Odyssey newsletter: predictions . trends . records

Volume 2 Issue 5

by Michael Wagner

Knowledge Pilot, Launch Global Education

The world of higher education is an ever-changing industry. We begin this week with predictions from experts outlining exciting changes on the horizon in higher education. We follow with an article about the rebound in applications and enrollment and another looking at longer term trends in people seeking advanced learning opportunities. While it is easy to focus on the struggles of applying to, attending, and graduating from college, these positives need just as much emphasis to boost excitement and encouragement students to be successful. As I like to say, the glass should always be half full.

Discoveries

What is ahead in higher education

The world of higher education is in a constant state of change, and 2023 is seemingly not going to be any different—there is a focus on debt, admissions policies, standardized testing policies, and more. Senior Reporter, Jeremy Bauer-Wolf of Higher Ed Dive shares the opinions of six admissions experts and their predictions for the upcoming year.

6 college admissions experts share their biggest predictions for 2023

Light at the end of the tunnel

Between the pandemic and the growing financial stress that students face in paying for college, there have been large decreases in students applying to college over the last few years. However, the most recent data analyzed, as reported by Alcino Donadel of University Business, shows that students applications to colleges are on the rebound.

Fresh student enrollment data suggests “encouraging” recovery

Lifelong learning’s steady growth

There is a positive trend with adults pursuing advanced training. Adults attaining college degrees or other advanced learning (such as credentials and certificates) has dramatically increased over time. As Courtney Brown of the Lumina Foundation reports, since 2008 there has been a major upward shift in lifelong learning.

Why counting degrees matters

Tip of the Week

College visits are back

Over the pandemic years, the long-established tradition of prospective students visiting colleges and attending campus tours was disrupted. The good news? Campus tours are happening again. It is important, because it is one of the most valuable ways for students and families to experience the campus vibe and spirit, and for a student to better understand what spending four or more years on the campus would be like.

Spring is a great time for students to visit the schools that they would potentially apply to in the fall and this often happens during a student’s spring break. The process is quite simple. The student needs to visit the school’s website, where the majority of colleges have campus visit information right on the home page with a link to schedule a tour. If there is not a direct link on the website landing page, simply click on the admissions tab and look for campus tour information. I strongly encourage students to take advantage of this time and have fun in the process. Visit some schools and begin to experience what college will be like.

Before you go...

As I have said many times before, I am a HUGE sports fan; yet I will admit I am not a big NBA basketball fan. I will watch an occasional game here or there, but night in and night out, I admit I don’t know who is playing who. However, a very large historical milestone is about to take place: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is about to overtake Kareem Abdul Jabbar (one of my childhood idles) to become the all-time NBA scoring leader in total points. The record of 38,387 points was set by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during his 20-year career in the NBA.

It appears that LeBron James will break the record any day now. To surpass a record that has been so long standing is no small feat. It is interesting that both players did it in 20 years in the league. And the record for the next player to surpass will only continue to grow with each game that LeBron plays. No doubt, especially if he continues to play for multiple seasons, it will become a record that could stand for a very long time, no different than the one Kareem Abdul-Jabbar set at the end of the 1988-1989 season. It is indeed history in the making.

I don’t know if I have openly expressed how much I enjoy assembling this newsletter each week. It is with much pride that I get to share a few of the important topics in the world of higher education to keep people abreast of what is happening. From those that have successfully attained a college degree to the ones that are just starting the journey, I want this information to be valuable and relevant. Beyond that, I enjoy being able to share a little of who I am and my interests.

I hope you enjoy the Odyssey newsletter and the topics this week. My goal is that you will know a little more after reading it than you knew before reading it. Once again, we keep with the goal of striving to be lifelong learners. Don’t forget to share it with those you know, we would appreciate it a great deal.

Have a great week.

Mr. Mike

Michael Wagner, MAED is a founder and the Knowledge Pilot for Launch Education. Mr. Mike has assisted hundreds of students around the world on their college pathways.