Post University: 2017 Vision Project Garrison Schmitt EDU505: Future of Education

Post University: Historical Facts 1890 – Founded as Matoon Shorthand School – Institution changes names five times over approximately seventy years 1965 – Post Junior College acquires current property on Country Club Road in Waterbury, CT 1976 – Name changes to Post College and becomes a four year accredited institution of higher education 2004 – Becomes Post University and adds new liberal arts opportunities to emphasize personal development and careers – Adds four different Master’s programs, including Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration and Education

Post University: 2012 Educational Context Total Graduates: 794 Main Campus: 105 Online Accelerated Degree Programs: 689 Graduate Degrees Earned: 207 MBA: 93; MED: 42; MPA: 2; MS-HSV: 70 Undergraduate Degrees Earned: 587 Bachelor’s Degrees: 481 Associate Degrees: 106 Age Span of Graduates: International Students: 7

Trends in Higher Education Rising Tuition and Associated Fees Average published tuition and fees at private nonprofit four-year institutions rose by 167%, from $10,901 (in 2012 dollars) to $29,056 from 1982 ‑ 83 to 2012 ‑ 13 US Department of Education reports an increase of 20.8% in the number of FAFSA filed in , compared to US Department of Education also reported that the percentage of students taking out private loans has almost tripled over the past five years from 5% to 14% For the school year, room and board increased 5.4% at public colleges and 4.2% at private colleges to an average price of $8,193 and $9,363, respectively Room and board charges have increased by 1.9% per year from 2002 to

Trends in Higher Education Educational Technology Professional Media Group LLC, found that 51% of all institutional respondents reported increase in IT budgets. Students are expecting: Wireless campus environment multimedia classrooms web enhanced courses optional online courses Electronic resources access to library’s digital collection 24/7 tech support Information is now defined by what is “accessible virtually and instantaneously” Betts, K., Hartman, K., & Oxholm, C. (2009)

Institutional Reinvention For Traditionalists ( ) and Baby Boomers ( ) who are nearing retirement but cannot afford to retire, online education and blended education provide the ideal opportunity Generation X (1965–1983) and Millennials (1984–2002) may not enroll in traditional on-campus programs due to family and work obligations or due to the additional expense of room and board According to the Sloan Consortium, almost 3.9 million students were taking at least one online course during the Fall 2007 term 12% increase over the number reported the previous year Trends in Higher Education Betts, K., Hartman, K., & Oxholm, C. (2009)

Techniques: Scanning of Environment – Gather information to identify and manage trends in technology, economics, and environment Monitor Changes – In conjunction with Scanning; provides ongoing review of impact of change Design Scenario – Propose a plan of action for the future of Post University based on the past and present Futuring Techniques Futuring – “An anticipatory decision-making process that leads to planning and program development” (Sobrero, 2004)

Futuring Techniques Post University 2017 Educational Context Design Scenario Monitor Changes Scanning of Environment

Post University in 2017: Technology of Tomorrow Two leading technologies most likely to impact education within the next year are: Mobile applications At Princeton University, students have direct access to Blackboard content, library collections, and even course information Tablet computing At the University of Adelaide, the iPad has replaced traditional textbooks for all first year science students, eliminating up to one thousand dollars in annual textbook costs Johnson, L. & Brown, M. (2012) Princeton on Your iPhone,” (2013) Cross, K. (2010, September 11)

Post University in 2017: On-Campus Academia Task force known as the Post University Academic Affairs Group (AAG) strives for academic integrity as well as high standards of quality programming With strategic plan by AAG, Post University will have accomplished its goal of becoming the first for-profit honors college in the nation Prestigious accomplishment reached by implementing plan for a 360- degree focus on each student (J. Bailey, personal communication, February 11, 2013). 360-degree plan relies upon each internal department in Academic and Student Affairs to provide students with best possible experience and prepare them for careers in the global marketplace Stricter admission acceptance standards this past academic year (J. Bailey, personal communication, February 11, 2013).

Post University’s online program will see significant improvements and support Increased number of degrees and certificates that allow for flexibility with location and time for course completion i.e. Innovative practices such as distance learning and accelerated degree programs Fastest growing institution of higher education learning in Connecticut Approximately 15,000 online students Expand Post University programs and facilities out of the state to accommodate growing online programs Post University in 2017: Off-Campus Academia Ross-Gordon, J. M. (2011) Puffer, M. (2013)

Challenges for 2017 Vision Increasing the admission standards will make it difficult for the University to entice new students for the first couple years Need to invest in renovated classrooms and residence halls as well as educational technology such as mobile apps and tablet support for incoming students With the rise in tuition and room and board costs across the country, it will be more challenging to convince students to live on campus Desire to grow program creates need to acquire a new location to expand its online educational facility Growth then creates new need to hire more support staff to manage all of the students through new facility

Opportunities for 2017 Vision Transitioning to tablet learning in the classroom would help students pay less for textbooks in the long-term Mobile applications offer students the ability to reconnect with the classroom from anywhere with internet access Renovating residence halls and classrooms for on-campus students will benefit the overall community aspect Becoming the first for-profit honors college institution in the country would be a massive selling point for prospective students Increasing the number of possible online and blended programs offered will assist in creating a more diverse group of student leaders to enrich the on and off-campus environment

Hiccups in Transformation If Post University does not accomplish the goals set in the 2017 vision: On-campus programs will become a stagnant, hard-sell for admissions counselors Prospective students will find competition more enticing Will not achieve goal of becoming the first for-profit honors college Post will fall behind other institutions that have put online education as a higher priority

Making Way for 2017: Steps to Achievement The Academic Affairs Group (AAG) has started Post on a strategy for future success by drafting a vision to reach honors college status Realistic financial plan to begin classroom and residence hall renovations More flexible financial aid packages to assist in enticing students to live on campus Continue advancement of technology in the classroom as well as training for students to use said technology Market on-campus and online programs on a greater nation-wide level to attract the attention of both youth and adult learners

Call to Action Academic Affairs Group (AAG) is a good first step… but more is needed to reach Post University: 2017 Vision Action Steps Committee designed for technological and financial concerns to accompany academic strategy put in place by AAG Effective and efficient budget design for renovation, technology advancements, programs, and etc.

References Baum, S. & Ma, J. (2012). Trends in college pricing Retrieved from: pdf pdf Betts, K., Hartman, K., & Oxholm, C. (2009). Re-examining & repositioning higher education: Twenty economic and demographic factors driving online and blended program enrollments. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 13(4), Cross, K. (2010, September 11). iPad replaces uni textbooks at University of Adelaide science faculty. The Advertiser. Retrieved from: university-of-adelaide-science-faculty/story-fn5jhv6y university-of-adelaide-science-faculty/story-fn5jhv6y Johnson, L. & Brown, M. (2012). NMC Horizon Report: 2012 higher education edition. Retrieved from: dt-content-rid _1/courses/EDU /2012-Horizon- Report-HE.pdfhttp://post.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid dt-content-rid _1/courses/EDU /2012-Horizon- Report-HE.pdf Princeton University. (2013). Princeton University on your iPhone or iPod touch. Retrieved from: Puffer, M. (2013, January 29). Post might outgrow state. Republican American. Retrieved from: Ross-Gordon, J. M. (2011). Research on adult learners: Supporting the needs of a student population that is no longer nontraditional. Association of American Colleges and Universities, 13(1), Sobrero, P. M. (2004). The steps for futuring. Journal of Extension, 42(3). Retrieved from: