Educational Strategy & Design Group

Our recent AI Pitch Fest was an insightful and fun way to connect with new colleagues and learn more about tools to facilitate learning and promote engagement! ?? I'm really looking forward to sharing more about American College of Healthcare Sciences' holistic approach to AI adoption at the WASC Senior College and University Commission ARC Conference next month. ?? Join me and Tiffany Rodriguez, Ph.D. for our presentation AI in Action: An Integrative Approach to Transforming Institutional Success if you'll be at the conference!

?? IS COLLEGE STILL WORTH IT? A BOLD VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION Rising costs, unclear career pathways, and shifting job market demands have led many to ask whether a college degree still pays off. ?? The Real Issue: Value, Access, and Completion Education must evolve—not just to open doors, but to ensure that walking through them leads to real opportunity. This is what Michelle Cooper, Courtney Brown, and Chauncy Lennon explain in a powerful short video introducing Lumina Foundation’s bold plan for 2040, focusing on what matters most: ? Credentials must have real value – They should lead to good jobs, financial security, and long-term success. Education must translate into economic mobility. ? Access for all – Cost, support, and admissions barriers keep many from pursuing college. Expanding access means removing obstacles, making enrollment more flexible, and prioritizing student needs over selectivity. ? Helping Students Finish – Many college systems were built for a different era. Outdated processes make it harder to stay enrolled and complete degrees on time. With today’s financial and social challenges, modernizing systems and support is an urgent priority. ? Redesigning Education for the Future – Small adjustments aren’t enough. We must rethink the fundamentals—affordability, public financing, and the economic value of credentials—while ensuring education supports strong communities and a thriving democracy. ?? THE GOAL: 75% BY 2040 Lumina’s new vision aims to ensure that 75% of adults in the U.S. labor force will have college degrees or other credentials of value leading to economic prosperity. ?? What do you think? How can we redesign education to ensure every credential has real value? Drop your thoughts below! ?? #HigherEd #FutureOfWork #EducationThatPaysOff #SkillsForTheFuture #CollegeDegrees #WorkforceDevelopment #EducationReform #EconomicMobility https://lnkd.in/g4axy94c

?? NEW DATA ALERT: FALL 2024 TRANSFER ENROLLMENT TRENDS! The National Student Clearinghouse's latest Transfer Enrollment and Pathways report reveals how student mobility is evolving in the wake of the pandemic. While overall transfers are rebounding, pathways remain uncertain—especially for community colleges. ?? Key Findings: ? Transfer is growing – Student transfers increased 4.4% from Fall 2023. ? Community colleges rebound – Transfers into community colleges have now surpassed Fall 2020 levels. ? Two-year to four-year transfers still lag – This pathway declined 3.5 percentage points from Fall 2020, showing a slow recovery. ? Diversity in mobility – Transfer enrollment rose among Black (+8.3%) and Hispanic (+4.4%) students, while White student transfers declined (-1.3%). ?? Explore the Data: For deeper insights, check out our new interactive dashboard, allowing users to track trends over five years, filter data across multiple parameters, and analyze disparities in post-pandemic recovery. ?? What trends are you seeing in transfer enrollment? How can institutions better support returning students? #HigherEd #StudentSuccess #TransferStudents #EducationData #CommunityColleges #HigherEducation #EquityInEducation #EdPolicy #CollegeAccess ??

??ARE COLLEGES MEETING THE NEEDS OF TODAY’S FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS? A new report—Understanding the Entering Class of 2024: Key Insights from The CIRP Freshman Survey—provides a critical look at how the demographics and needs of first-year students are evolving. READ BELOW! ?? Who Are Today’s First-Year Students? This year’s report—led by American Council on Education and UCLA Ed&IS, in collaboration with Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) and CRESST, UCLA—analyzes data from 24,367 incoming students to highlight the increasing diversity in: ?? Race & Ethnicity – Institutions are seeing a more racially and ethnically diverse student body. ?? Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation – LGBTQ+ students are a growing presence in higher education. ?? Socioeconomic Background – Low-income and first-generation students face unique challenges. ?? Language Diversity – 10% of students reported that English is not their primary language. ?? Military-Affiliated Students – 8% of respondents are balancing college with military service. ?? Key Insights for Higher Ed Leaders: ?? Financial Barriers Persist – 56.4% of students worry about affording college, with Hispanic/Latino (81.4%) and Black/African American (69.6%) students facing the greatest concerns. ?? College Choice Patterns Are Shifting – Asian/Pacific Islander students applied to more colleges but had lower first-choice admission rates. ?? Confidence Gaps Exist – Women outperformed men academically before college but reported lower confidence in math and intellectual abilities. ?? Mental Health Challenges Are Rising – 51.1% of women felt overwhelmed, twice the rate of men (24.1%), with non-binary students reporting even greater struggles. ?? Next Steps for Higher Ed Leaders As student needs evolve, institutions are exploring ways to improve access, inclusion, and well-being: ? Expanding financial aid and affordability initiatives to reduce barriers for underrepresented students. ? Strengthening mental health and well-being support with more accessible and inclusive resources. ? Rethinking orientation and first-year experience programs to foster belonging and confidence from day one. ? Enhancing academic advising and mentorship to bridge confidence gaps, especially in STEM fields. ? Using data-driven insights to shape policies that reflect the realities of today’s students. ?? Key Takeaway: The needs of first-year students are more complex than ever—institutions must adapt policies and programs to ensure all students have the support to thrive. #HigherEd #StudentSuccess #DiversityInEducation #MentalHealthMatters #EducationEquity #CollegeAffordability #HigherEdData

?? IS MANDATORY FAFSA THE KEY TO GREATER COLLEGE EQUITY? A new report from The Century Foundation—authored by Peter Granville, Jaime Ramirez-Mendoza, and Jaden Mikoulinskii, M.A.—reveals that mandatory FAFSA policies are driving up financial aid applications and college enrollment, particularly for low-income students. ?? Read the full report below! ?? Key Findings: ? Higher FAFSA Completion Rates – States with mandatory FAFSA policies have seen double-digit increases, particularly in underserved communities. ? More Pell Grants & College Enrollment – FAFSA mandates are linked to higher first-time undergraduate enrollment and greater financial aid uptake. ? Effective Support Models – States like California and Illinois have successfully helped students navigate the process, even with resource constraints. ?? Key Takeaway: Mandating FAFSA helps close information and access gaps, ensuring more students—especially from low-income backgrounds—can secure financial aid and pursue higher education opportunities. ?? Next Steps: ?? Policymakers – Expand mandatory FAFSA policies to drive educational equity. ?? Educators & Counselors – Provide structured FAFSA support to students and families. ?? Students & Families – Start FAFSA conversations early in high school to maximize opportunities. ?? What do you think? Is mandatory FAFSA a step toward greater equity in higher education? Let’s discuss in the comments! ?? #HigherEducation #FAFSA #CollegeAccess #EducationalEquity #StudentAid #FinancialAid

With AI tools flooding the market, the challenge for colleges and universities isn’t access—it’s identifying which ones genuinely enhance student learning, engagement, and critical thinking. Today, American College of Healthcare Sciences hosted our first-ever AI Pitch Fest! This Shark Tank-style event allowed ACHS faculty and staff to assess AI tools and determine which truly support student learning. The event was kicked off by Spotlight Speaker Mike Kentz, founder of AI Literacy Partners and a leading expert in #AI education. Mike's impactful presentation set the stage for a deeper conversation about AI’s role in meaningful learning. ACHS faculty and staff used a structured rubric—developed by Nick Potkalitsky, PhD (see link below) to evaluate each tool’s ability to facilitate learning, ensuring we're prioritizing tools that support student learning rather than tools that simply provide answers. Three AI vendors presented their tools for ACHS faculty and staff to assess, each offering unique solutions designed to enhance learning. Thank you to Lamar Grant and Jason Dodge with Packback, Vlad Marius Ster with LearnWise AI, and Chris Du with TimelyGrader! Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important conversation—this is just the beginning! https://lnkd.in/gN-xUPgh #AIinHigherEd #EdTech #HigherEducation #ArtificialIntelligence #AIforEducation #FutureofLearning #EdInnovation

With AI tools flooding the market, the challenge for colleges and universities isn’t access—it’s identifying which ones genuinely enhance student learning, engagement, and critical thinking. Today, American College of Healthcare Sciences hosted our first-ever AI Pitch Fest! This Shark Tank-style event allowed ACHS faculty and staff to assess AI tools and determine which truly support student learning. The event was kicked off by Spotlight Speaker Mike Kentz, founder of AI Literacy Partners and a leading expert in #AI education. Mike's impactful presentation set the stage for a deeper conversation about AI’s role in meaningful learning. ACHS faculty and staff used a structured rubric—developed by Nick Potkalitsky, PhD (see link below) to evaluate each tool’s ability to facilitate learning, ensuring we're prioritizing tools that support student learning rather than tools that simply provide answers. Three AI vendors presented their tools for ACHS faculty and staff to assess, each offering unique solutions designed to enhance learning. Thank you to Lamar Grant and Jason Dodge with Packback, Vlad Marius Ster with LearnWise AI, and Chris Du with TimelyGrader! Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important conversation—this is just the beginning! https://lnkd.in/gN-xUPgh #AIinHigherEd #EdTech #HigherEducation #ArtificialIntelligence #AIforEducation #FutureofLearning #EdInnovation

?? IS HIGHER ED’S RESEARCH RECOGNITION FINALLY MORE INCLUSIVE? A major shift in how universities are recognized for research is here. The Carnegie Foundation and ACE have overhauled the Carnegie Research Classifications, making the process clearer, more inclusive, and mission-driven. ?? Read below via Forbes ?? Key Updates: ?? Clearer R1 Criteria – No more confusing formulas! R1 institutions must have $50M+ in research spending and 70+ doctoral research degrees annually. ?? New Research College & University (RCU) Category – Recognizing non-doctoral institutions with $2.5M+ in research spending. ?? More R1 & R2 Institutions – Now 187 R1 (+41 from 2021) and 139 R2 institutions. ?? No More “Arms Race” – Institutions can focus on research impact rather than overspending to achieve R1 status. ?? Key Takeaway: By removing artificial competition and broadening research recognition, the new system allows institutions to focus on mission-driven research rather than chasing a status label. ?? Voices from Higher Ed: ?? Rich Koubek, President of Michigan Technological University: "By remaining true to the mission of Michigan Tech’s founding charter, we’ve joined the top tier of the nation’s research institutions while serving the needs of Michigan industry." ?? Grace Wang, President of Worcester Polytechnic Institute: "WPI’s research is expanding knowledge, enabling new solutions, and enriching the education of our students." ?? Timothy Knowles, President of the Carnegie Foundation: "We are expanding our recognition of the range of ways colleges and universities engage in research and development." ?? Ted Mitchell, President of American Council on Education: "Instead of limiting research designations to select Ph.D.-granting institutions, all types of colleges and universities will now be celebrated for their research contributions. That’s great news." ?? Next Steps: ?? Institutions should assess research activity under the new thresholds. ?? Colleges should focus on impactful research, not just status. ?? Look out for the 2025 Institutional Classification in April for broader categorization updates. ?? Is this the research recognition reform higher ed needed? Let’s discuss. ?? #HigherEd #CarnegieClassification #ResearchUniversities #EducationReform #InstitutionalResearch #AcademicExcellence

?? Higher Education in the U.S.: Signs of Progress Amid Uncertainty ?? In a time of turbulence and skepticism, Eileen Strempel and Stephen J. Handel highlight a different perspective in a Times Higher Education article: there’s good news in U.S. higher education if you look for it. Despite challenges, key indicators show that access, affordability, and outcomes are improving—and that’s something worth recognizing. ?? ?? Key Insights: ? College applications are rising—especially among historically underrepresented groups (+11%). Re-enrollment of adults with some college but no degree is also up 9%. ? Total enrollment increased by 2.9%, with community colleges rebounding to pre-pandemic levels (+4.7%). ? Student mental health is improving for the second consecutive year, suggesting recovery from the pandemic's impact. ? Employability is strong—apprenticeships are in high demand, and three-year degrees are gaining traction as a faster, more affordable path to graduation. ? State funding for higher education surged by 10.2%, reinforcing the role of colleges as economic drivers. ? The real cost of college has decreased when adjusted for inflation, challenging the narrative that college is no longer worth it. ? The “free college” movement is expanding, with Michigan and Massachusetts joining over 30 states in tuition-free programs. ? Guided pathways & short-term Pell programs are helping more students complete degrees and secure job-ready credentials. ? Higher ed philanthropy grew by 12.5%, reaching $60 billion—major donations, like the $1B gift to Johns Hopkins Medical School, are making medical training free for all students. ?? Key Takeaway: Higher education is evolving in response to today’s challenges. More students are returning, costs are stabilizing, alternative pathways are emerging, and funding is growing. While there’s still work to do, these trends signal renewed confidence in education as a vehicle for social and economic mobility. ?? ?? Next Steps: ?? Expand awareness of re-enrollment programs for adults with some college but no degree. ?? Invest in apprenticeships & short-term credentials to bridge the gap between education and workforce needs. ?? Strengthen mental health & student support services to sustain positive trends. ?? Leverage AI & policy changes to streamline credit transfers and improve affordability. Higher education remains one of the most powerful tools for opportunity. What changes do you think are making the biggest impact? Let’s discuss. ?? ?? Read Below: #HigherEd #StudentSuccess #CollegeAffordability #WorkforceDevelopment #EducationForAll #FutureOfWork

?? The Hidden Cost of an Outdated Standard: It's Time to Rethink the 4-Year Degree. Did you know that the 120-credit hour requirement for a bachelor’s degree—a cornerstone of American higher education—was originally designed not as an educational benchmark, but to determine pension eligibility for instructors back in 1906? ?? This standard, known as the Carnegie Unit, not only paved the way for pensions but also evolved into a mechanism for improving administrative efficiency in schools and colleges. Unfortunately, it has since become an all-or-nothing system, leaving students who fall short of 120 credits with significant debt but no degree—a credential gap affecting 37 million Americans today. Timothy Knowles, President of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, highlights in a recent opinion article in U.S. News & World Report that this time-based model is failing our students. ?? Key Insights: - 37 million Americans?have some college experience but no degree, burdened by the cost of education without credentials. - The?average cost?per credit hour is?$850?at public institutions and?$1,455?at private ones, making 120 credits financially overwhelming for many. - Other countries, such as the UK and Europe, have adapted their systems, offering bachelor's degrees in?three years?with just?90 credits, emphasizing essential skills. - Innovative alternatives like?micro-degrees,?stackable credentials, and?credit for work-based experience?could provide students with meaningful qualifications without facing an all-or-nothing system. ?? Key Takeaway: The 120-credit model was never meant to define learning, yet it now dictates who succeeds and who is left behind. By rethinking degree structures and moving away from outdated credit-hour requirements, we can make higher education more accessible, affordable, and relevant to modern workforce needs. ?? Next Steps: -Higher ed leaders and policymakers should evaluate if?120 credits?are truly necessary for every field. -Employers should consider?alternative credentials?and?skills-based hiring?instead of relying solely on degrees. -Students should explore?short-term, industry-recognized programs that provide career pathways without the burden of full-degree debt. Higher education should open doors, not close them. It’s time to rethink what truly defines learning. ?? What do you think? Should we move beyond the four-year degree as the default standard? Let’s discuss! #HigherEd #StudentDebt #EducationReform #LifelongLearning #FutureOfWork #SkillsBasedHiring