What will be the Ripple Effect of COVID-19 on Higher Education?
By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute If you aren’t getting much information on COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus, you must either be living in a cage or are currently under quarantine. The news and discussion is everywhere, as it should be given the seriousness of this global health issue. According to Global Health Now, COVID-19 is more contagious than … Continue reading What will be the Ripple Effect of COVID-19 on Higher Education?
The Demographic Challenge of Higher Education
By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scientist, Educational Policy Institute Most postsecondary institutions across the country are experiencing sharp and steady declines in enrollment. This is for two primary reasons: demographic and economic trends. In 2010, the US hit a peak of college-aged students that has since been on a slow decline. The chart below illustrates both the decline and the projected enrollment until … Continue reading The Demographic Challenge of Higher Education
So, You Want to Increase Student Retention?
By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scientist, Educational Policy Institute We talk with people at campuses across the US about issues related to student retention and success. Over the years, we have worked with thousands of people and hundreds of institutions. Everyone, to the person, wants to see their retention, persistence, and graduation rates increase. Rarely do they succeed. If everyone is so driven … Continue reading So, You Want to Increase Student Retention?
Yelp for Higher Ed? Please No…
I just read an article in the Chronicle Vitae last week titled Why We Need a Yelp for Doctoral Programs, by Leonard Cassuto of Fordham University (December 19, 2019). His thesis is that prospective students and funders could benefit from a Yelp-like web directory of doctoral programs, complete with comments from students and alumnus about the quality of their graduate program. Cassuto argues (correctly) that … Continue reading Yelp for Higher Ed? Please No…
What I Want for Christmas
Santa, I don’t have a big list this year. I think I’ll keep it pretty simple, if you don’t mind? That way, when you come to my house, you don’t need to spend too much time. Enjoy the almond milk and the sugar-free cookies. You could use a little help with that waistline. In fact, I am completely okay with you phoning this one in, … Continue reading What I Want for Christmas
The Swail Letter on Higher Education 