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 leaders in higher education to critically assess and be prepared to refocus strategic initiatives. The higher education consulting services and insights offers by these articles are valuable for the leaders of higher education.
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 the 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.
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Financial Aid Equity and Institutional Revenue Impact
Financial Aid Strategies and College Revenue Impact In the 1980’s and 90’s, the cost of attending private institutions outpaced the rate of inflation, making it harder for institutions to enroll students. The cost was far greater than what families could afford, and financial assistance was limited. Financial aid strategy was almost non-existent. If institutions
Increase Enrollment by Diversifying Student Cohorts
Increase Enrollment by Diversifying Student Cohorts Increase enrollment by diversifying student cohorts. While higher education continues to face headwinds driven by economic, demographic, and social shifts, we are beginning to see some positive trajectory in key areas, according to Education Dynamic’s, Survey of the Higher Education Landscape. Unemployment has just recently returned to pre-pandemic
Remote Interim Leadership in Enrollment Management
Remote Interim Leadership in Admissions, Registrar and Financial Aid 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.
Coaching and Mentoring for Leadership Development
Coaching and Mentoring for Leadership Mentoring and coaching for leadership development should be a strategic management tool. A key administrative leader has left your institution. Maybe it was a retirement or another opportunity in higher ed administration. The initial institutional response may be, “We need to do a search, and we may wish
Title IV Compliance and A133 Audit Findings
Title IV Compliance and A133 Audit Findings NSLDS reporting and A133 audit Title IV compliance findings can be a challenge for Higher Education Institutions. Proper enrollment reporting is critical for institutions to be in compliance with federal financial aid regulations. To ensure accuracy in institutional accountability, all non-Federal entities that expend $500,000 or more
Process Mapping: A Strategic Approach for the Optimization of Work
Process Mapping: A Strategic Approach for Optimization of Work The consulting team at focusEDU has the process mapping expertise to assist the leadership of higher education. Can higher education improve admissions, financial aid, registrar and student financial services? When one closely examines how our higher education institutions perform work, the answer is typically “it
Michele Neary joins focusEDU as Consulting Director
Michele Neary joins focusEDU as Consulting Director Michele Neary has joined the team of focusEDU as a Consulting Director. Most recently, Michele served as the University Registrar at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana for ten years before leaving in August 2022 to pursue her interests in consulting. She has worked in the profession for
Kathy Posey Joins focusEDU as a Consulting Director
Kathy Posey Joins focusEDU as a Consulting Director Kathy Posey joins focusEDU as a Consulting Director. Kathy is an accomplished higher education professional with more than 15 years of experience in assessing Registrar offices to determine strengths and challenges, recommend and implement change, and develop solutions with and without technology. Kathy’s higher education career
Siham Doughman Joins focusEDU as Consulting Director
Siham Doughman Joins focusEDU as Consulting Director After a stellar and acclaimed career in the registrar profession,Siham Doughman joined focusEDU as a Consulting Director to share her skills and insights with the leadership of the higher education community. Siham has over 25 years of professional experience in U.S. and international universities; over 15 years
Lou Jimenez Joins focusEDU as Consulting Director
Lou Jimenez Joins focusEDU as Consulting Director Prior to joining focusEDU in July of 2022, Lou Jimenez was the University Registrar at Texas State University. A position he held for seven years before retiring in February 2021. He has worked in the profession for over 26 years He began his career as Associate Registrar
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Creating Accessible Documents in Word – Part 9 – Video- 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 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. 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.
Creating Accessible Documents in Word Part 04 – Loose Ends
Accessibility composition of Word documents for managing "loose ends" is the fourth in a series of video podcasts on "Creating Accessible Documents in Word." Compliant documents is illustrated in the importance of "Loose Ends" in readability and shows how to use "loose ends" within Microsoft Word to improve the accessibility of your document.