Picture the northeastern United States. New York sits on top of Pennsylvania with New Jersey to the east. Now, imagine if I told you that almost the entire population of those states combined had gone to college, earned some credits, but had nothing to show for it. No degrees. No certificates. Just some credits and probably some student loan debt. That’s about the number of people in the U.S. who have Some College, No Credential. In this week’s issue we discuss some strategies for helping those students before looking at one state’s plan to improve the transfer pathway. Finally, we’ll close with some AI education strategies and parental concerns about colleges.  

After reading today’s issue, use the comments section to let us know how your institution has improved your transfer student pathways. 

Strategies for Re-engagement 

From Three strategic actions to help students return to college | Inside Higher Ed   

The Institute for Higher Education Policy offers institutions three ideas for helping students with Some College, No Credential re-enroll.   

Our Thoughts 

In previous issues, we’ve discussed the challenges of the over 40 million people who have earned some college credit but have not completed any type of postsecondary credential with those credits. Unfortunately, without action from institutions, this number will only continue to increase. That’s why I enjoyed this article, as it provided actionable implementation strategies for institutions to encourage re-enrollment and completion.   

The detailed recommendations cover three areas, plus a five-step DIY approach, providing campus leaders with tangible next steps to support these returning students. I especially appreciated the focus on creating a supportive and inclusive environment. It is a reminder that higher education is not just about academic achievement but also about fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among all students. With the demographic cliff fast approaching, helping these students succeed not only closes the attainment gap, but could also provide your institution with a needed enrollment boost.  

Improving Transfer Pathways 

From N.C.’s college credit transfer pathway highlights national push | University Business   

North Carolina has a new transfer portal to smooth transfer pathways, which may be a model for other states.    

Our Thoughts 

While this article features the transfer portal in North Carolina, it’s still an important read for anyone interested in improving their transfer student experience or increasing their transfer student population. This initiative directly addresses common barriers such as credit loss and lack of guidance, which often prevent students from completing their degrees. By making the transfer credit process more transparent and accessible, they also help to boost degree attainment in their state, especially for low-income students and students with Some College, No Credential.  

As someone who worked with transfer students in various roles for almost twenty years, I’m excited to see the outcomes of the portal for North Carolina institutions and transfer students. Too often, students find themselves stuck on a five-year plan for a four-year degree due to a lack of transparent transfer policies. Hopefully, this model finds success and leads to widespread improvements in higher education transfer policies across the U.S.  

AI Education Strategies 

From 6 Strategies for Educating the AI Workforce | EdTech Magazine  

Paul Jonas, a technical director at Wichita State University, offers six ideas for how institutions can better prepare students for a future with AI.  

Our Thoughts  

While there are still some discussions about the long-term feasibility of AI (e.g., costs, power consumption), institutions should continue their work in determining how to best integrate it into their curriculum. Since most students attend postsecondary education for career advancement, it is important that we adequately prepare them for a workforce that uses AI. This article outlines strategies that emphasize the technical aspects of AI while also addressing broader implications, including legal, ethical, and societal considerations. This holistic approach is critical in ensuring that students can navigate the complex challenges that AI presents in the real world.  

Additionally, I found the call to integrate AI education into existing degree programs (versus creating standalone programs) particularly compelling. This approach ensures that students across various disciplines can benefit from AI training, making them versatile and better equipped to apply AI in diverse fields. Furthermore, the emphasis on addressing AI’s limitations and biases is crucial in cultivating a generation of AI professionals who are both innovative and conscientious. 

Costs Top List of Parental Concerns 

From Parents value clear communication about college cost: survey | Inside Higher Ed  

According to a new study from EAB, parents are most concerned about debt and costs when deciding where their child should attend college.   

Our Thoughts

Given the challenges with the FAFSA this year, it’s probably unsurprising that affordability is top of mind for many parents as they consider which postsecondary institution their child will attend this fall. This study further emphasizes the work that institutions must do to better inform prospective students and their families about the true cost of college. Given the low levels of public confidence in higher education, institutions need to better address their financial concerns directly and more effectively.   

Yes, I recognize that this may make some institutions uncomfortable as, historically, we have shied away from discussing costs. Instead, we prefer to focus on mission, fit, and value. However, since both parents and students identified affordability as the most important factor in their decision-making, addressing this transparently could ease concerns. This approach could ultimately lead to better enrollment outcomes and greater satisfaction with the college experience.