Service Line: Enrollment Strategy

Staying apprised of the latest changes in politics in the US this year basically constitutes a full-time job. Results from Carnegie’s May Deadline Survey suggest that prospective students, and even their parents, often have too many other topics on their minds to keep up with politics. When asked about the impact of politics on college choice, responses to our May 2025 survey were almost identical to those from a survey held shortly after the 2024 election.

Not all enrollment marketing and student success partners are created equal. And in today’s higher education landscape, where expectations are high and the stakes even higher, choosing the right partner is one of the most important decisions an institution can make.

Across the country, colleges face a common challenge—and an even greater opportunity. According to the Some College, No Credential 2025 Report from the National Student Clearinghouse, 43.1 million Americans have “stopped out” of college, meaning they left before completing a credential. Of those, 37.6 million are working-age adults under 65. They represent one of the most promising, yet often overlooked, growth segments for community and technical colleges.

Recently, Carnegie hosted a webinar with leaders of national higher education associations for a candid discussion about the demands of the moment and how leaders can navigate the uncertainty while fulfilling the mission of higher education. We opened the conversation to our attendees to ask questions directly to our hosts and panelists. Our panelists couldn’t get to all of the amazing, thoughtful questions posed during the event. We’ve compiled some of them here with answers from our hosts, Shankar Prasad and Emma Jones, as well as some of our favorite quotes from our panelists.

In 2020, colleges and universities around the country had to move online to continue serving their students in the midst of a global pandemic. Most weren’t ready.

The admissions decision is a huge moment for students and admissions offices alike, but it’s not the conclusion of the enrollment journey. Yield, student success, and retention are also incredibly important to your institutional goals. A smooth transition from admissions to other departments on campus to ensure students thrive is crucial to meeting those other goals.

Carnegie is excited to announce that Shankar Prasad has joined its senior leadership team as Chief Strategy Officer. With an extensive background in higher education leadership, strategic innovation, and institutional growth, Shankar brings invaluable expertise to Carnegie at a time when colleges and universities are navigating unprecedented change.

Connecting with prospective students is harder than ever before due to decreasing attention spans and increasing competition for attention—you’ve heard it all before. What you haven’t heard: Carnegie’s Lead Generation service now gives you a competitive edge.

Your application deadline has come and gone. Wherever the number is now, your applicant pool isn’t going to grow any further. So what can be done to move as many students as you can from admitted to enrolled?

With final application deadlines fast approaching, you might be looking at the numbers and wondering how to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Our Enrollment Strategists have compiled a list of tactics that we know can help you move the needle.