By Scott Smith - EvoLLLution. 1. What was the impetus for AT&T to become involved in developing the nanodegree program with Udacity?
AT&T developed the nanodegreeprogram with Udacity because of its great potential to help our employees build skills in critical software disciplines — and to also widen the pipeline of applicants skilled in key technologies. More...

By David R. Cillay - EvoLLLution. 1. How do the factors that go into determining pricing for online programs differ from those that determine on-campus tuition?
For us, at Washington State University, we don’t offer a program online that is not offered on campus. We use the same curriculum, the same faculty, and deliver the same degree that you would find on campus. More...

By Benjamin L. Castleman - EvoLLLution. 3. What are the most effective strategies you’ve come across for institutions to put in place to maintain their low-income, non-traditional students?
Providing students with fairly straightforward strategies that encourage them to recognize that academic ability and performance can grow and be developed with practice and effort can have a very substantial effect on whether students are successful in college. More...

By John Deupree - EvoLLLution. 1. Why are international recruitment agents so valuable for American colleges and universities?
Recruitment agencies are valuable as one additional tool in the recruitment portfolio. US universities have long been recruiting [internationally]; many without partnering with agencies, for a variety of means, but many institutions find that adding agencies to their portfolio is helpful for a number of reasons. More...

By John MacDonald - EvoLLLution. The purpose of online education was initially to provide a way to accommodate students with restrictive schedules and those trying to take additional classes in the hopes of graduating earlier. The rise of many online universities — and their various accreditation approvals — was overshadowed by the movement of universities and various instructors transitioning traditional classes to the online model, and enhancing them for online delivery. More...

By Kenneth Hartman - EvoLLLution. 1. What is the “exit ramp” concept?
The basic premise is that American higher education is like a highway. For the past 50 years or so, the highway has been pretty predictable with occasional peaks or lulls; however, today, the highway looks very different with colleges facing historical changes both within and outside the academy, like higher enrollment, declined employment, record student debt, a lackluster economy (both here and abroad) and global unrest. When the CFO from Harvard [University] states that their business model is unsustainable — and at the last count, they had a $33 billion endowment — it’s time for all colleges to examine where they are on the highway and seek the next exit because, for many, the bridge is out at the end of the road. More...

By Janet Michello - EvoLLLution. As many educators recognize, hybrid and online courses are increasing in higher learning institutions. Yet in spite of this, lack of encouragement among some professors and administrators for this type of instruction means the supply is not necessarily keeping up with the demand. Some colleges are reluctant to increase the number of online and hybrid courses because of misconceptions about their utility. More...

By Michelle Maldonado - EvoLLLution. 2. Data May Be King, But What Exactly Are The KPIs for ROP?
Many organizations measure the value of their talent investment by considering the following key performance indicators (KPIs):

• Enhanced employee engagement, retention and performance;
• Strengthened leadership pipeline and identification of top talent;
• Increased organizational agility and efficiencies;
• Enhanced risk mitigation;
• Increased revenue generation and market share;
• Training and development cost savings;
• Academic resources (at course, certificate and degree levels) that align with the organization’s mission and are tied to employee’s role and function; and
• Direct integration of talent development projects within hiring and on-boarding practices as well as daily work assignments that support broader organizational strategies and objectives. More...

By Michelle Maldonado - EvoLLLution. Whether you’re looking at examples of private sector-academic partnerships — such as Starbucks’ recent collaboration with Arizona State University to support its College Achievement Program,[1] or Walmart’s long-standing alliance with American Public University to support its Lifelong Learning Program[2] — the people-investment clock is not only ticking, but the face of it is changing. More...