SMMA’s Post

Our students' journeys are nothing short of inspiring. Check out first-year student, Zuri N.'s, story to see why our students choose our program, and how philanthropy sets us apart. #TransformingTomorrow #WomeninConstruction #WeCanDoThat

Now that US News & World Reports no longer includes alumni participation as a factor in calculating its rankings of colleges and universities, how should your institution respond? Shift your focus? Stay the course? Change your messaging? Join this upcoming free BWF webinar on August 29 to learn more about what the research tells us, what your peers are doing, what opportunities may await you--and to participate in the conversation. #alumniengagement #alumnirelations #annualgiving #fundraising #usnews #rankings #collegesanduniversities #participation #giving

I so appreciate Jane Roberts for sharing both the challenges Christian Brothers University is facing, but also the intentional and student-centered ways we are addressing them. It is no secret that higher ed is experiencing unparalleled upheaval. The population of traditional-aged students is declining and the value of college is debated. At CBU, we see this as an opportunity to reimagine #lasallian education. How can we continue to prepare our students (and as you can see from the article, we embrace learners from multiple countries, cultures, age groups, and modalities of learning) for successful careers and lives full of meaning and impact? Still not convinced that CBU adds value to the lives of our students, to Memphis and to our world? Check out this tool for determining the return on investment of schools. The authors calculate a Price-to-Earnings Premium (PEP) to get a sense of the amount of time it usually takes to recoup the cost of obtaining a credential at a particular school. https://lnkd.in/g7394DAM In Tennessee, CBU ranks #2, right behind Vanderbilt University, for the shortest time to recoup net cost - 1.8 years. With the innovative and future-oriented new degrees we are offering this year (including mechatronics and drone engineering), we are poised to be number 1! As I said in the article, a Lasallian education is a practical education. It is also one that encourages our students to #entertolearn and #leavetoserve. In everything we do, we recognize that we are in God's holy presence. All we do is for His glory!

This week's TOP-bottom report is brought to you by the states of North Carolina and South Carolina. We look at the 55 private, non-profit regional colleges in these two states. Use the TOP-bottom report to draw your own conclusions. If you are student and their families, be prepared to ask tough questions for those NC and SC colleges that are consistently on the 'bottom' lists. Here are some questions you can ask. 1. Why has your enrollment been decreasing the past 8 reported years? 2. Why is your 4-year graduation rate below 50%? 3. Your endowment per student is lower than many other colleges. Why is that? 4. How can you stay open when your tuition and fee revenue continues to decrease? https://lnkd.in/gDVc5UdY #collegeviability #collegeadmissions #willmycollegeclose #collegeclosures The EdUp Experience

This week's TOP-bottom report is brought to you by the states of North Carolina and South Carolina. We look at the 55 private, non-profit regional colleges in these two states. Use the TOP-bottom report to draw your own conclusions. If you are student and their families, be prepared to ask tough questions for those NC and SC colleges that are consistently on the 'bottom' lists. Here are some questions you can ask. 1. Why has your enrollment been decreasing the past 8 reported years? 2. Why is your 4-year graduation rate below 50%? 3. Your endowment per student is lower than many other colleges. Why is that? 4. How can you stay open when your tuition and fee revenue continues to decrease? https://lnkd.in/gZqs2uJy #collegeviability #collegeadmissions #willmycollegeclose #collegeclosures

An interesting case study by our Advocate Partners, The Forum on Education Abroad and EF Study Abroad. Take a moment to read more. #AdvocatePartners #Leadership #IntlEd #EducationAbroad #StudyAbroad

The Forum on Education Abroad did a case study on the Future Nobel Laureates Program. Check it out! My favorite takeaway was "Even experienced professionals and organizations need to update and re-evaluate their policies from time to time (5.1.2). Having strong, clear policies in place is a foundation for strong relationships and clear expectations between partner organizations and between program faculty/staff and program participants." Also, applications are now open for this awesome international scholarship! (see post below)

I cannot say enough good things about the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, the The University of Texas at Austin CONNECT program and staff (Alyssa Studer)! I've had the honor of working with the uber-talented Rania Sohail in developing an exciting project for Social Venture Partners Austin. We've just kicked off the second phase and I can't wait to share more! If your organization has a research, data or program evaluation challenge, check out the info session listed below to see how the CONNECT program might help.

The #FGCU Foundation campaign is soaring to new heights! Check out how we're turning ideas into impact in the #FGCU360 article below. 🦅🌴 #scholarship #wingsup #goeagles

Check out this wonderful resource for #nsf #grfp #fellowship advice and support.