In this monumental time of social change, community college news and reports need to be at the forefront of all professionals working in higher education- not just those who work in these unique institutions. Why? There are several reasons, each of which become more apparent while flipping through the pages of Inside Higher Ed's special report…

The unique nature of 2020 had the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) focusing on creating more benchmarking changes in practice and policy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and less on its surveys or other projects. However, they also engaged with the American Council on Education (ACE) in a large…

The "Chronicle of Higher Education" report "The Looming Enrollment Crisis" offers multiple case studies on how institutions "were" responding to shifting demographics and new student needs--that is, prior to the coronavirus pandemic. In contrast to the adverse impacts of natural disasters on particular geographic…

As the Millennial generation matures and commentary about it fades from public discussion, a new generation of students is taking center stage on campuses: Generation Z. Sometimes referred to as iGen, Centennials, or the Recession Generation, this new generation has officially been named Generation Z (or Gen Z) by the Pew Research Center (Dimock…

This article considers the use of information technology (IT) for quality service; the characteristics of today's students (Millennials and Zs); and what a satisfactory service for them should be. (For Part One, see EJ1216961.)

"One-stop" centers are evidence of institutions' recognition of students' changing needs and habits. The centers enable students to manage all of their business in one location (mirroring somewhat the process of managing tasks in industries outside of higher education). A one-stop center moves services from a process-centered approach to…

Certified college funding specialists™ are part of a growing list of professionals who specialize in college planning. This list includes but is not limited to high school counselors, independent college advisors/consultants, and admission and financial aid representatives. This article reviews the college funding specialists and their…

At more than one hundred questions, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has often been the source of sharp criticism. Indeed, the length, complexity, and timing of the FAFSA have left many students, parents, and institutions frustrated, prompting policy makers to demand reform. The urgency to reform is especially salient when…

Much of what is known about college access, admissions, and student experiences is largely a result of studies and practices focused on "traditional-aged" college students. While these studies and efforts have provided substantial information to guide our field, they are inherently limited by their intentional and narrow focus on younger…