Don’t miss these recent research studies from CRS
The Center for Research and Strategy has recently completed some exciting new research with a few of our corporate partners on different facets of today’s (and tomorrow’s) learners. While each of these efforts provide their own unique benefit, the suite of reports can be leveraged to better inform decision making for institutions moving forward.
Today’s Disengaged Learner is Tomorrow’s Adult Learner – UPCEA and StraighterLine
A shifting economy, uncertainty during the pandemic, and troubles within the higher education landscape are causing more traditional age students to disengage, sit-out, take a gap year, seek alternative forms of education, or go straight to the workforce. This joint study by StraighterLine and UPCEA examines a portion of the student population that disengaged with their institution after previous enrollment. The research focuses on what may have caused students to disengage and what might get them to re-enroll. Participants were asked about their level of engagement with their institution, satisfaction with engagement, likelihood of re-engaging and re-enrolling, and the potential effectiveness of various reengagement strategies.
Understanding the situations and motivations that caused learners to disengage with their institutions is an important way for institutions to be able to be proactive about their engagement with their current students as well as after they leave the institution. Download the full study here.
The Six Personas of the New Learner: Changing Motivations and Situations of the New Learner Landscape – UPCEA and Thinking Cap
The landscape of the economy has changed significantly over the last few decades with technology shaping the delivery of education, the workforce post-graduation, and the value of a degree. Adult learners who are subject to the effects and changes of the evolving digital world are an important section of the higher education ecosystem. This paper looks at the various motivations and drivers of various adult learner segments. Participants were asked about their motivations and reasons for continuing their education, training, and acquiring new skills as well as how schools can best interact with them when communicating these new higher ed opportunities. UPCEA and Thinking Cap Agency partnered to identify the gaps and opportunity areas which institutions can engage and interact with new learners.
The adult learner has changed and continues to evolve. The new adult learner can be challenging as consumers of products and services, including education, but their complexity can provide many opportunities as well. There are also many faces or segments of the adult learner population. To best represent and understand the generational and demographic differences of the respondents, six personas were analyzed and summarized to best represent the new adult learner. Download the full study here.
Supporting & Retaining the New Professional Learner: How continuing education leaders can meet the needs and expectations of today’s learners – UPCEA and Salesforce.org
The higher education landscape is rapidly evolving, and younger generations enrolled in professional, continuing, and online (PCO) programs are consistently increasing. Given these factors, UPCEA and Salesforce.org wanted to gain greater insight into the expectations and experiences of continuing education (CE) students and staff.
This report highlights insights and recommendations for PCO programs at higher education institutions. The key findings reveal learner needs and expectations across the full program lifecycle, the differences between ages and experience levels, and opportunities for institutions to better communicate with, support, and retain students. Additionally, this report examines institutions’ ability to use technology to automate processes and anticipate learners’ needs. Download the full study here.
And look out for more research results from our Marketing survey and Revenue, Budget, Staffing and Outsourcing survey, among others, in 2022!
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Unmatched Experience: For more than 100 years, UPCEA consultants have exclusively served the needs of online and professional continuing education programs. UPCEA consultants leverage their extensive industry expertise to expedite solutions, anticipate upcoming shifts, and offer distinct best practices, effectively aiding clients in achieving their goals.
Cost Effectiveness: As a nonprofit, member-serving organization, we provide unmatched value, allowing you to maximize limited research and consulting budgets.
Action in Motion: Our cadre of experienced, skilled authorities and expert practitioners propels you forward, translating research and consulting into impactful implementation, a distinctive hallmark of UPCEA. Our team of current and former institutional leaders will support you, turning research and consulting into action.
Mission Alignment: Like you, our mission is to enhance and expand educational opportunities and outcomes for adult and other non-traditional learners. We share your values and work in partnership with you to advance access and excellence in education.