WEST VIRGINIA, ECONOMICS, AND THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION Dr. Mordecai I. Brownlee Dean of Students & Instructor University of Charleston

PRESENTATION AGENDA  Introduction  Presenter Bio  Discuss Learning Outcomes  Challenges Facing Higher Education  West Virginia & Higher Education  West Virginia & Economics  The Future of Higher Education

PRESENTER BIO Dean of Students & Instructor University of Charleston Over 12 years experience in management Over 10 years in higher education (Four-Year and Two-year systems) Research Specializations: First/Second-Year Student Success, Persistence, Enrollment Management, Workforce Education & Corporate Development, and High-Stakes (Standardized) Testing

LEARNING OUTCOMES  Increased knowledge of factors impacting higher education in West Virginia  Student affairs and enrollment initiatives to consider in the current market to increase institutional and program sustainability  Ways to remain competitive in today’s educational market for higher education

(DISCUSSION) WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACING HIGHER EDUCATION?

Economy Online Education Value Cost Accreditation Leadership Crisis Relevance Effectiveness Reduction in Funding Student Loan Crisis Rising Student Expectations Retention Enrollment Standardized Testing College Readiness Graduation Rates Workforce Readiness Federal/State Policy Challenges Facing Higher Education

Are those challenges facing higher education any different in West Virginia?

WEST VIRGINIA & HIGHER EDUCATION  There are currently 77 institutions of advancement in West Virginia  35 of those institutions only offer certifications  Of the 42 remaining institutions:  19 are community/technical colleges offering associates degrees (includes for-profit)  23 offer bachelors and advanced degrees (includes for-profit) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

(DISCUSSION) DO YOU THINK WEST VIRGINIA WILL HAVE 77 INSTITUTIONS OF ADVANCEMENT 15 YEARS FROM NOW?

WEST VIRGINIA & ECONOMICS  “West Virginia is losing population faster than any other state in the U.S.” according to the U.S. Census Bureau  “Ranked 48 th in the nation for states to do business in” according to CNBC back in 2013  “Ranked 45 th in the nation on the poll of strongest state economies” according to Business Insider in 2014 *Remember: Education is married to industry

COMPLICATIONS OF ECONOMICS  The pool of students within the state is decreasing  Institutions are having to develop creative ways to differentiate themselves in the market  Institutions are having to develop new ways to meet the academic needs of their students  Students are not remaining within the state after graduation  Cycle of poverty continues due to graduate flight

THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION  What role is student affairs playing in the sustainability of your institution?  How strategic is our enrollment plan? Is it numbers driven, or is it built for sustainability?  What are we doing to promote campus culture?  How are we adding value to the education experience?  Are we outcome driven?

THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION  How is our division benchmarking itself?  What are we doing to create applicable experiences outside of the classroom?  What are we doing to promote student leadership development?  How aligned are we with our institution’s mission and vision?  Are we ready for Generation Z?

WEST VIRGINIA, ECONOMICS, AND THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION Dr. Mordecai I. Brownlee Dean of Students & Instructor University of Charleston