Once upon a time, a higher education-focused ed tech company set out to evolve its enterprise reporting solution, shifting from web viewing to web doing… Did that opening give you flashbacks to childhood story time? Do you remember snuggling in bed or gathering around a chair to listen? Storytelling has long been one of the most powerful ways to communicate ideas and, in this week’s issue, we explore how you can use storytelling to make complex IT concepts more accessible for your audience. From there, we look at new data on the growing transfer student population before closing with a discussion on the Lumina Foundation’s new educational goal.  

After reading today’s issue, use the comments section to tell us how you have used storytelling on your campus to help explain a complex idea. 

The Importance of Storytelling 

From Start with Storytelling: A Masterclass | EDUCAUSE Review  

Storytelling is an essential skill for higher education professionals, enabling them to connect with colleagues, make complex ideas more accessible, and drive meaningful conversation. In this episode, we explore the art of narrative storytelling techniques adapted expressly for IT professionals.   

Our Thoughts 

Stories are an essential part of human communication and have been a vehicle for transmitting knowledge for tens of thousands of years. Earlier in my career, when I led teams, I always encouraged them to use storytelling to frame the data and information they presented. This approach helped their audience connect with the key points and better understand the message.  

Although it is a podcast rather than an article, I really enjoyed this discussion. Given the increasingly complex challenges in higher education, the ability to communicate effectively through storytelling is not just useful but essential. The discussion highlighted how storytelling can transform abstract information and data into compelling narratives, making it easier for stakeholders to engage with and relate to the message.  

Perhaps more importantly, the guests emphasized the importance of shifting the narrative focus from the institution to the audience, whether they be students, faculty, staff, or community members. By centering their experiences, institutions can help these groups see themselves in the story and better understand their role in the broader mission. Student-centered storytelling is becoming increasingly important for demonstrating institutional value and relevance.  

The podcast ultimately reinforces the importance of storytelling in higher education. Strong narratives help institutions communicate their goals clearly, build meaningful connections, and inspire collective action. 

Transfer Enrollment Increases 

From Transfer Enrollments Continue to Rise | Inside Higher Ed  

Transfer enrollments increased by 4.5% this fall, continuing two straight years of recovery.    

Our Thoughts 

As we approach the demographic cliff, institutions that have historically relied on high school graduates enrolling immediately in college will need to diversify their enrollment strategies. As a former transfer student myself (apologies for the retention rate hit, UNC Wilmington!), I understand firsthand the challenges transfer students face when moving to a new institution. This experience shaped my early career as an advisor, where I regularly found myself advocating for transfer students navigating complex institutional policies.  

Transfer student outcomes are abysmal. Less than half of community college students who transfer to a four-year institution earn a degree. Additionally, more than a third of transfer students report struggling with the process, and a quarter say they were able to transfer few or none of their credits. This cycle contributes to the growing number of adults with Some College, No Credential, which has now reached nearly 37 million.  

As students seek more affordable, flexible, and career-aligned options, many will move through multiple educational pathways to reach their goals. Institutions that fail to streamline transfer processes risk losing these students, while those that invest in articulation agreements, dedicated transfer advising, and financial incentives will create a more sustainable enrollment strategy. Additionally, the rise in returning transfer students suggests that institutions should also prioritize re-engagement strategies to support students who left college before earning a credential. Ultimately, institutions that embrace transfer-friendly policies will not only boost enrollment but also fulfill their mission of expanding access to higher education and improving student success. 

Credentials of Value 

From Lumina Releases New Long-Term Goal and Strategic Plan for Higher Education | Diverse Issues in Higher Education 

The Lumina Foundation sets a new goal for 2040: 75% of adults will have a “credential of value” that leads to increased economic prosperity.  

Our Thoughts  

Although the Lumina Foundation did not meet its goal of having 60% of adults earn some form of postsecondary credential by 2025, I applaud their efforts. While I don’t believe a four-year college degree is for everyone, I do think that earning some form of postsecondary credential is essential for building a strong economic foundation.  

The Lumina Foundation’s new goal reflects a recognition that simply increasing access to education is not enough. The focus has shifted to ensuring that credentials lead to measurable financial and career benefits, rather than just degree attainment. Given ongoing concerns about the value of higher education, this goal directly responds to shifting public sentiment and economic realities. For higher education institutions, this underscores the growing pressure to align degree programs with labor market needs and demonstrate a clear return on investment.  

The article also raises important questions about how institutions, particularly community colleges and workforce training programs, should navigate funding uncertainties while working toward this ambitious goal. Without intentional program design and ongoing evaluation, institutions risk creating credentials that fail to translate into meaningful career opportunities. The shift from simply tracking credential completion to measuring graduates’ economic prosperity signals a growing expectation that institutions must do more than just confer degrees. They must also ensure that graduates succeed in the workforce. This challenge pushes institutions to rethink program design, strengthen employer partnerships, and enhance student support structures to foster not just degree completion but long-term economic stability.