How to Build a Better Academic Program Review

EAB experts Amy Luitjens and Brett Schraeder examine the early impact of the end of Grad PLUS on graduate students and universities. They share survey findings showing that students are seeking private loans and more institutional aid, while many institutions anticipate enrollment declines as funding gaps widen. Amy and Brett also discuss how universities can respond more quickly by reassessing program offerings, pricing, scholarships, and the data needed to support those decisions.

EAB experts Logan Morris and Tara Zirkel unpack findings from a survey of nearly 500 student success leaders and examine why retaining students is becoming increasingly difficult. They share practical strategies for addressing staff capacity constraints and evolving student needs, including how AI can help institutions identify risk sooner and give staff more time to connect with students.

EAB’s Shelly Walia and Adam Owenz examine the most pressing fundraising challenges facing community college advancement teams. Drawing on a new survey of advancement leaders, they explore how outdated technology, incomplete alumni data, and labor-intensive processes limit fundraising efforts. They also offer practical steps understaffed teams can take to spend less time on manual work and more time building relationships with potential donors.

Meta’s teen privacy case could accelerate changes in how social media platforms collect data, target minors, and serve personalized advertising. EAB’s Emily Niedermaier and Brooke Verbeek discuss what these changes mean for university marketers. They also share practical advice for aligning marketing with enrollment strategy, building trust across channels, and reaching right-fit students in an increasingly fragmented digital landscape.

EAB’s Madeleine Rhyneer and Pam Royall discuss findings from EAB’s new survey of more than 2,500 parents of high school students. They examine parents’ growing focus on career outcomes, mental health, and how colleges are preparing students for an AI-driven future, even as cost remains top of mind. Madeleine and Pam also explain how enrollment leaders can communicate with parents earlier and more effectively to turn them into valuable recruitment allies.

Katie Linder, Joanne Addison, and Beth Myers from the University of Colorado Denver talk to EAB’s Paul Gunther about how they manage the school’s annual program check-in. The team explains how they created a comprehensive, inclusive process with both formal and informal methods to gather input from faculty and administrators. They also offer tips to other institutional leaders on how to build similar programs that can survive leadership transitions and other challenges.

EAB’s Val Fox and Pam Royall host a discussion with higher education consultant Donald Resnik to unpack findings from the newest EAB-NAGAP survey of graduate enrollment staff. The three discuss why graduate enrollment teams are facing growing pressure to generate revenue while navigating staff burnout, AI adoption, and shifting student expectations. They explore where institutions are getting it right, where common assumptions are falling short, and what university leaders can do to build more sustainable enrollment strategies for the year ahead.

EAB’s Val Fox and Michael Koppenheffer discuss how AI tools like ChatGPT are increasingly impacting the way students and families discover and evaluate colleges. They explain why embracing generative engine optimization (GEO) has become just as important as traditional search engine optimization. They also offer broader practical advice for strengthening your institution's digital presence, creating AI-friendly content, and preparing your enrollment strategy for an AI-first future.

EAB's Julia Philyaw sits down with Ryan Schmiesing, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at the University of Minnesota, to explore how the university conducted a comprehensive strategic review designed to strengthen the institution's long-term sustainability. Ryan shares how his team assessed organizational strengths, vulnerabilities, and opportunities across a complex, multi-campus system while building support among campus leaders and other key stakeholders. The two also offer practical advice for higher education leaders on how to turn strategic planning into meaningful action.

EAB’s Alexa Silverman and Margaret Sullivan examine the root causes of the modern student readiness crisis, reframing it not as a generational gap but as a natural response to a rapidly changing learning environment. The pair explore how a student's mental health and academic performance can create a self-reinforcing cycle. They also share evidence-based practices being used by progressive school districts and suggest ways that higher ed and K-12 leaders can align to help bridge the readiness gap.