探花楼

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Eye on Research

 

Join me once a month as I provide commentary, updates on 探花楼 Research, and relevant topics in Higher Education research. Want to receive updates on the blog directly? Join the email list below.

- Dr. Wendy Kilgore
Director of Research, 探花楼

August 2025 - Research Updates and News, Rewiring Higher Ed, AI Innovations, Shifting Landscapes, and More | 08/27/2025

The August 2025 Eye on Research commentary highlights growing concerns and transformative opportunities in higher education. Dr. Tom Green calls for a 鈥渞ewiring鈥 of the sector, urging institutions to adapt to shifting demographics, economic pressures, and the growing influence of AI on the job market. His commentary underscores the need to rethink who higher ed serves, how it demonstrates value, and how it manages cost and digital transformation. The issue also showcases new 探花楼 research initiatives, such as AI-generated audio summaries, upcoming dual-enrollment and scheduling reports, and data on learner persistence, microcredentials, multilingualism, and the cognitive effects of AI-assisted writing. Across multiple studies, the message is clear: institutions must evolve strategically to remain relevant and sustainable.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore
  • Jason Brown

    • June 2025 - Research Developments, "Some College, No Credential" Population Report, Value of IELTS Scores in Academic Success, College "stop-out" report, Online Learner Report, Learner Support, Homelessness programs, and more | 06/25/2025

    探花楼鈥檚 June 2025 Eye on Research reflects on a year of innovation and resilience in higher education. Highlights include a new LEARN Commission Green Paper and upcoming research releases. New reports examine the "some college, no credential" population, value of IELTS Score, college "stop-outs", online learners, and more. Key findings from national studies address learner success, homelessness programs, and college affordability, and more. Together, these updates offer timely guidance for institutional planning, equity, and learner support strategies.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore
  • Jason Brown

    • May 2025 - Reflections on the Academic Year, Research Developments, Student Financial Wellness, Faculty Influence on Persistence, Enrollment and Tenure Concerns, Affordable Access, Higher Education Value, Microcredential Support, and Online Learner Needs | 05/27/2025

    探花楼鈥檚 May 2025 Eye on Research reflects on a year of innovation and resilience in higher education. Highlights include upcoming research on AI in credit mobility, updated benchmarks for dual enrollment, and a white paper on learner-centered transfer pathways. New surveys invite participation on academic scheduling, admissions careers, AI in operations, and staffing鈥攅ach helping shape future policy and practice. Key findings from national studies address student financial wellness, faculty influence on learner persistence, and challenges facing humanities departments. Additional insights explore the success of affordable-access course material models, continued confidence in the value of higher education, and growing demand for microcredentials in workforce development. The evolving needs of online learners and the importance of belonging also take center stage. Together, these updates offer timely guidance for institutional planning, equity, and learner support strategies.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • April 2025 - Study of Mental Health Patterns at HBCUs and PBIs, Gen Z Perspectives on the Use of AI, and Report Aims to Improve Community-College Learners鈥 Attainment of a Bachelor's Degree | 04/30/2025

    This month's Eye on Research blog offers information on a free professional development opportunity at Embry鈥慠iddle Aeronautical University and a reminder to complete the Community-College Enrollment-Management Survey by May 2. March research highlights include a study of mental health patterns at HBCUs and PBIs, research on Gen Z perspectives on the use of AI, a report to improve community-college learners鈥 attainment of a bachelor's degree, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • March 2025 - AI Use for Credit Mobility Survey Update, Global Survey Results on Generative AI Use, and Report on Urban-Rural Opportunity Disparities Among Gen Z | 03/26/2025

    This month's Eye on Research blog shares updates for a survey on AI use for credit mobility, results for a global survey on generative AI use, and an update on the LEARN Commissions final Green Paper. March research highlights include a survey finding widespread basic-needs insecurity among college learners, a report finding urban-rural opportunity disparities among Gen Z, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • February 2025 - High School Dual-Enrollment Green Paper, Study Examines the Efficacy of Academic Alert Systems, and Study Finds Faculty Lag in the Use of Artificial Intelligence | 02/25/2025

    This month's Eye on Research blog shares a green paper from the LEARN Commission and a survey on institutional use of artificial intelligence (AI) for credit mobility. February research highlights include a study examining the efficacy of academic alert systems, a report revealing faculty lag in the use of artificial intelligence, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • January 2025 - Final LEARN Commission Survey and Green Paper, A Recovery in College Admission Rates, and Study Focuses on Workplace Etiquette Training | 01/29/2025

    This month's Eye on Research blog shares updates on the final LEARN commission survey and green paper, a Texas credit mobility technology study, and a new partnership between 探花楼 and ACE to support military-connected learners. January's research highlights include findings on recent college admissions rates, a study focused on workplace etiquette training for recent college graduates, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • November 2024 - Dual Enrollment Survey Results, 2024 Registrar Career Profile, and Survey Reveals Recent College Graduates Are Difficult to Work with and Hard to Supervise | 11/25/2024

    This month's Eye on Research blog shares Dual Enrollment Survey Results, a shortened part-of-term white paper, and an update on the 2024 Registrar Career Profile. November research highlights include findings on a student success administrator survey, a survey revealing that business leaders find recent college graduates difficult to work with and hard to supervise, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • October 2024 - New LEARN Commission CPL Green Paper, White Paper Proposes a Wealth-Based Pell Grant, and Enrollment Data Reveals a Complex Landscape with Both Growth and Decline | 10/29/2024

    This month's Eye on Research blog shares a Credit for Prior Learning green paper from the LEARN Commission, a high school dual enrollment survey, and a shortened part-of-term white paper. October research highlights include a report on the changing landscape of course materials, new enrollment data revealing a complex landscape with both growth and decline, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • September 2024 - Second Green Paper for the LEARN Commission Released, Effects of Transfer on Degree Attainment Examined, and Effects of AI-Focused Coursework on Job Market Outcomes | 09/24/2024

    This month's Eye on Research blog shares new dual-enrollment data shedding light on a critical topic, a second green paper for the LEARN Commission is in the works and 探花楼's Dual-Enrollment Survey. September research highlights include the effects of transfer on degree attainment examined, research on the needs of undergraduate learners, the effects of AI-focused coursework on job market outcomes, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • August 2024 - 探花楼's first Green Paper for the LEARN Commission, Learner Perceptions of Educational Quality, and How Learners and Faculty Perceive the Effect of AI on Academic Integrity | 08/27/2024

    This month's eye on research blog includes the new 探花楼 report examining the impact of federal transcript-hold regulations, information about the 探花楼 Registrar Career Profile Survey, and an announcement of a U.S. High School Dual Enrollment Landscape Survey. Highlights include a study examining possible solutions to declining public trust in higher education, a survey examining Americans' views on the value of a college degree, results from a report from higher-education leaders on learner-success best practices, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • June & July 2024 - 探花楼 Report Examines Impact of Federal Transcript-Hold Regulations, Study Examines Possible Solutions to Declining Public Trust in Higher Education, and Survey Report Examines Americans鈥 Views on the Value of a College Degree | 07/30/2024

    This month's eye on research blog includes the new 探花楼 report examining the impact of federal transcript-hold regulations, information about the 探花楼 Registrar Career Profile Survey, and an announcement of a U.S. High School Dual Enrollment Landscape Survey. Highlights include a study examining possible solutions to declining public trust in higher education, a survey examining Americans' views on the value of a college degree, results from a report from higher-education leaders on learner-success best practices, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • May 2024 - The 2024 Landscape of Credit for Prior Learning in U.S. and Canadian Higher Education, Survey Calls for Artificial Intelligence Policies in Higher Education, and Annual Survey Examines Attitudes toward Higher Education | 05/28/2024

    This month's eye on research blog includes the Credit-for-Prior-Learning Report, updates on institutional perceptions and plans related to transcript-hold regulation changes, and a call for participants. May research highlights include a survey calling for AI policies in higher education, results from a study using racial equity to assess college value, results from an annual survey examine attitudes toward higher education, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • April 2024 - Impact of Transcript Hold Bans Survey Update, Study Examines Student-Loan Default, and 12-Year Study Examines College Completion | 04/23/2024

    This month's eye on research blog provides updates on the status of the Credit-for-Prior-Learning Report, the Impact of Transcript Hold Bans Survey, and a a call for volunteers. April research highlights include a survey examining student-loan default, emerging themes from learner-driven research examines learner challenges and supports, results from a 12-year study examining college completion, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • March 2024 - Credit-for-Prior-Learning (CPL) Survey Completed, Report Examines Demands and Preferences of Online College Students, and Research Funded by the Gates Foundation Explores Student Perceptions of U.S. Higher Education | 03/26/2024

    This month's eye on research blog announces the Undergraduate Credit for Prior Learning 探花楼 Survey, the 2024 探花楼 Research Calendar, and a call to participate in redefining the 探花楼 Glossary. February research highlights include a report from AdAstra benchmarking the effectiveness of course scheduling, new data shows increase in undergraduate enrollment, new research shows concerning data about student debt, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • February 2024 - Report From AdAstra Benchmarks the Effectiveness of Course Scheduling, Undergraduate Enrollment Shows Increases, and a New Research Shows Concerning Data About Student Debt | 02/27/2024

    This month's eye on research blog announces the Undergraduate Credit for Prior Learning 探花楼 Survey, the 2024 探花楼 Research Calendar, and a call to participate in redefining the 探花楼 Glossary. February research highlights include a report from AdAstra benchmarking the effectiveness of course scheduling, new data shows increase in undergraduate enrollment, new research shows concerning data about student debt, and more.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • January 2024 - 探花楼 2023 Chief Enrollment Management Officer Career Profile Report, Credential Confusion鈥揂 New 探花楼 Report, and a New Report Identifies Common Post-Graduation Barriers to Career Success | 01/29/2024

    This month's eye on research blog addresses progress on new terminology used in higher education, welcomes new research advisory board members, highlights research opportunities, and discusses a new report identifying post-graduation barriers to career success, a case study using predictive analytics and care management to promote learner success, and a survey of Gen-Z learners examine their priorities for work and education.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • November 2023 - Operational Efficiency of Academic Operations, 2023 U.S. Chief Enrollment Management Officer Career Profile, and A New Survey Indicates Many Employers are Eliminating the Need for a Bachelor's Degree | 12/04/2023

    This month's eye on research blog discusses a new study that offers insight into how 800 employers will tackle higher education requirements as the cost of education continues to rise, a recently released 60-Second survey on operational efficiency, the 2023 U.S. CEMO Career Profile, a new survey indicates many employers are eliminating the need for a bachelor's degree, a multiple-measures assessment showing proved student success, insights into a new survey looking into how colleges are perceived to be serving students, and new data from the U.S. Department of Education examining transfer rates and success.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • October 2023 - Operational Efficiency of Academic Operations, Study Shows Impact of Faculty and Teaching Methods on Gateway Math Success, and an Examination the Challenges and Opportunities of Gen-Z | 10/27/2023

    This month's eye on research blog recognizes the 探花楼 Research Grant Winners and discusses a study showing the impact of faculty and teaching methods on gateway math success, the challenges and opportunities of Gen-Z, a comparison of secondary-career and technical-education policies across states, a report on high-school graduates who opt out of attending 4-year institutions, an examination of the persistent struggles of hispanic students, an examination of the motivations and outcomes of community college students, and a study of how role models affect future success.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

    • September 2023 - College Applications and Process, Student Orientation Practices, Trends in Student Success Services, and Digital Learning and Student Belonging | 09/28/2023

    This month's blog examines a new working paper, student orientation practices, key trends in student success services, two reports on digital learning and student belonging, how prospective students use college rankings, and reactions to the affirmative action ban from the Annual Survey of Admissions Officers.

  • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

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    About the Author



    • Dr. Wendy Kilgore

      Wendy Kilgore serves as the Director of Research and Senior Consultant for 探花楼 with more than 20  years of experience as a higher education administrator, researcher, and consultant in the US and Canada. She brings expertise in recruitment, admissions, financial aid, academic advisement, curriculum support, registration, records management, veterans’ education services, technology, organizational restructuring, student-centric business practice development, policy development, and managing comprehensive collaboration to support enrolment efforts.

      Prior to her full-time work with 探花楼, Dr. Kilgore served as state dean of enrollment services for the Colorado Community College system and the director of admissions and registrar for the Pima County Community College District. Her professional and consulting experience spans a wide array of institutions, including large public universities, small private colleges, small private, faith-based colleges, private for-profit institutions, technical colleges, a large two-year multi-campus community college district, and a state community college system consisting of 13 colleges. 

      Dr. Kilgore’s strategic consulting experience has included: records retention and disposition reviews, comprehensive student service evaluations; registrar and admission office reviews; business process analysis, mapping, and re-engineering; policy reviews; student service division mission; values and goals development; recommendations for organizational restructuring; technology requirements assessment and documentation, project charter and project plan development and SEM plan development.