Category: Article Archives

John W. Dysart President The Dysart Group Financial aid is an extremely important element of any enrollment management plan.  As inflation continues, federal and state aid stagnates and institutions witness downward enrollment trends, it’s safe to say that well designed institutional aid programs and targeted award policies will be instrumental to enrollment success. Most higher education administrators, including presidents and chief financial officers, are not well-versed in the details of financial aid.  It is difficult for many to even determine whether they have problems with their financial aid operations.  The following are some signs that might indicate issues with the […]

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Dr. Katelyn Sanders Director of Admission & Alumni Affairs Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy Shenandoah University Dr. Scott D. Miller President Virginia Wesleyan University When you think about your time at college, what comes to mind? Most likely, it’s not the process of applying for financial aid, scheduling classes, or taking tests.  Although these aspects of the college experience tend to occur no matter which institution you attend, they’re not necessarily memorable.  In other words, they’re not what we think of most fondly when we look back on “our college years.” Instead, what you probably remember are the friends […]

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Dr. Katelyn Sanders Director of Admission & Alumni Affairs Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy Shenandoah University Dr. Scott D. Miller President Virginia Wesleyan University Let’s say you’ve spoken with a prospective student for your institution. You’ve sent them materials and answered their questions, pointed out how your institution aligns with their goals and values, and helped them understand what financial aid options they have available. In your mind, you’ve done all you can to convince them that yours is the college or university that best suits their needs… yet they ultimately inform you that they’ve decided to enroll somewhere […]

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Christopher Burnley Senior Consultant The Dysart Group Most people’s natural instinct is to trust that others are doing what they say they are doing. Most employees desire to work for an organization, and a leader, who trusts them to do their job in the best way possible. Employees will often become upset if they feel that their leaders don’t trust them to do their job. In higher education, the faculty may also express their concerns about administrative leaders who don’t seem to trust their employees. Unfortunately, we have experienced many examples of Admissions and Financial Aid teams that simply were […]

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Dr. Katelyn Sanders Director of Admission & Alumni Affairs Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy Shenandoah University Dr. Scott D. Miller President Virginia Wesleyan University As higher education’s long-anticipated undergraduate enrollment cliff approaches, a parallel reality is also coming into focus: non-traditional students are attending college with increasing frequency. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, graduate student enrollment was up 3% nationwide in Spring 2024 compared to the prior year, which is an even higher rate than the undergraduate enrollment gain of 2.5% over the same period. This data is great news for admissions departments who are equipped […]

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John W. Dysart President The Dysart Group Selecting the right individual to lead enrollment management at your institution is a critical decision.  It helps to understand the important considerations when making a hiring decision for this vital position Experience Matters Obviously, it is always preferable to select a candidate with experience.  Experience, by itself, is preferable.  The type of experience matters as well. An individual who previously held the same or similar title is good. An individual who seeks to move up from a lesser position, such as a Director of Admission, can be just as valuable. Many leaders focus […]

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Dr. Katelyn Sanders Director of Admission & Alumni Affairs Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy Shenandoah University Dr. Scott D. Miller President Virginia Wesleyan University   How do prospective students really decide on which college to attend?  While the quality of your curriculum, the prestige of your faculty, and the affordability of your tuition are all undoubtedly influential, one of the most important decision-making factors when it comes to selecting a college is also one of the most intangible:  the unique spirit of a school’s values and culture. Studies have shown that Gen Z sees their emotional well-being as a […]

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Dr. Katelyn Sanders Director of Admission & Alumni Affairs Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy Shenandoah University Dr. Scott D. Miller President Virginia Wesleyan University Active and engaged alumni are a vital component of any college’s long-term success. But while alumni support is obviously crucial in areas like philanthropy and public relations, there’s one important opportunity that many higher education institutions overlook: the potentially electric connection between alumni and admissions. Your alumni — especially recent graduates — are better equipped than almost anyone else to tell prospective students what makes your school so special. Their experience, perspective, and passion can […]

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