As colleges and universities continue to navigate an extremely challenging environment, it has become clear that the new normal for higher education demands more than resilience. It requires strategic foresight and proactive leadership. Institutions today must navigate shifting policies, demographic changes, public sentiment, natural disasters, economic pressures, compliance mandates, safety concerns, talent turnover, operational efficiency demands, and increasing pressure for measurable results.
Is your institution prepared to proactively face these challenges, knowing that disruption is not just possible but highly probable?
- Will your strategic plan ensure financial sustainability if events on the scale of the pandemic disrupt your revenue streams?
- Does your current enrollment strategy include innovative approaches to capture new market share despite declining numbers of prospective students?
- Is your institution leveraging artificial intelligence to drive innovation and efficiency?
- Does your academic master plan align with program demand, employer talent needs, and student success outcomes?
- Can your organization prioritize limited resources effectively and use data to inform critical budget decisions?
- Do your stakeholders understand that your institution’s reputation and competitive standing depend on academic innovation, excellence, community engagement, and student success—achieved through accountability, continuous improvement, campus engagement, agility, and clear prioritization?
If your answer isn’t a confident “YES!”, it’s time to act. Consider investing two days at Encoura’s Strategic Enrollment Planning Executive Forum (December 1-3 in New Orleans).
Building a Foundation for Strategic Planning
Today, a strategic planning framework goes beyond enrollment—it is adaptable to address every facet of university and college operations, including institutional culture, financial health, academic excellence, technology integration, student success, community engagement, branding, and institutional value. This approach aligns your institution’s goals with the realities of the evolving higher education landscape, ensuring long-term enrollment success and financial sustainability.
While many institutions simply set goals and outline steps, true strategic planning thrives at the intersection of creativity, critical thinking, data analysis, and action. The Encoura Strategic Planning Forum is designed to elevate your institution’s capacity by focusing on essential, foundational steps:
- Analyzing your institution’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT)
- Identifying key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Fostering a data-informed decision-making culture
- Developing actionable strategy plans with clear accountability and measurable ROI
- Establishing prioritization protocols by assessing risk, resistance, and required effort
- Implementing, managing, and refreshing dynamic strategic plans through effective dashboards and processes
Higher Ed Strategy, Delivered
Subscribe for clear, actionable ideas your team can use to strengthen strategy, communication, and engagement.
What to Expect at This Forum
The forum offers practical case studies and shared experiences from transformation leaders. Sessions will highlight best practices in areas critical to institutional resiliency:
- Strategic enrollment planning
- Academic portfolio optimization
- Affordability and financial aid
- Student retention as a strategic priority
- Planning across populations and modalities
- Goals, evaluation, and evolution
Team Building and Learning From Each Other
Discussion and collaboration are at the heart of this event. Throughout the day, we'll have team discussion sessions where you can engage with colleagues and Encoura's experts. You will be able to identify challenges, needs, and opportunities, sparking meaningful conversations that will set the stage for momentum and change.
Equip Your Institution for Future-Focused Success
Empower your institution with actionable insights, dynamic strategies, and the tools necessary for growth, resilience, and meaningful impact in today’s higher education environment.
See the agenda and register for the Forum today. Bring your leadership team and ignite the discussions that will drive action and measurable results for your institution’s future. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more impactful event to propel your institution forward.