How can we imagine a new university?In this existential moment for higher education, the corporate university is not the only end point possible – we can imagine so much more. David J. Staley offers 10 new ways of thinking about universities, in this excerpt from his book ‘Alternative Universities: Speculative Design for Innovation in Higher Education’David J. StaleyOhio State University
How to attract students who think they cannot afford higher educationAs people all over the world grapple with rising costs, what can universities do to ease the financial burden of higher education from the very start of the process? Brooke Wilson offers her adviceBrooke WilsonColorado State University Global
Transforming admissions for first-gen university student enrolmentAttracting and retaining first-generation college students is a pivotal goal for higher education institutions seeking diversity and inclusivity, and college admissions faculty play a vital role in this process, writes Juan EspinozaJuan EspinozaVirginia Tech
How can UK universities support applicants affected by student visa changes?Higher education institutions can help international students feel welcome and valued through their admissions processes, administrative help and public statements, writes Kate MorseKate MorseSheffield Hallam University
A smorgasbord of strategies to help international students feel includedEducators are like seasoned chefs with the responsibility to create harmonious classroom environments that celebrate the flavourful cultural diversity of international students, says John Sinclair John SinclairColorado State University Global
Campus webinar: Build a successful student recruitment strategyFour experts from Campus+ institutions discuss how student recruitment is responding to the latest trends in higher education, strategies to engage hard-to-reach students and ways to use data to drive recruitment campaignsTracey Allen, Gabriela Krupa, Julissa Duran, Adeola Matthew Virginia Tech, Claremont Graduate University, Montclair State University, The University of the West Indies
Diversity efforts in academia are leading us towards ‘the oppression Olympics’EDI campaigns and scholarships keep failing ethnic minority students because they are tailored to the needs of white people, writes Andrea E.L. AttipoeAndrea E.L. AttipoeImperial College London
New students leaving care need extra support to beat the odds (again)Corin Barton says universities must recognise the various impacts a lack of family support can have on care-experienced students and offers simple steps to promote success Corin BartonThe University of Law
Student ambassadors, key players in widening participationHow to design and run an effective student ambassador programme to support widening participation initiatives Ellie NikUniversity of Technology Sydney
How to support more international student applications UK universities can increase their appeal for international students with better transparency and support through the application and enrolment process, Christina Matthews explainsChristina Matthews Aston University
It’s time to change the narrative on affirmative actionPublic institutions are doing the heavy lifting of levelling the playing field, writes Jonathan Koppell, so let’s amplify access-oriented institutions as instruments of social mobility and equityJonathan KoppellMontclair State University
Universities need to show – not just tell – students what they stand forModern institutions must adjust their recruitment approaches from data-driven to values-driven and realise the importance of putting people, not spreadsheets, first, says Dan BarcroftDan BarcroftUniversity of Sheffield
The benefits of leveraging student interest groupsKelly Lam shares how universities can work with student interest groups to add value to the university and aid student developmentKelly LamThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The affirmative action ban is not an insurmountable setback for higher education accessAs institutions across the US reassess their admissions practices following the ban on affirmative action, the president of Arizona State University Michael Crow points to many other ways institutions can increase the diversity of their students Michael CrowArizona State University
What can we do about the diversity problem in economics?A group of economists offer five ideas on how to allow and encourage wider access to economics degrees – which is crucial to making the discipline more effectiveAmrit Amirapu, Amanda Gosling, Emma GormanUniversity of Kent, University of Westminster
Supreme Court holds affirmative action unconstitutional, so what’s next?The Supreme Court’s recent ruling against race-conscious admissions means many US universities must review their policies and practices to avoid further legal action. Audrey J. Anderson offers some useful first stepsAudrey J. Anderson Bass, Berry & Sims Plc
How can universities reduce stress for students during the application processSimple steps universities can take to make the applications process less stressful for aspiring studentsRosemary BaiChinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
Steps to address the operational challenges of widening participationWell-being assistance, leadership development and mentoring opportunities are key to supporting students from under-represented groups. Here, Angus Howat details a programme for widening participation from a Kiwi perspectiveAngus HowatTe Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Scaling success: how to retain the student experience when going for growthImproving experience and outcomes for students while growing requires changes to student support and better understanding of their needs, says Alice WilbyAlice WilbyUniversity College Birmingham
Co-branding the student journey from further to higher educationFacilitating an early link with HE through campus visits and support with applications can improve progression to and success at university, says Melanie PitcherMelanie PitcherCanterbury Christ Church University
THE podcast: an interview with Dame Madeleine Atkins, president of Lucy Cavendish College, CambridgeDame Madeleine, a veteran leader in English higher education, shares how a widening access initiative led to the elite college admitting more than 90 per cent of students from state schools Madeleine AtkinsUniversity of Cambridge
How to build a stronger pipeline for international student recruitment Iain Sloan explores four key strategies universities can introduce to help them continue to attract overseas students in challenging timesIain SloanEllucian
Actions to help your university stand out in a crowdWith competition for students fiercer than ever in the higher education sector, Ayten Ordu outlines some of the ways universities can achieve higher visibilityAyten OrduNear East University
Campus webinar: University admissions: a flawed process?University admissions experts from Campus+ institutions in the UK, US and Canada discuss where the system is falling short, how to make it fairer for all and how AI is impacting admissionsRick Clark, Juan Espinoza, Norma Rodenburg, Dilshad SheikhGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities, Virginia Tech, University of Alberta, Arden University
What’s next for university admissions? With the impact of AI on applications as yet unknown and affirmative action in the US at risk, Rick Clark speculates on the future of college admissions. His hope? That the student voice finds new ways to be heard Rick ClarkGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
How university leaders can use an ‘innovation for’ mindset to drive enrolmentFor US colleges and universities, the key to turning around falling enrolment is to directly respond to concerns about affordability, accessibility and return on investment, writes Nivine Megahed Nivine MegahedNational Louis University
Business school recruitment: disrupt to diversifyA genuine commitment to championing greater equity, diversity and inclusion in business education demands a paradigm shift, says Arnold LongboyArnold LongboyLondon Business School
Improving admissions: how to evaluate the whole studentBrooke Wilson and Karin-Jill Magaziner Schneider discuss admissions criteria and how best to ensure the process considers the whole studentBrooke Wilson, Karin-Jill Magaziner Schneider Colorado State University Global
To improve the admission process, get faculty involvedFaculty collaboration with the undergraduate admission team can improve class participation, retention rates, course matches and funding yield – and help reduce misinformation about the process and decisionsRick ClarkGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Hidden stories in Indonesian names: you do not have a surname?Rosemary Bai shares knowledge about the Indonesian naming system, encouraging higher education institutions and staff to be aware of its uniqueness and handle Indonesian names with respect Rosemary BaiChinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
Offering students a ‘Big Green Gap Year’ has multiple rewardsJames Derounian makes the case for a gap year in which school-leavers can engage with university while tackling climate change and helping with community developmentJames DerounianUniversity of Bolton
A holistic approach to student support Student support, particularly for care-leavers or estranged students, is vital throughout their university journey – from pre-application to beyond graduation. Here, Fran Hornsby and Rebecca Clark offer tips for demonstrating genuine care as you do itFran Hornsby, Rebecca ClarkUniversity of York
Pay it forward: how to help students secure financial aidHow college administrators can help prospective and enrolled students secure financial aid to see them through higher education, by Aimee Huffstetler Aimee Huffstetler Gwynedd Mercy University
Universities must stop policing and surveilling international PGRsFrom controlling travel to failing to provide adequate support, universities’ treatment of international postgrads is harming the research community and the HE sectorTina Sikka, Heather ProctorNewcastle University
Universities must do better at bridging the gap between diversity and belongingLillian Nave outlines the three key interventions required for universities to help diverse students learn about, accept and participate in each other’s worlds Lillian NaveAppalachian State University
Flipping the university admissions process on its headWhy should it always be students who seek out their ‘best fit’ campus? It’s time for universities to rethink how they manage traditional admissions – and boost enrolment and diversity as they go, says Joe MorrisonJoe MorrisonConcourse
How to ensure college admissions are equitable and accessibleAs a first-generation college student, Aimee Huffstetler knows how daunting the application process can be. Now working in enrolment, she shares advice on what higher education administrators can do to ensure more equitable and accessible admissionsAimee Huffstetler Gwynedd Mercy University
Digital exclusion hits students hardest at the start of their journeyVLEs, intranets, sports and social apps – the digital ecosystem at university is vast. We must induct students into it quickly and carefully to prevent them falling behindClaire SmithUniversity of Sussex
How universities can ensure first-generation students and their families feel connectedA first-generation college student herself now working in enrolment, Aimee Huffstetler, shares insight into what administrators can do to ensure first-generation students and their families feel connected to their universityAimee Huffstetler Gwynedd Mercy University
Helping refugees get their qualifications recognisedTips for how higher education institutions and accreditation authorities can recognise refugees’ qualifications even when they cannot be fully documentedSjur BerganCouncil of Europe
The top three engagement challenges facing admissions teams and how to solve themWhether it's due to ‘ghosting’ or ‘student melt’, prospective students are harder than ever before to attract and hold on to, but a combination of tech and human solutions is at handArdis KadiuElement451
How to attract and support non-traditional students in higher educationHurdles and obstacles are created from the outset and then vice-chancellors wonder why their student population is not diverse, says Dilshad SheikhDilshad SheikhArden University
Educational gag orders could destroy the structure of higher educationUniversities and programmes could lose their accreditation and students could lose their financial aid if governors continue signing these legislative restrictionsJeremy C. YoungPEN America
Universities must take a more holistic approach to social mobilityFinancial support is only part of the equation – human and social capital are also crucial for helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds, says Andrew BurkeAndrew BurkeTrinity College Dublin
Are STEM admissions processes hindering our diversity efforts?The requirement for potential STEM students to have studied traditionally related subjects such as maths and physics seems outdated and unnecessary, says Judy RaperJudy RaperTEDI-London
Enrolment throws up issues to be balanced, not problems to be solvedEnrolment managers must realise an increasingly complex landscape doesn’t need a quick fix to a short-term challenge but rather a reasonable strategy for managing long-term tensionsSteve TaylorLiaison International
How to design early college programmes that foster success for under-represented studentsDavid Dugger explains what an early college programme should focus on in order to improve outcomes for students from under-represented groupsDavid DuggerEastern Michigan University
Widening access to postgraduate studies: from research to strategy to actionProviding equitable access into and through higher education is a constant battle, especially in postgraduate research, but barriers can be addressed when evidence is connected to action, as Diane Gill explains Diane GillThe University of Edinburgh
Graduate programmes have a lot to teach HE about enrolmentSteady increases in graduate enrolments have been one of the precious few bright spots during perhaps the most volatile period for higher education in recent memoryToby McChesney Santa Clara University
Has government investment in higher education equity been worth it?Evaluating the success of sector-wide initiatives is fraught, but there are some universal truths that should be considered, say Steven Howard and colleaguesSteven Howard, Sarah O'Shea, Kylie Lipscombe, Kellie Buckley-WalkerUniversity of Wollongong