to stay positive and think about new opportunities to make the most of the situation. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, friends, and colleagues and best wishes for an even better 2025! #higheredleadership #highered #collegesanduniversities https://lnkd.in/g7KkXdSw

We noted this message last year in our October Focus, and in many ways it’s still the same today: The need to facilitate change continues. Today’s higher education industry and marketplace are experiencing numerous changes for better or worse, so change is a variable impacting not only enrollment but, for many institutions, survival. As many more colleges and universities are either closing or experiencing enrollment and fundraising shortages, the number of potential prospects is also declining. This is having a direct impact on so many institutions, and yet several colleges and universities are seeing increases in attendance and overall enrollments. Much of this is related to the geographic location and proximity to where many prospective students live, given the perceived inherent investment values associated with attending a specific college near home and/or where there are internships and opportunities to cultivate work after college. In addition, many colleges and universities are now experiencing very generous gifts from alumni and friends who recognize the inherent value of attending a specific college. So while higher education leaders are dealing with lots of “tricks” in the marketplace, supportive “treats” are definitely welcomed. Happy Halloween! #highered #higheredleadership #collegesanduniversities #enrollmentmanagement #admissions #alumni #development https://lnkd.in/gF8GWzxa

The annual National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) national meeting is this week, and its theme is The Courage Within. NACAC notes the following about its conference: “At NACAC, we believe there is no greater calling than serving students, families, and institutions to ensure the next generation thrives. Yet in today’s volatile landscape, it takes courage to be an educator. Divisive politics, global instability, and demographic shifts are among the headwinds making the college admission counseling profession more challenging than ever. The courage to do this work starts from within. Before we can lead others, we must find and strengthen our own center." As we noted last month in our August Focus, the lingering uncertainty among colleges and universities about their future is feeding a chaotic conundrum for so many in higher education leadership—not just in enrollment management. No question, higher education is experiencing many difficult problems today that require informed insights that lead to intelligent solutions. #nacac2024 #highered #higheredleadership #enrollmentmanagement #admissions #collegesanduniversities https://lnkd.in/gMVGsQv5

Today, the lingering uncertainty among colleges and universities about their future is feeding a chaotic conundrum for so many in higher education leadership. For many, today’s situation is not that chaotic, but the reality of not necessarily knowing what the right answer is or not coming up with correct solutions is facilitating a calamity for so many on college campuses. No question, higher education is experiencing many difficult problems today that require informed insights that lead to intelligent solutions. Without a doubt, today colleges and universities are living in an “enigma” as they face multiple difficult problems that are often too hard to figure out. The solution, though, is not just sitting back and wondering what should be done and who should do it but engaging in active collaboration to facilitate viable solutions that can lead to legitimate problem solving. People do support what they help create. And actions speak louder than words. Now is definitely the time to impact the chaotic conundrum that is lingering among so many campus communities and engage in getting done what needs to be done. #higheredleadership #highered #collegesanduniversities #enrollmentmanagement #admissions #fundraising #alumni https://lnkd.in/geMehP-U

This past Father’s Day weekend was a memorable moment in time on multiple fronts. It definitely facilitated a reflection on many of the highs and lows that have been encountered throughout one’s life, and as usual it prompted our thoughts about many of the uncertain questions facing higher education during these trying times. Of course, the special moment in time was when Korn Ferry CEO Gary Burnison sent out his newsletter on Father’s Day reminding us about what is important: “As leaders, it’s not only our role but also our responsibility to inspire connection and conviction. So, how do we support those around us? After all, purpose and people are inextricably intertwined. The answer can be found in how we live and lead. Leadership is not only personal, but truly S-P-E-C-I-A-L.” He then proceeded to share seven key words that helped spell out the meaning of the word S-P-E-C-I-A-L. No question, we are in the people business. Whether dealing with colleagues and students on campus or interacting with prospective students and their parents, high school counselors/coaches/advisors, alumni, friends, or local residents and community members, it is imperative that we demonstrate personal interaction that facilitates a special moment in time for each of these individuals. The impact is significant and fosters a genuine degree of confidence that a certain college or university is where people want to keep working, serving, helping, referencing, and supporting. No question, Burnison's insights definitely provided all of us with a special moment in time. Enjoy your summer! #highered #higheredleadership #collegesanduniversities #personalattention https://lnkd.in/gX9mZrCa

May Misery Magnifying More Mayhem... We noted previously in our March issue, without question these are fascinating times for most colleges and universities. And this year things are even more exacerbated by the continued FAFSA delay and the impact it is not only having on prospective students and families along with current students and families, but also the personnel in financial aid and admission offices. Adding the continuous concern and consternation that is lingering in the minds of higher education leaders who already know about the decline in the number of prospective students, questions about affordability, and the necessity to convey the inherent value of attending college, the 2024 recruitment and retention year is definitely full of unsolicited mental and emotional madness that is creating even more misery and magnifying more mayhem for the future of so many colleges and universities. In a bit of irony, a new book about higher education recently came out and Inside Higher Ed interviewed the author, Stephen Burd. His book, Lifting the Veil on Enrollment Management, has some good, relevant insights and yet, we have recently heard from so many chief enrollment officers who are in disagreement with many of his conclusions. Burd is authentically capturing a certain type of college or university that is definitely overlooking things that are so relevant to consideration and selection, but most of our clients and other colleges and universities have been completely open to welcoming and accepting most students and ironically, most are from geographic areas in fairly close proximity to where the college is located. Affordability is definitely an important variable today including no debt, along with internships, student life, graduation rates, and proximity to future job opportunities. And these variables are serving as an authentic catalyst for higher education leaders to recognize that today enrollment revenues can no longer sustain most institutions. Other resources have become a necessity. And, the primary supplementary resource that colleges and universities must embrace to alleviate the lingering misery and mayhem that is continuously growing among so many higher ed institutions is fundraising. Several colleges and universities have recognized this and initiated major gifts via generous alumni and friends. The impact is significant and fosters a stronger, more vibrant college that generates even more attention and interest. #higheredleadership #highered #collegesanduniversities #enrollmentmanagement #emchat #admissions #financialaid #fundraising #development https://lnkd.in/gzva3SAJ

This month's Lawlor Focus headline is "Catalyst for Future Success" and as we have already referenced this month and mention in the April Focus, AGB’s most recent Trusteeship magazine was full of informative insights that are so relevant to today’s market conditions. AGB’s executive vice president, Mary A. Papazian, opens with a headline that is a dose of reality: “Don’t Sell Higher Ed’s ROI Short.” She writes, “Immediate economic returns are certainly important—no institution wants a student to be in debt decades after they graduate—but relying on this sole metric diminishes the benefits that higher education provides to individuals, our society, and our democracy as a whole.” None of this is a surprise to Lawlor Advisory, but it continues to be a lingering problem for so many colleges and universities. For years we have conducted research with various client constituents on campus and off campus, finding not only price sensitivity, but more importantly, a need for all prospects to hear and know the inherent benefits and value of investing in a particular college or university. Actions speak louder than words, and when the value of a college experience is articulated to others by students, faculty, staff and alumni, the word spreads about why a specific college is a great investment today and tomorrow. This is another reminder for the campus community to collaborate together about viable solutions that are relevant today. The result will be people supporting what they help create, and their passion will definitely be persuasive to so many others. #higheredleadership #highered #collegesanduniversities #enrollmentmanagement #alumnisuccess #value #smartinvestment https://lnkd.in/gGZJvGRv

Bravo Goucher! And as noted in IHE about this $55 million gift, thanks to Anica Donnan Rawnsley, who graduated from Goucher in 1951 and served two eight-year terms on the Board of Trustees, and was then named a trustee emerita in 1997. And just as McPherson College in Kansas demonstrated last year with its phenomenal philanthropy contributions, the reality of today's higher education necessitates the need to increase endowments to facilitate more affordability for students and families. The times are definitely changing and hopefully, colleges and universities adapt accordingly. #collegesanduniversities #higheredleadership #highered #fundraising #advancement #endowment #edupreneurism https://lnkd.in/d4Myqgtz

Very relevant insights about the cost of higher education via Gallup and the Lumina Foundation. As they noted in this document, "The Lumina Foundation-Gallup State of Higher Education 2024 study shows that concerns about college affordability are top of mind for Americans. This national survey focuses on three key segments of the U.S. adult population — those who are currently enrolled in postsecondary education, those who previously enrolled but have not completed a degree and those who never enrolled in education after high school — to understand their experiences with and attitudes toward postsecondary education." No matter what, the authentic cost to attend along with the established value of the investment are key variables in the process of consideration and selection. #highered #higheredleadership #collegesanduniversities #enrollmentmanagment #admissions #financialaid #value