The Real Cost of Chasing Numbers: Balancing Enrollment Pressures and Student Success

Teege Mettille, a veteran with over 20 years in higher education enrollment, discusses the growing challenges faced by admissions counselors and the potential impact on student engagement. Drawing from his book "The Admission Counselor Malaise," Mettille shares insights on the evolving landscape of college admissions and offers strategies for maintaining a balance between institutional needs and student success.

Key Discussion Points

Current Challenges in Higher Education Enrollment:

• Decreasing number of high school graduates and public funding
• Increasing skepticism about the value of college education
• Pressure on institutions to maintain and increase enrollment numbers

Impact on Admissions Counselors:

• Growing applicant pools without proportional staff increases
• Shift from student engagement to data management and administrative tasks
• Misalignment between job expectations and actual responsibilities

Effects on Student Engagement:

• Reduction in meaningful one-on-one interactions with prospective students
• Increased reliance on mass communication strategies
• Potential compromise in matching students with the right institutions

Strategies for Improvement:

• Leveraging technology to enhance personal connections
• Rethinking hiring and training practices for admissions counselors
• Focusing on yield rates through targeted, personalized outreach

Balancing Institutional Needs and Student Success:

• Recognizing the disconnect between revenue goals and counselor motivations
• Celebrating the human side of admissions work
• Adapting success metrics beyond pure enrollment numbers

Three Key Takeaways for University Presidents and Boards

1. Acknowledge the misalignment between institutional enrollment goals and admissions counselor motivations.
2. Focus on outperforming market position incrementally rather than attempting drastic changes.
3. Celebrate and support admissions counselors' mission-driven work in addition to meeting enrollment targets.

Final Thoughts

Mettille emphasizes the need for a balanced approach in college admissions, one that meets institutional needs while preserving the core mission of guiding students to their best-fit educational experiences. He calls for creativity and adaptability in addressing these challenges, highlighting the potential for technology and strategic planning to enhance rather than replace the human element in admissions.

Read the transcript on our website: https://changinghighered.com/impact-of-enrollment-pressure-on-admissions-teams-and-students/

#HigherEducation #HigherEdEnrollment #CollegeAdmissions

About Our Guest

Teege Mettille is a thought leader in the field of college admissions with extensive experience on both the institutional and vendor sides of the industry. As a speaker, his primary focus is on addressing and solving pressing issues within the college admissions profession, ensuring ethical practices, and promoting the well-being of students over mere enrollment numbers.  Teege is the author of the insightful book "The Admissions Counselor Malaise: Addressing the staff morale crisis in college admissions," which provides a critical yet constructive analysis of the current state of college admissions. The book has been praised for its candid approach to diagnosing systemic problems and offering actionable solutions for improvement. Teege's expertise and practical advice make it an invaluable resource for professionals in higher education.

About the Host

Dr. Drumm McNaughton is the founder, CEO, and Principal Consultant at The Change Leader, Inc. A highly sought-after higher education consultant with 20+ years of experience, Dr. McNaughton works with leadership, management, and boards of both U.S. and international institutions. His expertise spans key areas, including accreditation, governance, strategic planning, presidential onboarding, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances.

Dr. McNaughton’s approach combines a holistic methodology with a deep understanding of the contemporary and evolving challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide to ensure his clients succeed in their mission.