The beginning of October means that higher education conference season is well underway in the new academic year. I always looked forward to attending conferences and hearing so many good ideas from colleagues at other institutions that I could take back to my own campus. In that spirit, today’s issue begins with some insights from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) annual conference on how to welcome more transfer students to your institution. After that, we look at the continuing rise of microcredentials and some challenges with its implementation.  

After reading today’s issue, use the comments section to let us know if your institution has plans to start or expand their microcredential program. 

Welcoming Transfer Students 

From What makes a college welcoming to transfer students? | Higher Ed Dive  

Judy Johnson, assistant director of admissions and transfer at the Minnesota Private College Council, discusses ways for institutions to be more transfer friendly.   

Our Thoughts 

For many institutions, transfer students are quickly becoming an important demographic in addressing enrollment challenges. However, transfer students often face systemic barriers, such as course availability or financial aid delays, that institutions can mitigate with intentional policies. In her session at the NACAC annual conference, Johnson underscored the need for administrative reforms and cross-campus collaboration to ensure transfer student success.  

As part of this, Johnson discusses the important role that faculty can play in supporting transfer students. Often, institutions invest significant time and resources into connecting traditional undergraduates with faculty during the admissions and orientation process. However, this is often not extended to transfer students. Making small changes to ensure transfer students receive as much attention as traditional undergraduates can go a long way in improving transfer student outcomes. 

More Students Pursue Microcredentials 

From The Microcredential Generation | Inside Higher Ed    

In this longform article, Sara Weissman examines the increases in traditionally aged students pursuing microcredentials over a four-year degree and why so many are choosing this path.   

Our Thoughts 

We’ve previously covered microcredentials, but this article dives much deeper into the reasons why students are considering microcredentials over a traditional four-year degree. I expect microcredentials to continue growing as students increasingly seek faster, more affordable paths to careers. As enrollment continues to decline, it’s crucial that we understand the broader implications of this shift and how institutions can adapt by offering stackable credentials that blend seamlessly with degree programs.  

If you’re unfamiliar with the world of microcredentials, I encourage you to spend some time with the article. You’ll quickly see the sheer diversity of programs, from logging to software engineering. Each of these programs was designed by an institution to meet specific, regional labor market needs. This approach not only addresses workforce demands but also provides students with targeted skills that can lead to immediate job opportunities, making microcredentials an increasingly valuable option in today’s education landscape. 

The Challenge with Microcredentials 

From Addressing the Real Challenges of Microcredentials | On EdTech  

Glenda Morgan dives deep into the challenges many institutions face when attempting to launch and maintain microcredential programs.   

Our Thoughts  

I often enjoy the On EdTech blog posts because they discuss new initiatives in higher education while also addressing the challenges of implementing them. This post follows that trend as it takes a hard look at the growing demand for microcredentials, which I discussed above. As institutions consider implementing microcredentials, they often face real hurdles such as technology integration and establishing a scalable business model.   

Morgan does a wonderful job revealing the gap between the excitement surrounding microcredentials and the practical obstacles colleges must overcome to expand these offerings. She encourages a shift from theoretical discussions to actionable solutions and urges institutions to collaborate with the ed tech industry to address these challenges. Anyone who has worked with our Client Experience Team, Professional Services, or Support teams knows we like digging into and solving problems. So, if your institution wants to collaborate, let us know!