Author: enya@academicimpressions.com

Getting Back on Track: Ten Strategies for Successful Two- and Four-Year Institutional Transfer Partnerships

by Stephen Handel, Eileen Strempel

Amidst the current upheavals in higher education, the needs of largely marginalized students attending community colleges garner few headlines. Last year, the Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Columbia University, in partnership with the Aspen Institute, reported a national transfer rate of 16 percent—only two percentage points higher than a similar study conducted a decade earlier. Despite years of investment by federal, state, and local governments, colleges and universities, and the philanthropic community, we see no empirical evidence that we are broadly improving the odds for community college students attempting to complete a bachelor’s degree by transferring to a four-year institution. Yet the allure of a bachelor’s degree remains a powerful ticket to the middle class for these individuals. Despite the increased skepticism about higher education, as many as 80 percent of new community college students understand the long-term benefits, and express an interest in transferring in order to earn a four-year degree. Have we hit a transfer rate ceiling? Is the stratified structure of U.S. postsecondary education impervious to a fully effective transfer pathway as envisioned by education progressives over a century ago? These are difficult but necessary questions. The pathway between community colleges and four-year institutions will only become […]

Building Better Leaders: 7 Key Practices from High-Impact Leadership Programs 

by Nicole Pruitt

In today’s evolving higher education landscape, institutions increasingly recognize that strong leadership isn’t just essential for individual success—it’s vital for organizational resilience and transformation.  At Academic Impressions, after over twenty years of serving higher education, we’ve had the privilege of seeing how colleges and universities have strengthened their leadership benches in powerful, innovative ways.  When we launched the Best Places to Grow initiative, we aimed to highlight this incredible work. From major R1s to small private colleges to large public universities, we found outstanding leadership programs making a measurable difference. While every program has its unique identity, certain best practices clearly emerged across our nominee pool.  In this article, we spotlight seven practices that help leadership development efforts truly flourish.    1. Embracing Program Evolution and Iteration  Many leaders want to launch fully formed, polished programs right out of the gate. But lasting success often comes through agility and iteration. Programs that evolve based on feedback, shifting needs, and ongoing reflection often achieve the greatest impact.  Examples of Iterative Leadership Programs:  Takeaway: Start small, launch pilots, listen closely, and iterate often for continuous growth and relevance.   2. Making Coaching a Core Component  Leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. Personalized coaching […]

Empowering Higher Education Leaders Through Coaching in Challenging Times 

by Amy Giordano

When I served in a cabinet-level leadership role, my leadership style was rooted in my belief that success was determined by strategy, collaboration, and execution alone. I had a clear vision and a strong sense of responsibility, but what I did not realize at the time was that there was a powerful tool – leadership coaching – that could amplify my effectiveness in ways I could not anticipate.   Looking back, I can’t help but wonder how much smoother some challenges would have been, how much more I could have developed as a leader, and how much stronger my team could have become, if I had embraced coaching earlier. With the benefit of hindsight, rooted in my growing knowledge of coaching, I am confident that leadership coaching would have been an invaluable asset – both for my own growth and the success of my team. This is the power of coaching: the ability to unlock untapped potential, overcome obstacles with greater ease, and evolve as a leader in ways that go beyond what I can do on my own.   Higher education is facing profound challenges. Our students, institutions, and communities are grappling with uncertainty, burnout, and ongoing crises. The world is […]