Keys to Launching New College Programs that Build Enrollment
Release Date: 01/28/2025
How Utah State Is Using a Connected Campus to Boost Student Engagement and Persistence
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Digital transformation in higher education often focuses on technology. But for Utah State University, the transformation has been about outcomes: improving retention, strengthening equity, and building scalable systems of support without overhauling infrastructure. In this episode of the , speaks with , about how the institution designed and implemented a connected campus strategy that integrates advising, communications, and academic support into a single mobile-first platform. Drawing on her decades of experience in higher ed and edtech leadership, Eborn shares how USU replaced...
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Strategies to Help Adult Learners Re-Enroll and Graduate
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How Cross-Sector Partnerships Help Adult Learners Return, Persist, and Complete Degrees With over 41 million adults in the U.S. holding some college credit but no degree, colleges and universities are under pressure to implement effective adult learner enrollment strategies. In this episode of the , Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with about how institutions can re-engage students who have stopped out through cross-sector partnerships that support enrollment, retention, and degree completion. Drawing on their real-world experience in higher education and workforce development, McNaughton and...
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High Structure Course Design for Student Engagement, Retention, and Success
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Higher education leaders are searching for better ways to engage students, improve retention, and close equity gaps—especially in the wake of COVID-related learning disruptions. In this episode of the podcast, speaks with , Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Teaching Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. They discuss Dr. Shaffer’s book, , which offers a proven framework for transforming student outcomes. High structure course design—built on clarity, repetition, feedback, and engagement—originated in STEM education but is now...
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Shared Services and Consolidation Strategies for Small Colleges
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Shared services and consolidation strategies are helping struggling small colleges stabilize operations, reduce costs, and pursue sustainable growth—without compromising institutional identity or student outcomes. In this episode of the , host speaks with , about how these approaches are being used to help small colleges strengthen efficiency and financial sustainability. Drawing on his experience helping small colleges modernize their operations through cloud-based student information systems, Duggan explores how shared services, academic partnerships, and digital transformation are...
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Adding Leadership Development to Academic Curriculum Design in Higher Ed
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While higher education leaders often cite leadership development as a priority, few institutions treat it as a teachable, measurable skill. In this episode of , host speaks with about why leadership education should be integrated into the academic curriculum—and how institutions can implement it effectively. President Emeritus of Tulane University, Cowen shares insights from leading the university through Hurricane Katrina and from his new book, Lead and Succeed, which outlines strategies to develop leadership skills in students and early-career professionals. He dispels the “born...
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When DEI Is Off the Table: How Higher Ed Leaders Can Still Drive Institutional Change
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Higher education’s approach to DEI is under fire—from political pressure, public skepticism, and internal fatigue. But abandoning DEI isn’t the only option. In this episode of , Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with about how higher ed institutions can continue to drive inclusive institutional change—without relying on traditional DEI frameworks that may no longer be viable. Sturm, author of What Might Be: Confronting Racism to Transform Our Institutions, reframes DEI as a long-term, systems-level strategy rooted in leadership, trust, and organizational learning. She introduces the concept...
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Aligning Higher Ed with Workforce Needs and Nontraditional Learners
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Higher education is facing a growing disconnect between traditional academic pathways and the needs of today’s learners and employers. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Kathleen deLaski, founder of Education Design Lab and author of Who Needs College Anymore?, about how institutions can realign academic programs to better serve nontraditional students and meet workforce demands. Drawing from her experience supporting over 1,200 colleges and regional systems, deLaski explores how modular credentials, skills-based learning, and short-term...
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Confronting the Storm: Resistance to Change and Current Attacks on Higher Education
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Higher education faces increasing external pressures and diminishing public trust—creating an urgent need for institutional adaptation. In this episode of the , speaks with , former president of Macalister College and author of "," about why resistance to change has made colleges and universities particularly vulnerable to current attacks. Drawing on his 17 years of presidential experience and current perspective as a Harvard visiting professor, Rosenberg analyzes the economic, political, and structural factors undermining public confidence in higher education while offering candid...
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Strategic Affiliation in Higher Education: What Colleges Can Learn from The Colleges of Law and TCS Education System
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Strategic affiliation in higher education offers an alternative path for institutional sustainability—one that maintains mission and autonomy while accessing shared infrastructure and support. In this episode of the podcast, speaks with about his institution’s affiliation with The Community Solution Education System (TCS) and what other leaders should know before pursuing similar strategies. Drawing on his experience as both a college president and former system executive, Nehmer shares how the affiliation was structured, how accreditation and compliance were handled, and what shared...
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Higher Education Strategic Planning That Drives Growth and Faculty Buy-In
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isn't just about setting goals—it's about building the kind of stakeholder engagement and leadership alignment that can drive lasting institutional change. In this episode of , speaks with , President of the College of Charleston, about how a collaborative planning process helped increase enrollment, launch new academic schools, and move the college toward national university status. Drawing on his background in both industry and higher education, Dr. Hsu shares insights into balancing urgency with collaboration, the importance of faculty engagement, and the realities of leading strategic...
info_outlineCreating new colleges, new college programs, and growing enrollment is not an easy task in our current academic environment. Building enrollment for a brand-new academic program is one of higher education's toughest challenges. Yet, the University of Oklahoma's Polytechnic Institute (UOPI) successfully recruited its first class by flipping the traditional mindset. Instead of expecting students to be "college ready," they designed their programs to be "student ready."
In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Teri Reed, inaugural director of the University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute at OU Tulsa and veteran creator of innovative engineering education programs, shares insights on launching new academic programs and colleges, revealing how strategic partnerships with Google and local community colleges helped launch new degrees that attract students to high-demand fields like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Podcast Overview
Industry-Driven Program Design
- Extensive consultation with industry partners identified skills gaps, particularly in applied technical fields.
- Curriculum development focused on producing "industry ready" graduates.
- Programs include cybersecurity, applied artificial intelligence, and software development integration.
- Industry certifications embedded within courses to enhance graduate employability.
Strategic Faculty Recruitment and Structure
- Innovative group interview process to ensure a collaborative mindset.
- Faculty hired across disciplines to prevent silos.
- Over 200 years of combined industry experience among 10 faculty members.
- Integration of industry professionals as university affiliates (including a current Google employee).
Continuous Improvement: Curriculum Agility and Innovation
- Annual curriculum reviews and updates based on industry feedback.
- Willingness to modify programs multiple times per year to stay current.
- Two faculty "owners" per course to encourage collaboration and innovation.
- Focus on cross-disciplinary integration rather than traditional departmental structures.
Strategic Partnerships
- Close collaboration with local community colleges for seamless transfers.
- The "Intentional swirling" approach allows students to progress while completing associate degrees.
- Industry partnerships inform curriculum and provide real-world expertise.
- Marketing and communication strategies to build program awareness.
Creating Programs Focused on Student Success
- "Student ready" philosophy rather than the traditional "college ready" approach.
- Emphasis on meeting students where they are academically.
- Focus on reducing time-to-degree completion.
- Integration of industry certifications within coursework.
Three Takeaways for University Presidents and Boards
- Listen broadly, especially to stakeholders who don't typically feel heard.
- Be bold in creating unique programs that differ from traditional approaches.
- Embrace opportunities in the high-tech world and move quickly to implement changes.
Bonus Takeaway from Dr. McNaughton
- Hire faculty and staff who embrace change and are willing to continuously update curriculum based on industry needs.
Wrapping Up
This case study of the OU Polytechnic Institute provides valuable insights for higher education leaders looking to develop new programs that build enrollment and meet industry needs while maintaining academic rigor and ensuring student success.
#HigherEducation #HigherEdEnrollment #HigherEducationPodcast
Read the show transcript on our website: https://changinghighered.com/launching-new-college-programs-that-build-enrollment/
About Our Podcast Guest
Teri K. Reed, Ph.D., is the inaugural director of the OU Polytechnic Institute at OU-Tulsa.
An OU alumna, internationally recognized leader in the field of engineering education, and advocate for research-informed approaches to engineering education and administration, Reed has made significant contributions to higher education nationally. She helped establish the scholarly foundation for engineering education as an academic discipline through co-authorship of several landmark 2006 Journal of Engineering Education’s special reports.
She serves as an executive board member and fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education, and she is a former president of the Women in Engineering ProActive Network. She is the recipient of many accolades that recognize her teaching and leadership abilities, including two awards from the University of Oklahoma: the Distinguished Service Award from the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy, and selection as one of the inaugural recipients of the OU Regents’ Alumni Award.
Connect with Teri Reed on LinkedIn →
About the Host
Dr. Drumm McNaughton is the founder, CEO, and Principal Consultant at The Change Leader, Inc. A highly sought-after higher education consultant with 20+ years of experience, Dr. McNaughton works with leadership, management, and boards of U.S. and international institutions. His expertise spans key areas, including accreditation, governance, strategic planning, presidential onboarding, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances. Dr. McNaughton’s approach combines a holistic methodology with a deep understanding of the contemporary and evolving challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide to ensure his clients succeed in their mission.