1. “Best Practices that Drive Enrollment in Adult Programs...Consider the Cohort Approach” Sharon McFarlane, M.B.A. Malone University OCHEA 2011 Annual Conference

2. Management Program 1984 First Cohort Dr. Daniel Hoskins, Primary Instructor Retired Professor of Business Administration “That first night went smoothly and attitudes were just great,” explained Dr. Hoskins. “…all of the students bonded.” * * “Malone College Management Program 20 Year Anniversary.” 2005. The Update, Volume III, Issue I, pg. 1.

3. Cohort Defined “…a group of individuals having a statistical factor (as age or class membership) in common in a demographic study ” “Synonyms: associate, companion…”associatecompanion http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cohort? show=0&t=1300238099students> “ (March, 2011)

4. The Cohort Approach Malone University cohort programs Over the years Benefits to students and school Flexibility “You are in the same situation as many of them so we all become a family and rely on each other. You get the support you need.” Jenna Gordon Marketing Management

5. Programs Using Cohorts Malone Management Program (MMP), accelerated degree completion RN to BSN, accelerated degree completion Master’s of Business Administration

6. Malone Management Program Cohort Fourteen months Ground classes four hours, once a week Online courses available 24/7 Accelerated degree completion program “With class one night a week, I can still work full time and I can still be there for my wife and my daughter.” William Harris Marketing Management

7. RN to BSN Cohort Twelve months of coursework Classes meet once a week Canton, Ohio Bachelor of Science in Nursing, degree completion program “…the convenience of meeting on the same day of the week for a blocked out period of time for the entire program made sense as the best option for the family to help me meet my career goals.” John Milburn, R.N., 2010

8. M.B.A. Cohort Twenty-four months Courses planned for the entire program Classes meet once a week for four hours “Malone has a program that is designed to fit conveniently into my busy personal and professional schedule.” Polo Paredes M.B.A. student, 2011

9. Over the Years Research prior to launch of first Management Program class Grabowski & Company, 2010, survey of current and past students Programs’ cohorts to spring 2011: ◦ MMP started 1984;total cohorts: 258 ground, and 26 online ◦ RN to BSN started 1994; total cohorts: 35 ◦ MBA started1994; total cohorts: 34

10. Benefits to School Feeder to other school programs Feeder to other courses Student commitment Continuity of objectives and learning outcomes among courses

11. Benefits to Students Time management Financing plans Clear picture of graduation plan Support from classmates Life-long friendships Support of faculty and staff Confidence in other programs

12. Reacting to Change Students Internal and external environments MMP: Additional program majors MMP: New program structures RN to BSN: Structure

13. Enhancements Management Program 1984 2011 Organizational Management Canton, Ohio Five majors; Organizational Project Marketing Health Services Environmental Four Structures: Ground: Canton and Brecksville Online Hybrid Mixed

14. RN to BSN 1994 Twenty months, 42.5 credits 2011 Twelve months of coursework, 36 credits

15. Summary Malone programs with cohorts Yesterday and today Benefits to students and school Meeting the changing needs of students and the environment

16. Thank You!