Hey there Reader, I trust you’ve been finding pockets of brilliance in the everyday. I’ve been down the rabbit hole of data and emerging tools, surfacing now with some nuggets I hope you’ll find as fascinating as I do. A Little Secret I’ve Been Sitting On: There’s this tool I’ve been leveraging for a foundational campaign, and let me tell you, the results are real! In under a month, we improved open rates from 42%-69% and had a 4.6x spike in replies. (Yes, you read that right). My favorite prompts: “Hey, are you still with [company].... are you connected with [fellow donor]?”. “Did you ever visit [local landmark to their city]?”. "I saw on LinkedIn you went to [University]. Did you you ever [University Tradition]?". Best part: It plays nice with LinkedIn, Chat GPT, and more than 50 other major platforms. Analytics Driven Strategic Planning: Thrilled to share glimpses of an ambitious project I've embarked on, which leverages an intricate tapestry of data sets—IPEDS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CIP-SOC Crosswalk, and ONET. I'm hoping this analysis not only uncovers the current state of academic program alignment with labor market demands but also forecasts future trends to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, etc. Here's a quick glimpse. Cracking the Code with Chat GPT: Leveraging Chat GPT for a SWOT analysis might sound silly, until you've played with some of it's GPT Plug-ins. Here's the exact prompt I'm using to augment and speed up analysis: "“Do a detailed SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) of each of these programs with regards to [specific data point A] and [specific data point b] using the attached data set. After you've done so, also provide a high-level summary of your FINDINGS.“ Your Move, Reader: With great tools at our disposal, the question is no longer if but how we can transform the future of higher education together. What’s caught your eye? Talk soon, Mike P.S. Ready to get down to the nitty-gritty of engagement or strategic planning? Let's talk... I'd love to hear more about your goals for Spring. |
With 17 years of insider experience, I specialize in enhancing university operations and strategic planning through innovative, data-driven solutions. Receive succinct, powerful insights on using analytics and artificial intelligence to streamline operations, increase ROI, and make informed strategic decisions. Ideal for C-suite aiming to do more with less and navigate the complexities of modern higher education.
Hi there Reader, Happy Fall, my friend... A few insights at the fringes of the Academy. Sara Howard on Agile Leadership in Higher Ed Sara Howard, Chief of Staff at Tally, offers critical insights into driving change in complex environments. Agility in Higher Ed: By blending design thinking with Scrum Agile, Sara has successfully shortened the timeline for institutional change, turning years into months. Crisis Leadership: Her experience during the pandemic and after George Floyd’s murder...
Hi there Reader, I hope opening went as well as possible... Per usual, I'm writing with a few updates at the fringes of the academy... Balancing Operational Costs with Excellence: Insights from Michael Avaltroni In my recent conversation with Michael Avaltroni, President of Fairleigh Dickinson University, we dove deep into the complex balancing act of managing operational costs while delivering top-notch educational experiences. Michael shared how institutions must navigate the push and pull...
Hi there Reader, Fall is coming, my friend! I spent some time studying Nathan Grawe's "The Agile College" massive data sets. A few counterintuitive takeaways (accompanying data visualizations below). Impact of Parental Education on Enrollment in National Universities: Students whose parents hold a bachelor's degree are much more likely to attend national universities (ranked between 51st and 100th) compared to those whose parents do not have a degree. This disparity could influence the...