Regional public universities (RPUs) help over five million students across the country improve their lives through high-quality, affordable education. They play a critical role in the communities and local economies they serve.
Risepoint collaborated with The Chronicle of Higher Education to better understand RPUs’ strategies for supporting local work-force development. The results of this research can be found in the research brief Graduate Programs and Work-Force Needs: How Regional Public Institutions Are Responding to a Changing Job Market.
Key report findings
The report reveals current conditions for RPUs and their students, including:
- Gaps in adult learner preparation: Only 19% of institutions excel in advancing adult learners’ careers through graduate programs.
- Preferred learning modalities: A striking 92% of respondents favor online or hybrid learning for adult learners.
- Expansion plans: Many RPUs aim to grow work-force relevant programs, particularly in business, education, and healthcare.
- Challenges: Financial pressures, low morale, and political interference are significant hurdles.
These conditions require institutions to adapt, while also maintaining their work-force and community focus. This report provides critical insights into opportunities for regional universities to enhance their impact on local economies and communities in a challenging environment. It also identifies ways that institutions can adapt graduate programs in a changing job market, so that students feel more prepared to make their own impact on their communities.
Download the full report to explore detailed findings and strategic recommendations that can help your institution thrive.
What people are saying
On April 22, The Chronicle hosted a virtual forum where academic leaders discussed the survey results and best practices for communicating the value of RPUs and being innovative and nimble in a shifting economic and political landscape.
Watch the Virtual Forum Recording below featuring insights from Dr. Kelly A. Ryan, President, Eastern Oregon University (a Risepoint partner) on her successful public-private partnerships to expand access to work-force relevant programs.
Or read the Forum Key Takeaways for a transcript of the discussion to see how university presidents are being flexible and responsive to meet regional needs and address the opportunities highlighted in this research.
