Originally posted in the Indianapolis Business Journal
Predicting the future is never easy.
However we can make some educated guesses on what the Higher Education space will see and have to do to stay competitive in 2023.
Lige Hensley, cofounder and CEO of Invoke Learning and former Chief Technology Officer at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, shares his expert insights on the evolving landscape of higher education. With InvokeLearning now processing over a trillion rows of educational data daily, Hensley offers a unique perspective on how institutions can navigate post-pandemic challenges and opportunities. Based on the Podcast, The Higher Edge's, Episode.
The Rise of Non-Traditional Students
Non-traditional students now make up nearly 75% of the 20 million students enrolled in post-secondary education, with 59% working full-time. The pandemic has accelerated a shift to online learning, creating a new "hybrid phase" that appears to be permanent. Students who were once forced into online education during COVID-19 are increasingly choosing to remain in digital learning environments even as in-person options return.
Differentiating Online Education
With online learning now mainstream, institutions face the challenge of standing out in a digital environment where many learning management systems look nearly identical. This is particularly important when considering how today's students consume information differently than previous generations, preferring interactive engagement over passive consumption.
Enrollment Trends: Signs of Recovery
After significant enrollment declines across many institutions, with some experiencing drops of over 40% from pre-pandemic levels, there are now signs of recovery. Several colleges and universities are reporting increases in enrollment, suggesting the bottom may have been reached:
- Bakersfield College - up 11%
- Illinois Public Universities - freshman enrollment up 5%
- University of Arkansas - up 8.3% overall
- University of Arkansas - first-year enrollment up by a record 17.1%
- Cal Poly Humboldt - first-time undergraduate applications up 86%
The Data Revolution in Higher Education
Six key areas are emerging as crucial for higher education data strategy: data management and governance, unifying data sources, modern data architecture, data literacy training, DEI for data and analytics, and improving institutional data capabilities. Institutions are increasingly recognizing that effective data utilization is critical for future success.
AI Analytics: Finding Meaningful Patterns
AI analytics represents a significant opportunity for education, helping institutions analyze vast amounts of data from various sources to surface meaningful insights. This approach can identify patterns in student behavior that correlate with academic success, such as the frequency of grade checking being associated with better performance. AI doesn't replace human decision-making but rather narrows down research parameters to those most influential.
Student Loan Forgiveness and Degree Completion
Student loan forgiveness programs may create opportunities for students who stopped out before completing their degrees. The practical implication is that debt relief could enable more students to return and complete their education, especially those who were close to finishing before financial obstacles intervened.
Looking Forward: Embrace Data-Driven Approaches & Adapt
As higher education continues to evolve, institutions must embrace data-driven approaches, adapt to changing student behaviors, and leverage new technologies to differentiate themselves and support student success. The institutions that thrive will be those that can meet students where they are with flexible, responsive, and personalized educational experiences.
