One of the primary areas measured by institutions of higher education is student enrollment. Annu... more One of the primary areas measured by institutions of higher education is student enrollment. Annually, the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) publishes the End-of-Year, Annualized Enrollment Report that highlights the various metrics used to measure student enrollment over the course of an academic year.
The general perception of a traditional college career goes as follows: upon high school graduati... more The general perception of a traditional college career goes as follows: upon high school graduation, a student immediately enrolls the following year in a college or university, attends full-time, and soon thereafter graduates from the same college or university two to four years later. However, recent analysis by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education indicates the traditionally accepted route of a college student is actually the exception: only 1 in 5 USHE students enrolls and completes at the same institution, in the same major, and at the originally-intended award level (e.g. associate, bachelor, etc.). Students are more likely than not to change majors and transfer institutions. With recent emphasis on timely degree completion, changes to educational intent can contribute to prolonged time-to-completion of a degree or certificate, and stand to simply earn some credit with no degree as life events occur and the challenge to complete increases.
The impact of rising student debt, the cost of attending college and the value of the degree or c... more The impact of rising student debt, the cost of attending college and the value of the degree or certificate received at completion continues to be a critical focus for higher education leaders. Research has consistently demonstrated that financial related difficulties can create barriers for student college completion. To help understand this issue as it impacts Utah students, this study examines how students pay for their basic tuition and fees for an academic year (Fall & Spring semesters). Of all USHE undergraduate students, 21.5% percent (with less than 30 attempted hours) had 100% of base tuition and fees covered by grant aid. This number increases to 33.3% for students who attempted 30 or more credits during the academic year (table ).
Utah’s population will become increasingly diverse in the coming decades. By 2065, the percent of... more Utah’s population will become increasingly diverse in the coming decades. By 2065, the percent of minorities in Utah (age 18-35) will nearly double. There is already a postsecondary education enrollment and completion gap between minority populations and the white population at colleges and universities in the Utah System of Higher Education. If differences in the college participation rates of minority populations continue to persist, then, as the state’s demographic makeup changes, the enrollment gap at USHE institutions will continue to increase.
As chair of the candidate's graduate committee, I have read the dissertation of Joseph A. Curtin ... more As chair of the candidate's graduate committee, I have read the dissertation of Joseph A. Curtin in its final form and have found that (1) its format, citations and bibliographical style are consistent and acceptable and fulfill university and department style requirements; (2) its illustrative materials including figures, tables, and charts are in place; and (3) the final manuscript is satisfactory to the graduate committee and is ready for submission to the university library.
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