In this episode of "Grow, Grow, Grow," host Bob Atkins discusses the revitalization of small liberal arts colleges with Jeffrey Docking, President of Adrian College, and Kevin Harrington, President of Rize Education. They explore the challenges faced by Adrian University in 2005, including declining enrollment and financial struggles, and the strategies implemented to reverse this trend.

Jeffrey Docking shares the success story of Adrian College, emphasizing the expansion of athletic programs and the introduction of innovative, high-demand academic majors. He highlights the collaboration with Kevin Harrington and Rize Education to develop a platform for sharing centralized curriculum and resources, enabling the rapid and cost-effective launch of new majors in tech-oriented fields.

Kevin Harrington discusses the role of Rize Education in supporting small colleges, focusing on creating majors that align with student interests and job market demands.

The episode wraps up with insights into the positive reception of these changes by faculty and students at Adrian College, showcasing how innovative strategies have led to increased enrollment and improved financial stability.

Listeners gain insights into effective methods for adapting small liberal arts colleges to meet contemporary educational and market needs.

Join Robert Atkins, Sarah Collins from Ad Astra, and David Short from Lamar University as they explore creative pathways to growth in higher education. Dive into a discussion on the power of strategic scheduling, informed by actionable data, as a potent tool for increasing student enrollment and boosting revenue.

Discover how Lamar University’s real-time adjustments during enrollment significantly impacted registration numbers and student retention. Listen as they explore the intricate dance between course availability, enrollment, and demand, and understand how a student-centric approach to scheduling can positively influence student outcomes and financial stability.

Tune in for a compact yet insightful dialogue that challenges traditional paradigms and presents innovative, data-driven strategies for sustained growth in the complex world of higher education.

 In this episode, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, president of Augustana University, and Shannan Nelson, executive vice president and CFO at Augustana, discuss the strategies and initiatives employed by Augustana University to foster growth and innovation in higher education. They discuss various academic programs and ventures that have contributed to the university's expansion, focusing on the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, which combines online coursework with in-person clinical experience to provide an efficient and high-quality education. Additionally, they explore integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in the curriculum in both computer science and applied AI across disciplines. The conversation highlights the importance of adaptability, community engagement, and leveraging AI to stay at the forefront of higher education in an evolving landscape.

Join host Bob Atkins for an insightful episode of Grow Grow Grow as he converses with George Burnett, former President of Northcentral University. Together, they unveil the strategies and solutions essential for expanding enrollment within the evolving landscape of higher education. In their in-depth discussion, George and Bob illuminate key insights, including:

How rising interest rates and shifting degree perceptions impact enrollment strategies

The pivotal role of program diversification and varied modalities for growth and adaptability

How certificates and non-traditional offerings can attract diverse students and enrich academic portfolios

The importance of redefining marketing approaches to resonate with digital-savvy prospective students

The significance of staying ahead in technology-driven education and ensuring optimal support for online learners. 

How to embrace innovation while staying rooted in institutional values for sustained growth

In this episode, Dr. Tom Loper Associate Provost/Dean of Arts, Science, and Management at Baypath University, discusses the initial challenges faced as a women's only college and how they diversified their programs to attract adult learners and pursued graduate programs to achieve growth.

Baypath focused on market research to understand regional needs and employers' demands, which led them to develop new cybersecurity and applied data science programs.

The university heavily invested in online teaching capabilities and content marketing for program-specific marketing.

The conversation highlighted the importance of working with the market in mind and using data to make informed decisions and drive growth.

In the third episode of Grow Grow Grow, Bob Atkins welcomes Matthew Crellin, Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, for a thought-provoking conversation on the financial implications of underrepresented groups not attending college. Join them as they dive into effective strategies to address this challenge head-on and create a more inclusive environment in higher education. Discover how enrollment can be increased and underrepresented minorities can be attracted to reshape the landscape of higher education and foster equitable student success.

• In this engaging and informative second episode of Grow Grow Grow, Bob Atkins, is joined by Colin Irvine, President of Concordia College and recent Provost and VPA at Augustana University, and Joni Kruger, Registrar & Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and Associate Dean of Interdisciplinary Programs. Together, they discuss the remarkable success of Augustana University in designing and implementing a growth-focused strategic plan. The conversation encompasses the following points:
• • Building excellent interdisciplinary programs that foster collaboration and innovation.
  • Utilizing data analysis to identify growth trends and capitalize on opportunities.
  • Developing strong community relationships to support and enhance academic programs.
  • Leveraging untapped community resources identified through data analysis.
  • Launching new programs without the need for faculty expansion, thereby optimizing resources and capacity.

In this engaging and informative first episode of Grow Grow Grow, Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson, Provost Emerita, Distinguished Professor of Higher Ed Leadership Bay Path University, and Host of IngenioUs podcast joins host Bob Atkins to discuss her success in developing new academic programs and generating significant tuition revenue. The conversation includes thoughts on:

• The barriers to growth in higher education, with a particular focus on the cultural factors that hinder change and innovation

• The resistance to change within accrediting bodies, alumni groups, and faculty, as well as the challenges associated with faculty governance and the tenure system

• The concept of "the keepers of tradition," who cling to the past and might hinder growth, with emphasis on the importance of visionary leadership and resilience in the face of tough decision-making
• Examples of successful growth initiatives that rely on galvanizing faculty and creating conditions for creative thinking
• Changing your mindset and "not being afraid to rewrite the rule book."