Mark Podgainy’s Post

Add the trend of students from the Northeast looking to go to schools in the South to the already shrinking pool of students in the Northeast. "Mirroring a migration of Northern workers to low-tax states in the South, students from New York, New Jersey and New England are now also heading to Southern colleges — seeking warmer weather, cheaper tuition and a more relaxed atmosphere at a time many campuses have become political battlegrounds. Applications to colleges in the South are up 50% since 2019, which compares to a less than 30% rise in New England and the Mid-Atlantic, Common Application data shows." https://bloom.bg/4cafudh #highered #highereducation #collegeadmissions

As we near the end of the year, we reflect on pearls of wisdom collected over the last 30 years. This month, we hear from principal Nanci Tessier as she comments on students’ choices as they relate to college affordability. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g6BqeQuk #anniversary #companyanniversary #institutionalstrategy #pearlsofwidsom #highereducation #enrollmentmanagement #collegesanduniversities

According to a 2023 study by the Pew Research Center, back-to-school dates are as early as July in some states, with the highest percentage returning in the middle of August. School tends to start early in the South (our kiddos start the first week of August) and later in the Northeast. As the accompanying chart shows, more than two-thirds of students in the East South Central division (AL, KY, MS, TN) went back to school the first week of August. They joined another 19% of students who started classes even earlier. In contrast, in the six New England states, almost no one goes back to school before the last week of August. In the Mid-Atlantic states (NJ, NY, PA), about three-fourths of students won’t hit the books until after Labor Day. Regardless of where you live, back-to-school preparations and shopping sprees are likely top of mind. Good luck to everyone! #BackToSchool

Please join me and my co-authors Umair Tarbhai, JFF and Carla Fletcher, Trellis Strategies for a presentation and discussion of our new report, "Unveiling Disparities: A Closer Look at Gender and Racial Differences in Student Financial Insecurity." We will be exploring challenges, possible solutions, and ways to partner with colleges in future research to assess and address student financial insecurity:

According to a 2023 study by the Pew Research Center, back-to-school dates are as early as July in some states, with the highest percentage returning in the middle of August. School tends to start early in the South (our kiddos start the first week of August) and later in the Northeast. As the accompanying chart shows, more than two-thirds of students in the East South Central division (AL, KY, MS, TN) went back to school the first week of August. They joined another 19% of students who started classes even earlier. In contrast, in the six New England states, almost no one goes back to school before the last week of August. In the Mid-Atlantic states (NJ, NY, PA), about three-fourths of students won’t hit the books until after Labor Day. Regardless of where you live, back-to-school preparations and shopping sprees are likely top of mind. Good luck to everyone! #BackToSchool

Here is a quick roundup of some of the trends among colleges and on college campuses currently, reflecting changes caused by politics and finances both. #GreatCollegeAdvice #HigherEducation #CollegeCampuses

Here is a quick roundup of some of the trends among colleges and on college campuses currently, reflecting changes caused by politics and finances both. #GreatCollegeAdvice #HigherEducation #CollegeCampuses

Investing in the success of the 3.1 million undergraduate students in the United States who are balancing parenting and academic responsibilities will pay dividends for their own economic futures and the fiscal and economic health of their states. Learn more about the experiences of student parents in New Mexico and what states can do to support this important population in Child Trends’ new brief. https://lnkd.in/dGjdQrDj  

Interesting article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, showing significant declining enrollment in (all but La Roche and Chatham) Pittsburgh-region small colleges. Few thoughts. First, undergraduates are the bread-and-butter of most small colleges. If one just focused on those enrollments, for many of these small colleges the picture is even worse. Second, considering my own world more, for those colleges willing to work that niche of more conservative and religious parents and potential students, the situation need not be dire, even in cold, cloudy regions with less-than-ideal weather or local night life. This is apparent using user-friendly sites like the College Tuition Compare website (which compares a lot more than tuition). Places like Hillsdale College (undergraduates up from 1,490 in 2014-15 -- furthest back available on the site I used went -- to 1,573 in 2022-23 -- despite very low acceptance rates), Cedarville University (undergraduates up steeply from 3,238 in 2013-14 to 4,533 in 2022-23), and Franciscan University of Steubenville (undergraduates up steeply from 2,112 in 2013-14 to 2,785 in 2022-23) are proof of that. Being conservative and more religious does not guarantee sustained or improved enrollment, not at all. Not being so doesn't guarantee the opposite. But in this era where increasingly, students who are both more religious and more conservatives are more concerned than ever about finding compatible college slots in places known for serious education, being conservative and religious can be a pretty good niche if a college does the other things with excellence as well. Third, starting with the most recent enrollment high point and comparing the most recent enrollments to that often gives us a worse picture than what we see just from the negative percentages they report. You can see this in their trend charts, for example, Point Park. #geneva #gcc #franciscan #hillsdale #cedarville https://lnkd.in/eG_B2b_B

Chris Romer, ACE, IOM, board member at Colorado Mountain College, shares his insights on how colleges and universities can combat the negative perceptions surrounding student debt and campus culture. 🎓💸 Romer emphasizes that simply telling a better story is not enough to address the challenges facing higher education. Institutions must take concrete actions to demonstrate their value and provide meaningful opportunities for students, including: 1. Developing industry-specific degree programs and certificates that align with workforce needs 2. Creating diverse pathways to support students with varying levels of college experience 3. Actively engaging with disenfranchised populations to promote access and success As trustees, it is their responsibility to guide institutions in implementing these action-oriented strategies. By doing so, they can not only combat negative perceptions but also create tangible value for students and communities. Listen to the full episode to learn more about how trustees can navigate the complex challenges facing higher education and drive positive change. 🎧🔗 #highered #trustees #studentdebt #workforce