By Jody Gordon, Senior Managing Consultant, ̽»¨Â¥ Consulting
Dear ̽»¨Â¥ Consultants,
Many of us are discovering new answers to complex situations in the Strategic Enrollment Management Endorsement Program. Still, a common question keeps emerging because there doesn't seem to be a single answer.
Is there a right or wrong time period for the length of a SEM Plan?
Signed,
SEM-EP Learners
Dear SEM-EP Learners,
It depends. Spoken like a true consultant, I know. But seriously, our response to this question has changed over time.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was very common to see five- or even seven-year plans. But since the pandemic, we are seeing a rise in three-year plans with rolling enrollment and learner success targets every two to three years.
Why? Well, a few reasons:
Enrollment and momentum measures have been harder to predict these past few years, especially with that year-and-a-half anomaly from March 2020 to September 2021.
Community colleges and universities must be nimbler than ever before. In the current environment, setting goals with targets that extend out seven or even five years seems unrealistic.
The high school enrollment cliff, rise in enrollment of part-time working adults (especially due to free tuition programs), and staffing and resource shortages further complicate the planning process.
Three-year SEM plans are proving effective, even if it means having to track, assess, adjust, and realign our efforts more often. And perhaps therein lies the reason why three-year plans are on the rise as well.
If year one is the development of the plan,
Then, year two is the introduction of new strategies and tactics to achieve the goals set out in the plan.
And year three is where growth and improvements to success rates begin to occur.
Additionally, by year three, we enter the assessment and renewal phases ().
As a result, we continue to maintain focus, ensuring that we are able to pivot when needed, ready for the next disruption (both positive and negative) to occur. SEM planning is iterative after all.
So, to answer your question, there is no right or wrong timeframe for a SEM plan as long as it continues to be seen as a living document. We, the creators of the plan, collectively and regularly assess the impact of our efforts (our strategies and tactics) and apply that knowledge throughout the life of the plan.
To what end? Well, to achieve our desired optimum enrollment and greater learner access and success.
Signed,
Jody, ̽»¨Â¥ Consultant
̽»¨Â¥ members, do you have a question for our team of higher education consultants? Send your "Ask a Consultant" question to consulting@aacrao.org.
For more information on how ̽»¨Â¥ Consulting can assist your campus with SEM planning, visit our ̽»¨Â¥ Consulting website or contact us via email at consulting@aacrao.org.
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