U.S. Graduation Rates Decline Slightly
Article A new report reveals that total enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities fell for the first time since 1996.

Talking Points: Mission Achievable
CURRENTS Article Initiative shows that with collective effort, closing the college enrollment and graduation gap between underrepresented minority and low-income students and others is possible.

Outlook: Losing Ground
CURRENTS Article Before the U.S. Supreme Court addresses another challenge to affirmative action, higher education leaders who know the benefits of a diverse campus should speak up, says diversity expert William Harvey.

U.S. Undergraduate Enrollment Predicted to Reach Nearly 21M by 2021
Article A new report reveals that undergraduate enrollment in the United States grew from 13.2 million to 18.1 million between 2000 and 2010, an increase of nearly 40 percent, and predicts that enrollment will reach 20.6 million in 2021.

International Enrollment Engines
CURRENTS Article Emerging economies feed higher education growth

More Students Claim Two or More Alma Maters
Article A recent study reports that more U.S. students are attending multiple institutions, with some transferring as many as three times, before earning a postsecondary degree.

Talking Points: Thorny Branches
CURRENTS Article In recent years, several international branch campuses have closed their doors for a variety of reasons, including their inability to attract sufficient and sufficiently qualified students. Still, more are being developed and entering an increasingly competitive environment.

Talking Points: Ineffective Counsel?
CURRENTS Article U.S. colleges and universities weigh economics and ethics of paying third-party agents a commission to recruit international students.

Report Reveals Shift in U.S. Higher Education
Article A new report reveals that undergraduate enrollment at colleges and universities in the United States increased by almost 5 million students during the last 10 years; nearly 30 percent of this increase occurred at private for-profit institutions.

Marketing and Branding Institute
Conference Within the higher education community, enrollment managers and communication professionals are working more closely together than ever before. This program is designed to explore this emerging practice and its impact on their work together. Walk away with a deeper understanding of the fundamental and philosophical approaches in each discipline and discover how new strategic partnerships can emerge for greater success.

Parental Education May Determine Children's College Attendance
Article Two new studies of Canadian youth reveal that a parent's education has a greater positive impact on whether a son or daughter will attend college or university than family income.

Influencing the Influencers
CURRENTS Article This article discusses the growing trend of U.S. four-year institutions collecting e-mail addresses from parents of applicants. Some institutions are using this information as a marketing tool to involve parents in the college selection and decision-making process.

Parents Continue to Hover, Especially in Admissions Process
Article A new survey reveals that nearly 80 percent of college admissions officers say parents are more involved than ever in the process due to growing competition and application costs.

Record Rate of High School Grads Entering Colleges, Universities
Article A Pew Research Center report shows that freshman enrollment in the United States grew 6 percent in 2008 to a record 2.6 million due primarily to an increase in minority student enrollment.

Outlook: Beyond the Digital Divide
CURRENTS Article New research shows that black and Hispanic students use digital tools in the college search process just as much, if not more, than white students do. Institutions should employ multiple technological tools to recruit a diverse class.

Enrollment at Two-Year Institutions in U.S. Hits Record High
Article Recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveal that the proportion of 18- to 24-year olds attending higher education institutions has hit an all-time high due to a surge in enrollments at two-year institutions.

Advance Work: Testing, Testing 1-2-3
CURRENTS Article The admissions offices at Wake Forest University and Bryn Mawr College have relaxed their standardized test requirements by adopting "test-optional" and "test-flexible" policies, respectively.

More Canadian Students Consider Graduate School
Article In a related article, a new survey reports that 9 out of 10 Canadian university students are concerned about the recession and that some are now considering graduate school or a second degree due to career and financial worries.

Growth in U.S. Graduate Enrollment Driven by Domestic Students
Article Increasing global competition and recognition of the value of a graduate education, especially in today’s economy, has resulted in larger annual growth in the percentage of domestic students enrolling in U.S. graduate schools than international students for the first time in four years.

College Fit More Important than Cost to High-Achieving Seniors
Article Despite an uncertain economy, college-bound high school students in the United States still seek “the right fit” over lower cost when it comes to selecting a college.

Down Economy Having Little Impact on Enrollment at Private Institutions
Article A recent survey finds that most U.S. private colleges and universities expect to maintain or slightly increase enrollment numbers this fall.

Explosive Growth Reported in Global Higher Ed Enrollment
Article A new report reveals that the number of students pursuing tertiary or higher education has “skyrocketed.”

Military Service Members and Veterans in Higher Education: What the New GI Bill May Mean for Postsecondary Institutions
American Council on Education
Report This July 2009 report provides an overview of the U.S. Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, its potential effect on college enrollment among current and former military personnel, the characteristics of military undergraduates and the issues they face.

Australia Announces "Bold Plan" in Higher Education
Article The Australian government has announced a new plan to boost the number of Australians aged 25 to 34 with bachelor’s degrees from 32 to 40 percent of the population during the next 15 years.

U.S. Falling Behind in College Enrollment, Completion
Article A new report says that economic pressures and decreased high school graduation rates continue to take a toll on higher education enrollment and completion in the United States.

Race-Conscious Admissions Policies Benefit Society, Not Just Individuals
CURRENTS Article Race-conscious admissions is a hot-button topic with strong feelings on both sides of the debate. This issue of CURRENTS includes discussions of each viewpoint. This article argues that taking race into consideration in admissions is necessary in the fight to erase racial inequality.

Special Delivery
CURRENTS Article Some institutions welcome input from admissions consultants; some won't give them the time of day. Some consultants are independent "packagers"; others are members of regulating associations. This article describes the difference between the two kinds and in the ways they work to help students get into their choice of college.

Closing Remarks: A Level Playing Field
CURRENTS Article Two prestigious universities were the first to drop early admissions. Others have followed. Will there be more? Will doing away with early admissions help or hurt equalization of access to higher education? Will it benefit students or learning? The author weighs in on these issues and more.

Talking Points: The Same but Different
CURRENTS Article Tuition discounting--using financial aid to help defray students' expenses and to influence their enrollment decisions--is standard practice at most private institutions. This article examines the practice and how it has changed over the years. It’s become an integral part of enrollment-management strategies that colleges use to try to build enrollments, increase net revenue, and shape incoming classes to fit institutional missions and preferences.

Closing Remarks: Acceptance Letter™
CURRENTS Article In a satire, Keiger suggests what might happen if a campus goes to an extreme with commercial endorsements and marketing incentives.