The scholarship of practice entails the use of findings of empirical research to guide the development of institutional policy and practice. Accordingly, engagement in the scholarship of practice by enrollment management (EM) officers precludes them from "shooting from the hip" or trial-and-error forms of professional action. Engagement…

Enrollment management has become an important leadership function on many college and university campuses. It is also attracting critical attention here and abroad among observers of our system of postsecondary education. With this essay, "College and University" begins a series that will examine policies and practices that are central to…

The hidden dimensions of leadership and of the costs associated with the implementation of new information systems should be carefully considered. They can help determine the short- and long-term success of new systems.

In this article, the authors share what they have learned in two distinct but complementary research projects that focus on institutional efforts to enhance student persistence and graduation--one funded by the Lumina Foundation for Education and the second by the College Board. Together, these projects have helped them develop a fuller picture of…

The world of policymaking on the campuses of colleges and universities is messy, ambiguous, and contested. In this complex environment, which Kingdon (2003) has aptly called a "policy soup," the role of institutional research is often not only to provide answers to existing policy questions but to produce information to help transform…

A guide to the development and operation of a college enrollment management system is presented for college administrators. After describing current issues that affect traditional student enrollments, the concept of enrollment management is defined, and its basic elements are introduced, along with broader organizational perspectives such as…

During the past thirty years there has been a worldwide shift toward neoliberal views of the role of national governments that has resulted in further globalization, privatization, and marketization of many formerly government provided services and activities. The effects of this global shift have been particularly felt in the areas of education…

Steps taken by institutions to have a greater impact on their student enrollments are referred to as enrollment management. Organizational implications are defined and enrollment management is defined as a process that influences the size, shape, and characteristics of a student body. (MLW)

An Indiana project to encourage participation in postsecondary education combined state policy making, funding and program support from public and private sources, and affiliated research activities at Indiana University. The interaction of these elements is examined, and it is concluded that communication, research, and student aid can be used to…

Two analogies for enrollment management are provided so that the concept may be more easily shared. The characteristics of the most effective organizational climate to ensure the success of an enrollment management strategy are described, and integration of the system is discussed. Additional resources are listed. (Author/MLW)

The chapters of this collection describe a transformational period in higher education. The paradigm shift in higher education requires new organizational models, new strategies, new resources, and new tools, with new ways of thinking, especially about strategic enrollment management (SEM). The chapters of part 1, "The Contextual Framework for…