How to ensure adult learning success

Financial pressures, work demands, family responsibilities, and motivational factors can all contribute to higher dropout rates for adult learners. Balancing educational and personal commitments becomes even more challenging when institutions lack the tools needed to encourage degree completion. 

As an administrator at a higher education institution, you play a vital role in your student’s success. Integrating adult learning theory into your institutional improvement efforts can help you better support the unique needs of adult learners. Below, we’ll explore the principles behind adult learning theory and best practices for improving adult learner engagement and retention.  

What is adult learning theory, and why is it important?

There’s plenty of research about how children learn and absorb information — but what about adults? Returning students have unique motivations, experiences, and responsibilities that require nuanced adult learning strategies. A one-size-fits-all approach may not be relevant and engaging for these individuals. 

Pedagogy, the principles and methods used to teach children, differs widely from andragogy, the science of teaching adults and helping them learn. These distinct terms highlight that adults don’t necessarily process and retain information in the same manner as children. 

Here are the six andragogical principles developed by Malcolm Knowles that can help your institution develop an effective framework for adult learning success:

  1. Adults want to know the “why” behind their learning. 
  2. Adults are self-directed learners.
  3. Adults draw on their experiences and apply them to learning.
  4. Adults have a readiness to learn and want to know how it helps them achieve their goals.
  5. Adults learn best with problem-oriented concepts they can apply to real-life issues.
  6. Adults draw motivation internally and through self-determined incentives.

Adult learning theory plays a key role in educational and professional development. It’s an essential resource for educators and academic organizations that want to understand and accommodate the learning needs of adults.

Higher education institutions may also support adult learner success by tapping into real world contexts. By understanding how adults think and learn, your institution can equip learners with the skills they need to transfer their knowledge into their careers and everyday lives.

16 best practices for ensuring adult learning success

A commitment to continuous improvement strengthens your position as a steward of adult student success. We believe these tips and strategies can help you apply adult learning theory and guide your students to achieving their goals. 

1. Consider the experience and background of adult learners

While some adult learners may go through the traditional recruitment process, many already have some college credits or experience. Regardless, if they didn’t complete their degree, they had a reason — which is important to keep in mind. Going the extra mile to understand adult learners and recognize the barriers they face to graduating can make all the difference. 

Every student has unique concerns, accomplishments and experiences. Institutions would do well to interact with them on this front and develop deliberate efforts to understand their needs. 

2. Offer financial support for adults

Adult learners are at greater risk of dropping out of school due to a lack of financial and academic support. Given that adult learners often have more financial responsibilities, communicating your institution’s financial assistance can ultimately lead to greater retention rates. Whether or not your institution can offer major financial incentives to adult learners, it’s important to advertise how your organization alleviates financial burdens for adults, such as:

  • Scholarships specifically for returning students.
  • Programs for part-time learners.
  • Completion grants or end-of-program assistance.
  • Basic needs assistance (BNA).
  • Community resources.
  • Financial literacy and wellness programs.

3. Provide career and academic advising

Many adult learners likely have previous work experience or are balancing their education while working simultaneously. This means institutions must tailor career and academic advising to specific career paths. High-quality advising services can help adult learners make informed decisions about their future and better understand the specific skills they will gain from their program. Your institution can make adult students feel more committed to their degree with services like:

  • Career exploration. 
  • Counseling.
  • Course planning.
  • Group tutoring.
  • Job placement assistance.

4. Emphasize end goals in all student interactions

The path to degree completion is a rewarding yet challenging experience for many learners. You can guide adult students to success by helping them focus on the end from the very beginning. From the moment they enroll, every student should receive support in identifying specific end goals for their education. 

Communicate with students, show them the progress they’ve made, and address their concerns. For instance, an adult student who feels discouraged may feel supported by working with their advisor to maximize their schedule’s efficiency and build achievable goals. 

5. Help students improve time management skills

Adult learners juggle many obligations and responsibilities in addition to classes. Childcare, eldercare, work, and social commitments can take up significant time in their week, making it challenging to stay focused. Institutions can actively help students learn time management skills by acknowledging the demands they face and offering assistance. Your administration can go a long way by sharing resources that help them learn how to develop a balanced schedule and manage their time effectively. 

6. Highlight flexible learning options

Flexible scheduling options can make all the difference for adult learners with busy schedules. It’s not always realistic for adult students to fit their lives into a traditional academic calendar. When class schedules conflict with family priorities and work responsibilities, students may feel discouraged to continue on their adult learning path. Institutions make students feel understood and supported when they provide flexible and blended learning options that help them navigate their education and their lives, including:

  • Online or hybrid classes.
  • Virtual orientation.
  • Compressed courses.
  • Flexible course schedules.
  • Virtual workshops and training resources.
  • Evening and weekend classes.
  • Part-time programs.
  • Accelerated learning programs.
  • Multiple reentry terms.

7. Enhance student support staff

Advisors, professors, and administrators need to be in the loop when students face obstacles. Using assistive tools designed for student success, your institution can implement alerts and notifications that help staff prioritize adult learners who need immediate assistance. 

When your staff is better equipped to monitor student attendance and academic progress, they can proactively support the success and retention of all adult learners. Additionally, streamlining administrative tasks saves staff members valuable time throughout the day, allowing them to focus on connecting students with the right institutional resources. 

8. Remove barriers to readmissions

The decision to go back to school or complete a degree can be intimidating for some adult learners. It’s imperative that your higher education institution makes adult students feel welcome by easing the transition. Adult learners already have a lot on their plate — the last thing they need is to attempt to navigate an overwhelming admissions process. When adult learners are thinking about reenrolling in classes and land on your website, your messaging will quickly signify whether your institution is a good fit. 

For instance, does your institution have a readmission page? Do you use messaging to specifically welcome adult and nontraditional learners? Will potential returning students feel guided through the admission process?

Easing the readmissions process is a great first step — but don’t stop there! Establishing flexible admission policies creates the perfect opportunity to reevaluate your enrollment, registration, and onboarding processes. Adult learners want to choose an institution that empowers them to finish their degrees. 

Credits for prior learning (CPL), gathering transcripts, and recognized industry-validated certifications can encourage learners to retain college completion. Make your first impression count by lifting these barriers to entry and setting the stage for long-term success!

9. Implement a career-oriented curriculum

Adult learners expect some degree of balance between academic standards and career practicality, even those who have no specific career goals. As noted in the six andragogical principles above, adult learners want to know how they can apply their curriculum to the labor market after graduation. Institutions can implement these changes by:

  • Aligning programs with career goals.
  • Integrating practical skills.
  • Providing students with the knowledge they can share on resumes and applications.
  • Creating professional networks of mentors and potential employers.
  • Designing work-relevant courses and credentials.
  • Highlighting career support initiatives.
  • Embedding career guidance within academic programs.
  • Adapting existing career services to the lives of adult learners.

10. Promptly address student warning signs

Offering supportive services to adult students can yield little results when it’s too late. Early intervention is critical to keeping adult students motivated and encouraged to complete their academic path. With student success tools, your institution can collect and analyze student data and make informed intervention decisions. 

Identifying struggling students early makes it easier for your administration to provide the targeted support they need, such as tutoring, peer mentoring, or mental health services. Whether adult learners face financial, academic, or personal obstacles, your administration can prevent students from falling behind and dropping out by addressing their unique needs.

11. Empower advisors and team members 

Student engagement and retention is a collaborative effort. All faculty, staff members, administrators and adjunct instructors play a unique role in supporting each student on the path to success. While individual responsibilities can vary, a “whole-school” effort can support engaged learning and more effectively address student concerns. A team approach can also make adult learners feel understood and valued by your institution. 

To improve institutional-wide collaboration, consider giving faculty and staff access to professional development opportunities. A commitment to ongoing learning and improvement on a staff and faculty level can contribute to a culture of learning and collaboration. For example, you might cross-train professional advisors, faculty advisors, and student service staff. Having your professionals train each other in strategies specifically designed to help adult learners expands your institution’s ability to create solutions to their obstacles.

12. Individualize student experiences

A one-size-fits-all approach to higher education leaves little room for nuance. You can help set your institution apart by recognizing adult and nontraditional learners are more than a number in your program. Prioritize building genuine professional connections with adult learners by making every interaction personal. 

For instance, an adult learner is much more likely to feel connected to faculty that remember unique aspects of their lives, goals, and professional achievements. An individualized student experience emphasizes one-on-one support that meets the unique needs of adult learners.

13. Engage adult learners in campus life

Your institution can foster a supportive community by encouraging adult learners to participate in campus life. Regardless of their educational or professional experience, all learners deserve to build connections and get involved with peers. This sentiment is particularly important for combatting the assumptions that adult learners are too old or too busy to engage in campus activities. Adult learners can receive the same benefits of social involvement after readmission as traditional learners straight out of high school.

Consider establishing opportunities unique to working adults and nontraditional learners that help them feel connected to your institution:

  • Athletic events
  • Civic and service opportunities
  • Employer-sponsored career development workshops
  • Mental health services
  • Job fairs
  • Adult housing
  • Fitness centers 
  • Institutional facilities 
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Concerts and plays

14. Prioritize communication and transparency

Poor communication can significantly impact student motivation. Institutions cannot effectively meet each adult learner’s needs if students struggle to get in touch with teachers, advisors, and other staff. All learners deserve transparency about their academic journey. However, keeping students informed is an obligation many institutions fail to meet. Your institution is responsible for empowering and engaging students by communicating with them and addressing their questions and concerns. 

Administrators, instructors, advisors, and professors should check in with their students at scheduled points throughout the term to ensure they’re adjusting properly and feel supported in the courses. Establishing effective communication creates an atmosphere of transparency, making it easier for adult learners to get the critical information they need to succeed. 

15. Collect and implement feedback

Feedback is an incredibly valuable tool that benefits your students, faculty, and the entire administration. If your institution wants to bolster student success and retention rates, it can be helpful to go right to the source. Collect feedback directly from students and staff to learn exactly what your institution can do to support engagement and degree completion. This feedback will offer explicit insights into the services and programs that are working well and the ones that need improvement. 

Entice students to fill out surveys, send in comments, or respond to an open forum tailored to their unique experiences and needs as adult learners. This strategy will enable your administration to properly allocate resources and retention efforts where they’re needed most. 

16. Leverage the power of automation

You can streamline your efforts to improve the adult learner experience with student success software. Technology-based retention solutions, including predictive analytics tools, enable your institution to:

  • Collect, manage, and measure student data.
  • Identify areas of improvement.
  • Communicate with students.
  • Gather information about attendance and academic performance.
  • Provide targeted support.
  • Automate repetitive tasks.
  • Enhance accessibility and flexibility for adult learners.
  • Create personalized learning experiences.
  • improve institutional research and planning.
  • Identify at-risk students. 

By leveraging a student support system with these capabilities, you can cultivate actionable steps to improving student retention.

Support adult learner success with Watermark

The challenges of adult learner engagement and retention continue to evolve. With these best practices, your higher education institution can welcome this unique population of students and facilitate their transitions. Consider leveraging the power of data to better support student success.

At Watermark, it’s our mission to help higher education institutions enhance student outcomes by flagging disengagement and employing data-driven insights. Watermark Student Success & Engagement solution is a unified platform that enables a holistic view of each student’s journey. Guided student pathways allow you to monitor student progress and implement proactive support for adult learners. Request a demo today to learn how we can help you fuel continuous improvement. 

MORE HELPFUL ARTICLES
Teaching creative problem-solving: Strategies for advisors and professors
Blog

Teaching creative problem-solving: Strategies for advisors and professors

Read Blog →
How to help students understand and navigate the FAFSA
Blog

How to help students understand and navigate the FAFSA

Read Blog →
Go beyond retention: How to strategically plan for student success
Blog

Go beyond retention: How to strategically plan for student success

Read Blog →
An assessment of high-impact practices (HIP) for educational institutions
Blog

An assessment of high-impact practices (HIP) for educational institutions

Read Blog →
Blog

Legislation’s impact on diversity in higher education

Read Blog →
Gen P: How to anticipate their expectations
Blog

Gen P: How to anticipate their expectations

Read Blog →
Blog

Evaluation 101: What higher education institutions should consider when evaluating professors

Read Blog →
Blog

11 tips for choosing an educational intelligence software partner

Read Blog →
Blog

3 tips to improve your online teaching

Read Blog →
Blog

3 ways disruption makes assessment more relevant

Read Blog →
Blog

4 best practices for sustaining institutional effectiveness in a crisis

Read Blog →
Blog

4 questions every campus should ask about assessment

Read Blog →
Blog

4 ways to improve student engagement

Read Blog →
Blog

4 ways to make curriculum mapping easier

Read Blog →
Blog

4 ways to simplify the accreditation process

Read Blog →
Blog

10 best practices for higher education data security

Read Blog →
Blog

5 criteria for effective goal management

Read Blog →
Blog

Assessment Planning with Watermark Outcomes Assessment Projects

Read Blog →
Blog

Assessment innovation at community colleges: a NILOA-led conversation

Read Blog →
Blog

Assessment: how to write clear outcomes

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark’s responsible use of AI statement

Read Blog →
Blog

Accelerating faculty activity reporting

Read Blog →
Blog

Increasing course evaluation response rates at your institution

Read Blog →
Blog

7 tips To avoid survey fatigue

Read Blog →
Blog

How AI will transform higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

6 lessons from educational insights to increase student engagement

Read Blog →
Blog

7 ways a survey solution connects you with students and each other

Read Blog →
Blog

6 keys to effective communication with students

Read Blog →
Blog

How curriculum mapping helps students learn more

Read Blog →
Blog

Conducting a curriculum gap analysis

Read Blog →
Blog

10 ways ePortfolios support distance learning

Read Blog →
Blog

6 reasons to use Faculty Success (formerly Digital Measures) to power faculty web profiles

Read Blog →
Blog

6 things peer reviewers wish you knew about HLC accreditation

Read Blog →
Blog

6 tips for conducting effective academic program reviews

Read Blog →
Blog

7 best practices for engaging faculty in activity reporting with Walden University

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Student Data for the Improvement of Student and Institutional Success

Read Blog →
Blog

How emerging technology can help you fulfill the promise of assessment

Read Blog →
Blog

How faculty profiles can help track progression toward tenure

Read Blog →
Blog

How having labor market data can help colleges and universities

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Watermark Student Learning & Licensure for colleges of education

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Watermark Student Learning & Licensure for colleges of social work and counseling

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Student Learning & Licensure To Support Faculty and Students With edTPA Templates

Read Blog →
Blog

How to use data to improve campus learning

Read Blog →
Blog

How technology can improve how you’re building, managing, and supporting the faculty and academic affairs staff

Read Blog →
Blog

Using technology to make assessment more meaningful and sustainable

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Technology to Support Prospective Students

Read Blog →
Blog

ePortfolios for students: digital portfolio tips & tricks for success

Read Blog →
Blog

How to ensure education equity in the age of AI

Read Blog →
Blog

How higher ed can benefit from open data

Read Blog →
Blog

How Howard University Makes Use of Technology for a Competitive Edge

Read Blog →
Blog

The analysis of assessment professional roles and activities

Read Blog →
Blog

A foundational guide for mentoring students

Read Blog →
Blog

How Often Do You Need To Submit an Accreditation Self-Study?

Read Blog →
Blog

What is educational impact?

Read Blog →
Blog

How academic program reviews help ensure curriculum relevance and future readiness

Read Blog →
Blog

Effective data-sharing strategies for assessment professionals

Read Blog →
Blog

The secret to student success at community college

Read Blog →
Blog

A comprehensive guide to conducting academic program reviews in higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

How Online Course Evaluations Help Improve Instructional Course Quality

Read Blog →
Blog

How to align your campus around your strategic goals

Read Blog →
Blog

How our tools can assist with assessment

Read Blog →
Blog

An overview of SACSCOC accreditation

Read Blog →
Blog

How to assess internship readiness of students

Read Blog →
Blog

Insight-Inspired Progress at Engage 2022

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark Insights vs. EAB

Read Blog →
Blog

How To Use Faculty Evaluation Data

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark vs. Element451

Read Blog →
Blog

How predictive analytics helps improve student enrollment

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark vs. Starfish

Read Blog →
Blog

The Key to Achieving Equity in Education

Read Blog →
Blog

How to empower students with edtech solutions

Read Blog →
Blog

Identifying and Supporting Gifted Students

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark Partners With Concourse Syllabus to Offer a Comprehensive Syllabus Management Solution

Read Blog →
Blog

How to implement data-driven decision-making in higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark Shares: The Teachers Who Inspired Us

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark’s focus on creating accessible systems

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Leverage Curriculum Mapping to Meet Your Institution’s Needs

Read Blog →
Blog

How to prevent summer melt this year

Read Blog →
Blog

What are IT leaders saying about tech transformation in higher ed?

Read Blog →
Blog

Empowering faculty collaboration and engagement: Tools and techniques for success

Read Blog →
Blog

How program review committees can use labor market data to improve student outcomes

Read Blog →
Blog

Looking to Become Faculty? What Doctoral Students & Postdocs Should Know

Read Blog →
Blog

End-of-course survey 101

Read Blog →
Blog

Program effectiveness survey questions

Read Blog →
Blog

What Is a Course Evaluation?

Read Blog →
Blog

What is Equity in Education?

Read Blog →
Blog

Promoting a Growth Mindset for Student Success

Read Blog →
Blog

The new faculty member’s guide to accreditation

Read Blog →
Blog

What is planning and self-study software used for in higher education?

Read Blog →
Blog

What makes direct and indirect assessment so difficult?

Read Blog →
Blog

The Intrinsic Purpose of Student Surveys

Read Blog →
Blog

The Importance of Co-Curricular Programs in Student Success

Read Blog →
Blog

The Outcomes of Success Coaching

Read Blog →
Blog

How to put your institution’s data to work to make planning easier

Read Blog →
Blog

What’s Your “Why?” Understanding the Value of Outcomes Reporting

Read Blog →
Blog

The Positive Impact of Success Coaching on Community College Students

Read Blog →
Blog

The Importance of Assessment in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Identifying and Implementing Graduate Student Retention Strategies

Read Blog →
Blog

How can higher education reignite a passion for learning?

Read Blog →
Blog

Quality Assurance, Self-Study, and Assessment Technology at Community Colleges: A NILOA-Led Conversation

Read Blog →
Blog

“A radical rethink”: How CV imports transform faculty activity reporting

Read Blog →
Blog

The Secret to SACSCOC Accreditation Success

Read Blog →
Blog

Why data is the catalyst for personalizing education

Read Blog →
Blog

The Top 6 Challenges College Students Face

Read Blog →
Blog

Higher Education Act Reauthorization: What Colleges and Universities Need To Know

Read Blog →
Blog

An Overview of Regional vs. National Accreditation

Read Blog →
Blog

Overcoming the Unique Challenge of Assessment at Community College

Read Blog →
Blog

The Why Behind Curriculum Mapping

Read Blog →
Blog

Responsible AI adoption for higher education instructors

Read Blog →
Blog

Is Retention More Profitable Than Enrollment?

Read Blog →
Blog

Rubric-Based Assessments: Usage and Benefits

Read Blog →
Blog

The Growing Importance of College Course Reviews

Read Blog →
Blog

Engage Conference Throughout the Years

Read Blog →
Blog

Why Faculty Diversity Matters

Read Blog →
Blog

SACSCOC Accreditation: 8 Things Peer Reviewers Want You to Know

Read Blog →
Blog

Three Building Blocks of Essential Course Content

Read Blog →
Blog

Engaging in Service as a Faculty Member or Administrator

Read Blog →
Blog

Setting goals for faculty annual reviews

Read Blog →
Blog

How to improve the assessment process by simplifying process management

Read Blog →
Blog

Why Is Student Success So Important for Higher Education?

Read Blog →
Blog

Three Integration Essentials to Improve Your Course Evaluation Process

Read Blog →
Blog

How to enhance your curriculum to meet current labor market needs

Read Blog →
Blog

Tips for Professors: Strategies to Foster Equity in the Classroom

Read Blog →
Blog

Why It’s a Great Time for New Tech in Higher Ed

Read Blog →
Blog

Why Mentoring Matters

Read Blog →
Blog

Why Predictive Analytics Is Crucial for Maximizing College Retention Efforts

Read Blog →
Blog

How to ensure student support from prospect to enrollee

Read Blog →
Blog

Harnessing data analytics to enhance faculty performance and development

Read Blog →
Blog

The Role of a Student Success Administrator in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Course Evaluations: Are We Asking Questions about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging?

Read Blog →
Blog

The Evolution of Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Exploring the “Why” Behind Change Resistance in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Factors That Influence Student Engagement in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Watermark to help faculty close the loop on assessment

Read Blog →
Blog

Building bridges: Strengthening the faculty-student connection for academic success

Read Blog →
Blog

Faculty tips for surviving the end of the semester

Read Blog →
Blog

Finding Solutions: Closing the Gender Enrollment and Retention Gap in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

For efficient accreditation reporting, a culture shift is necessary

Read Blog →
Blog

From professor to product architect: Brian Robinson

Read Blog →
Blog

How To Prepare for End-of-Course Evaluations

Read Blog →
Blog

Getting faculty on board with assessment

Read Blog →
Blog

Get the Important Answers With an All-in-One Course Evaluation Solution

Read Blog →
Blog

Going Above & Beyond: Measuring Faculty Activity During a Crisis

Read Blog →
Blog

Preparing for the Growing Role of Student Affairs 

Read Blog →
Blog

Guided Academic Pathways: Student Success Starts With a Plan

Read Blog →
Blog

High-impact practices in higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

Removing data silos in higher ed with technology

Read Blog →
Blog

How to create a culture of continuous improvement at your college

Read Blog →
Blog

Data management strategies for higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

How higher education can be more environmentally sustainable

Read Blog →
Blog

Cost containment guide: How higher ed tech can help

Read Blog →
Blog

How Student Success Technology Can Help Institutions With Declining Enrollment

Read Blog →
Blog

Accreditation challenges – and how top institutions are solving them

Read Blog →
Blog

A map for your accreditation journey

Read Blog →
Blog

The accreditation process for two-year schools

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Assess Career Readiness in College Students

Read Blog →
Blog

Long-Term Adjuncts: What You Should Know

Read Blog →
Blog

Advancing assessment practices with Watermark Planning & Self-Study

Read Blog →
Blog

9 assessment trends to watch for in 2024

Read Blog →
Blog

Assessing the Reliability of Student Feedback in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Assessment trends: how to evolve your assessment strategy

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark releases initial results of study aimed at closing the higher education equity gap for minority males

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Become a Higher Education Administrator

Read Blog →
Blog

Benefits of ePortfolios for technical colleges

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Build a Culture of Assessment in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Leveraging Watermark – Blackboard integration: Powerful insights throughout your assessment cycle

Read Blog →
Blog

Tips for success coaching young men

Read Blog →
Blog

9 tips to improve student satisfaction in higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

Three Things You Need for a (Productive) Data-Informed Discussion

Read Blog →
Blog

Tips for Faculty When Writing a Letter of Recommendation

Read Blog →
Blog

Tips for mastering the CAEP accreditation process

Read Blog →
Blog

Why You Should Care About the Performance of Other Educational Institutions

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Improve Faculty Engagement for Student Success

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Choose a Higher Education Assessment Software

Read Blog →
Blog

Tips for Engaging Underperforming Students

Read Blog →
Blog

Why You Should Consolidate Your Tech Stack

Read Blog →
Blog

8 Strategies When Starting a New Academic Position

Read Blog →
Blog

Inspiring students to perform their best

Read Blog →
Blog

Improving institutional effectiveness with Watermark Planning & Self-Study

Read Blog →
Blog

How to connect programs to occupations with curriculum mapping

Read Blog →
Blog

How to keep students engaged over summer break

Read Blog →
Blog

Women in STEM: Stacy Becker Helps Keep Watermark Products Accessible

Read Blog →
Blog

COVID conversations: 5 dos and don’ts for adjusting your course evaluation strategy

Read Blog →
Blog

How to improve parent engagement with data

Read Blog →
Blog

COVID-related resources for higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

5 Tips for Faculty When Writing a Letter of Recommendation

Read Blog →
Blog

Dr. Linda Ludwig mentors Watermark clients; she’s walked in their shoes

Read Blog →
Blog

Top 5 Challenges for Student Retention

Read Blog →
Blog

Student success: 12 higher ed trends for 2024

Read Blog →
Blog

How to improve student academic planning

Read Blog →
Blog

You Say Tomato, I Say Tomato: Are Student Performance and Student Learning Outcomes the Same Thing?

Read Blog →
Blog

Student Success Best Practices: The Perfect Combination

Read Blog →
Blog

Your Strategy for Assessment During COVID: Keep Calm & Collect On

Read Blog →
Blog

Characteristics of a Student Prepared for College

Read Blog →
Blog

10 ways to go beyond orientation for student success

Read Blog →
Blog

Improving Student Retention at Technical Schools

Read Blog →
Blog

How to conquer 5 common assessment challenges

Read Blog →
Blog

Student Success: Fostering a Growth Mindset

Read Blog →
Blog

Success Coaching for a Personalized Student Advising Experience

Read Blog →
Blog

Improve Student Retention With Predictive Analytics

Read Blog →
Blog

The Importance of Success Coaching in Higher Ed

Read Blog →
Blog

How Higher Ed Institutions Can Invest in Supporting Spanish-Speaking Students & Families

Read Blog →
Blog

Improving Community College Relevance

Read Blog →
Blog

Top 5 Reasons to Use Digital Tools for Key Campus Processes

Read Blog →
Blog

Supporting First-Generation Students: The 22 Rules of Success

Read Blog →
Blog

The use of labor market data to respond to declining enrollment

Read Blog →
Blog

The evolution of faculty workload management: Trends and technologies

Read Blog →
Blog

7 labor market insights IE and IR teams can use to evaluate program effectiveness

Read Blog →
Blog

10 ways to support students struggling with classes

Read Blog →
Blog

Using ePortfolios in end-of-semester assessments

Read Blog →
Blog

How College Leaders Can Use Labor Market Data

Read Blog →
Blog

Taking Advantage of Course Feedback in Higher Ed

Read Blog →
Blog

Higher ed technology management guide

Read Blog →
Blog

Using ePortfolios in higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

Taking course evaluation reporting to the next level

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Data to Personalize Students’ Coursework

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Create the Best Course Evaluations

Read Blog →
Blog

The Importance of Technology Due Diligence for Higher Education Software

Read Blog →
Blog

How technology can amplify your educational impact

Read Blog →
Blog

The 5 Stages of Student Success

Read Blog →
Blog

The Benefits of Course Evaluation in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

The Brilliant Underachiever: Coaching Bright Students Who Struggle

Read Blog →
Blog

Using campus data to support student success and steer the institution

Read Blog →
Blog

The four crucial steps to ensure a successful technology implementation

Read Blog →
Blog

The Future of Data Convergence on Campuses

Read Blog →
Blog

How Assessment Foundations Can Help Community Colleges

Read Blog →
Blog

How to ensure adult learning success

Read Blog →
Blog

The Impact of Cognitive Bias on Student Surveys

Read Blog →
Blog

The Importance of Accessible Technology in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Integrating Artificial & Human Intelligence for Student Success

Read Blog →
Blog

Developing Rapport With Students: Why It’s Important & How to Do It

Read Blog →
Blog

Is aging technology holding back your university?

Read Blog →
Blog

4 Issues Impacting College Administrators

Read Blog →
Blog

How to cultivate a positive faculty culture at your higher ed institution

Read Blog →
Blog

How To Define Student Success

Read Blog →
Blog

How To Do a Course Evaluation

Read Blog →
Blog

Dropout prevention and alternatives for at-risk college students

Read Blog →
Blog

Best practices in faculty recruitment

Read Blog →
Blog

Tips for professors: best practices for online teaching

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Engage Faculty in Assessment

Read Blog →
Blog

Boosting alumni engagement opportunities

Read Blog →
Blog

Closing the loop — applying data-informed insights

Read Blog →
Blog

How colleges and universities adapt to changing job markets

Read Blog →
Blog

How To Find the Best Professors

Read Blog →
Blog

Why flexibility is important for student success

Read Blog →
Blog

We are the champions: Building a case for new tech

Read Blog →
Blog

Unlocking your potential: Could you benefit from a certification?

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Find Success Coaches for Your College

Read Blog →
Blog

How to improve student success with community-based learning

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Develop Key Performance Indicators for Community Colleges

Read Blog →
Blog

Why community colleges are our best hope for closing the equity gap

Read Blog →
Blog

Making a Difference in Student Wellness

Read Blog →
Blog

How to keep faculty data reliable and up-to-date

Read Blog →
Blog

Making technology implementation a success

Read Blog →
Blog

Ways community colleges can define, measure, and improve student success

Read Blog →
Blog

How to identify and manage valuable course improvements with Planning & Self-Study software

Read Blog →
Blog

How to know when it’s time for new higher ed technology

Read Blog →
Blog

Maximizing the Impact of Course Evaluations During COVID

Read Blog →
Blog

Microcredentials and How ePortfolios Can Highlight Them

Read Blog →
Blog

How to use SIS data at your school

Read Blog →
Blog

Minority Male Success Initiative (MMSI): A Catalyst for Change

Read Blog →
Blog

What Year Is Most Critical for College Student Success?

Read Blog →
Blog

How to use LMS data to support curriculum development

Read Blog →
Blog

MSCHE Accreditation: 7 Things Peer Reviewers Wish You Knew

Read Blog →
Blog

Use ePortfolios to give students a leg up in job searches

Read Blog →
Blog

The Power of Non-Academic Outcomes

Read Blog →
Blog

Where Are They Now? An Update on our 2020 Watermark Scholars

Read Blog →
Blog

The “who” and “what” of university administration

Read Blog →
Blog

Understanding the Support Needs of Community College Students

Read Blog →
Blog

Faculty Search Committees: What Are They and What Do They Do?

Read Blog →
Blog

How to make assessment simpler

Read Blog →
Blog

Turning Process Into Progress: Using Technology to Drive Institutional Improvement

Read Blog →
Blog

Keeping up with 2024 higher ed trends?

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Prepare for a Virtual Assessment Site Visit

Read Blog →
Blog

Transforming the Student Co-Curricular Experience of Community Colleges

Read Blog →
Blog

Tracking Progress With Student Learning & Licensure

Read Blog →
Blog

Online Course Feedback 101: From the Physical to the Digital Classroom

Read Blog →
Blog

How to prepare for an accreditation peer review visit

Read Blog →
Blog

Overcoming financial obstacles with help from higher education institutions

Read Blog →
Blog

Preparing for Life on Sabbatical

Read Blog →
Blog

Partnering With NCCCS to Help Students Succeed

Read Blog →
Blog

How to reduce faculty workload using technology

Read Blog →
Blog

Positive Change During Challenging Times: How Six Leaders Transformed Higher Education During the Pandemic

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Support Grad Students

Read Blog →
Blog

Best Practices to Reengage Community College Dropouts

Read Blog →
Blog

How to support students struggling with time management

Read Blog →
Blog

How to switch accreditors as a higher ed institution

Read Blog →
Blog

How Your College Can Support Veterans

Read Blog →
Blog

Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics’ Role in Fighting College Attrition

Read Blog →
Blog

How to prepare for a successful CAEP accreditation

Read Blog →
Blog

Top Course Evaluation Questions

Read Blog →
Blog

Top Things to Consider When Hiring a Student Success Coach

Read Blog →
Blog

Continuing education evaluation guide

Read Blog →
Blog

Identifying at-risk students through the course registration process

Read Blog →
Blog

Creating equity solutions

Read Blog →
Blog

5 Creative ways to use end-of-semester assessment data

Read Blog →
Blog

11 community college trends for 2023

Read Blog →
Blog

The importance of data transparency for higher ed success

Read Blog →
Blog

Higher education institutional outcomes – defining a proficiency scale

Read Blog →
Blog

How to democratize data at your institution to improve student outcomes

Read Blog →
Blog

Demonstrating faculty influence on student success with Radford University

Read Blog →
Blog

Developing proactive advising techniques

Read Blog →
Blog

The differences between direct and indirect measurement

Read Blog →
Blog

Discover the secrets of faculty “buy-in”

Read Blog →
Blog

Does the classroom environment matter?

Read Blog →
Blog

Collecting Feedback With Watermark Course Evaluations & Surveys

Read Blog →
Blog

Barriers to using assessment results and how to overcome them

Read Blog →
Blog

Engaging faculty in the new school year

Read Blog →
Blog

How to use institutional data to spot students likely to transfer

Read Blog →
Blog

Top reasons why students transfer and what your institution can do

Read Blog →
Blog

Supporting working-class students: 7 ways to show support

Read Blog →
Blog

How to support incoming transfer student success

Read Blog →
Blog

Why cloud-based video feedback software is helpful for higher ed

Read Blog →
Blog

How to track the results of culturally responsive education

Read Blog →
Watermark vs. Civitas
Blog

Watermark vs. Civitas

Read Blog →
Blog

How to attract and retain top faculty at your institution

Read Blog →
Blog

How to be an effective program dean

Read Blog →
Building soft skills for future careers: Integrating professional development into your curriculum
Blog

Building soft skills for future careers: Integrating professional development into your curriculum

Read Blog →
15 common challenges that first-year students face
Blog

15 common challenges that first-year students face

Read Blog →
How to spot struggling first-year students and intervene
Blog

How to spot struggling first-year students and intervene

Read Blog →
12 tips to improve first-year college student performance
Blog

12 tips to improve first-year college student performance

Read Blog →
Blog

Weighing legacy admissions: What to consider at your institution

Read Blog →
Blog

Key metrics for mid-semester program reviews: What to measure and why

Read Blog →
Blog

Understanding the student engagement software space

Read Blog →
Blog

7 student engagement software trends to watch for in 2025

Read Blog →
View our EIS