Here’s a recent article from NPR discussing the problems smaller colleges face when enrollment decreases [1]. Many of the issues (faculty cuts, etc.) have been

Here’s a recent article from NPR discussing the problems smaller colleges face when enrollment decreases [1]. Many of the issues (faculty cuts, etc.) have been discussed here, but something I find interesting is that, in order to stay afloat, they’re changing the demographics they target. Namely, first-gen students (this has been an existing target for sometime) and returning adults: “ The challenge is that returning adult students are a lot harder to recruit. For high school students, Orians says, "we know where those people are. High schoolers are a captive audience." But when it comes to adults, she says, "they are everywhere. They are working. They are parents. They are engaged with their community." “ That said, they recognize recruitment isn’t always enough. They also plan to explore industry partnerships, further teacher training, and, most importantly, student retention: “ Last week, new numbers on graduation rates revealed that 60% of students who start college get their degree in six years. That's the highest its been in nearly a decade. “ 1. https://www.npr.org/2019/12/16/787909495/fewer-students-are-going-to-college-heres-why-that-matters https://www.npr.org/2019/12/16/787909495/fewer-students-are-...