Insights for Higher Ed from focusEDU
Higher Education Insights addresses many topical issues that institutions are facing today. As expectations for sustainability and success continues to increase, it is important for the leaders in higher education to critically assess and be prepared to refocus strategic initiatives.
The Consulting Directors and Contributing Editors of focusEDU are nationally respected leaders in their areas of expertise in higher education. Higher Education Insights are original critical-thought positions from the leaders of focusEDU.
If you would like to speak to a Higher Education Consultant you may connect with us using the form on the Contact Page. We can begin the conversation today.
The Consulting Directors are all acclaimed national leaders in their professions. focusEDU has a cadre of professionals from the core higher ed mission-critical operational areas of enrollment management, admissions, registrar and registration areas, student accounts and student financial services areas, financial aid operations and experts to provide advice and assistance to the leaders of higher education in instructional technology and instructional design. These are short, good articles. Please click on a title to read an interesting article.
If you read an article that interests you, please feel free to contact focusEDU so we can open a conversation that could provide value and insights to you and your institution. The articles are created by the critical thinkers from our team who have years of expertise in these areas. They would welcome hearing from you.
Click the Title to Read the Article Below.
Bursar – University of Tennessee – Knoxville
Position Announcement Bursar Knoxville, the University and the Region UTK is the state’s flagship, land-grant university. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a Research 1 university housing 11 colleges and 900+ programs of study. With an enrollment of 30,000 students, its undergraduate and graduate programs are repeatedly ranked among top national programs. The city of
Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives and University Registrar
Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives and University Registrar Knoxville, the University and the Region UTK is the state’s flagship, land-grant university. We are a Research 1 university housing 11 colleges and 900+ programs of study. With an enrollment of 30,000 students, its undergraduate and graduate programs are repeatedly ranked among top national programs.
A Critical Moment for Accessibility in Online Education
A Critical Moment for Accessibility in Online Education When the normalcy of a system is severely shaken, what follows is a critical moment that holds the potential for dramatic change. This window of opportunity is well understood by policy makers who, in times of displaced expectations, find a public more acquiescent to change, and
Structured Approach to College Rankings
A Proven Structured Approach to College Rankings Consulting focusEDU assists colleges and universities that want to improve their U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. U S News college rankings consulting structure for improved rankings is a structured process which offers rankings assistance to a college or university. Our model utilizes a
focusEDU Adds Services to Assist Higher Education Leadership
focusEDU Adds Services to Assist Higher Education Leadership focusEDU adds services to assist higher education. Founded in 2014 by a team of nationally acclaimed leaders from the core operational areas of enrollment management, admissions, financial aid, registrar and student financial services, focusEDU has established strong partnering relationships with the leaders of the higher education community. Over these
Meghan Solomon Joins focusEDU as Consulting Director
Meghan Solomon Joins focusEDU as Consulting Director Dr. Meghan E. Solomon is an accomplished instructor and instructional designer known for her ability to leverage her rich knowledge of instructional design and her experience in the classroom to design quality courses. Dr. Solomon has over 15 years’ experience in higher education teaching a diverse student
Enrollment as a Lens on Higher Education
Enrollment As a Lens on Higher Education If the days of being able to work decentrally are over and we cannot afford to do two or three or five separate tactics, then finding ways to optimize internal intelligence and collaboration are past due. Here are some fresh ways to get the individual things we
Remote Interim Leadership in Enrollment Management
Remote Interim Leadership in Enrollment Services During Covid-19 Remote interim leadership in enrollment services adds value, and that added value can be even greater during this time of uncertainty in higher education. When a top enrollment services administrator leaves the institution, it can be a difficult time for the office and the institution. Ideally,
Joanne Nicoll Joins focusEDU as Consulting Director
Joanne Nicoll Joins focusEDU as Consulting Director Joanne Nicoll joins focusEDU as Consulting Director. Joanne Metzger Nicoll, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized leader and consultant in instructional design and development. Dr. Nicoll served as Associate Director for Instructional Design and Faculty Development in the Center for Teaching and Learning and a faculty member in the School
Best Practices for On-Line and Remote Classes
Moving On-Campus Courses to On-Line Classes In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions have canceled on-campus courses and are struggling to substitute on-line courses as an academically acceptable alternative means of instruction. However, quickly converting on-campus courses to on-line classes can be a challenging, complex, costly, and both time- and resource-consuming project.
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Accessibility Planning Part 01 – Background
This first video in the "Accessibility Planning" series provides background information on accessibility, including the definition of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) accessibility, statistics on disabilities, and why accessibility is important. See https://laudatotech.com/accessibility-planning-part-01-background/ for more information, including a text version of this recording for those who prefer text to video. https://www.youtube.com/embed/DFdvEqNeRrM
Accessibility Planning Part 00 – Overview
This overview video to the "Accessibility Planning" series explains the purpose and intended audience of the series and outlines the topics covered in subsequent videos. See https://laudatotech.com/accessibility-planning-part-00-overview/ for more information, including a text version of this recording for those who prefer text to video. https://www.youtube.com/embed/sdIjXW3rpJU
Creating Accessible Documents in Word – Part 9 – Using Fonts
This is part 9 in the "Creating Accessible Documents in Word" series, dealing with using fonts. The session addresses font attributes such as typeface, weight, size, serif, and width, and their impacts on readability and accessibility. Please see https://laudatotech.com/resources/ for more information, including a written alternative (not a transcript) to this video. https://www.youtube.com/embed/9hOCZc6kHm8
Accessibility Planning Part 00 – Overview
This overview video to the "Accessibility Planning" series explains the purpose and intended audience of the series and outlines the topics covered in subsequent videos. Click here (https://laudatotech.com/accessibility-planning-part-00-overview/) for more information, including a text version of this recording for those who prefer text to video. https://www.youtube.com/embed/sdIjXW3rpJU
Creating Accessible Documents in Word – Part 8 – Color
This is part 8 in the "Creating Accessible Documents in Word" series. This episode deals with issues related to the use of color, including color blindness, color contrast, and aesthetics. Please click here (https://laudatotech.com/resources/) for more information. https://www.youtube.com/embed/8O5kPMj7D4k
Creating Accessible Documents in Word – Part 0 – Overview
Creating Accessible Documents in Word – Part 0: Overview This brief presentation introduces the "Creating Accessible Documents in Word" series, covering the reasons for addressing accessibility in word, common accessibility issues, and topics covered in this series. Below you can find both the embedded video guide from our YouTube channel. Click here to view a PDF
Creating Accessible Documents in Word Part 01 Headings and Styles
Creating Accessible Documents in Word – Part 1: Headings & Styles In this inaugural accessibility guide, Nick Laudato, Vice President of focusEDU gives a brief introduction to the importance of using accessibility-friendly techniques in the composition of Word documents, even when they appear to be very basic. Specifically, this guide highlights Microsoft Word’s styles, headings,
Accessibility Composition of Contrast in Word Documents Part – 07 – Contrast
Accessibility composition in contrast is the seventh recording in the series on "Creating Accessible Documents in Word." This focusEDU episode is focused on contrast, that is, the differences between two colors or shades of grey that make them distinguishable from one another. Sufficient contrast is critical for people with low vision. Our team of highly
Creating Accessible Documents in Word Part – 06 – Alt Text
This is part 6 in the series on "Creating Accessible Documents in Word." This session explains the use of alternative text to describe non-text content, such as photos, charts, and other graphic objects.
Creating Accessible Documents in Word Part 05 – Tables
This video, fifth in the series on "Creating Accessible Documents in Word," addresses the use of "tables" within Word, with examples of how the NVDA screen reader reads tables and how to format tables for accessibility.