The document summarizes a presentation by Sheila Curran on careers, alumni, and the college value proposition. Curran discusses the need for colleges to focus on their value proposition in light of rising costs and declining enrollment. She cites data from a study of 946 private colleges showing that less than a quarter meet benchmarks for graduation rates, graduate salaries, and loan repayment. Curran advocates for a value business model where colleges focus on retention, post-graduate outcomes, and alumni engagement to demonstrate their worth.

1. CAREERS, ALUMNI, AND THE
COLLEGE VALUE PROPOSITION
SHEILA J CURRAN, CURRAN CONSULTING GROUP,
SEPTEMBER 12 2018
WISR BOSTON HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

2. • Consultant to colleges and universities, focused on enhancing their value
proposition
• Former executive director, Duke Career Center, and director, Brown
University Career Services
• Many years of partnership with alumni and development offices
• Nationally-recognized author and contributor to careers stories. Former
columnist for BusinessWeek
• Coauthor: Smart Moves for Liberal Arts Grads: Finding a Path toYour Perfect
Career
scurran@curranconsultinggroup.com
SHEILA CURRAN, CURRAN CONSULTING GROUP
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3. GOALS
UNDERSTAND:
• Current state of higher education
• Your institution’s value proposition
• Actions Alumni Relations and Careers can take to impact graduate outcomes and
institutional success
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4. VALUE?
COST?
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5. THE BIG ROI QUESTION
56%
54%
53%
50%
39%
52%
52%
56%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
18-34
35-49
50-64
65+
% WHO SAY COLLEGE IS WORTH THE COST
AGEGROUPS
Was college worth the cost?
Opinions of
four different age groups in 2013 and 2017
2017 2013
30%
The drop in
perceived value
among young
people over a 5-
year period
Source: NBC News/WSJ Poll, Aug 2017, CNBC poll June 2013
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6. CURRAN CONSULTING GROUP: COLLEGEVALUE STUDY
• 946 private colleges and universities
• All US states
• 15 different data points:
• College demographics
• College data
• Student outcomes
• Focus on student outcomes and what college factors influence
them
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7. DATA SURPRISES
• Just over half (56%) of students graduate within six years from the college where
they start their studies
• A third don’t even return for second year
• Two thirds are paying back their loans on time
• The more poor students are enrolled, the more likely the school is to have poor
retention and graduation rates
• The bottom quartile of colleges have less than $5,000 in the bank per student
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8. THE TROUBLE WITH (FOR?) COLLEGES
• They cost too much
• They have a dwindling supply of applicants
• Student expectations have increased
COLLEGES CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO IGNORE THE MARKETPLACE
THAT MEANS PAYING ATTENTION TO THEIRVALUE PROPOSITION
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9. DISCUSSION
• What is a value proposition?
• Why should you care about this data, as a higher education professional?
• Why should you care about this data, as an individual/tax payer?
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10. GIVING STUDENTS WHAT THEY WANT: RULE OF 66%
• What students want:
• Graduate from college
• Have pathway to a better life
• Have desired salary and lifestyle and ability to repay accumulated debt
• Data that points to success
• Six-year graduation rate
• Percentage of graduates making more than a high-school grad
• Percentage of graduates repaying principal on loans on time
• 10-year out surveys
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11. REALITIES IN 946 PRIVATE US COLLEGES
# Schools meeting standard:
66% of grads make more than HS grad
# Schools meeting standard:
66% graduate within 6 years
# Schools meeting standard:
66% of grads paying back loans on time
509 (53%) 284 (30%) 475 (49%)
Source: Curran Consulting Group 2017, 2014/15 data
Only 219 out of 946 (23%) Private colleges and universities meet all three standards
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12. OBSERVATIONS
• To what extent are the challenges recognized?
• How are colleges addressing the problems identified in the study?
• What is the current business model?
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13. THE VALUE BUSINESS MODEL
Get through college
and graduate
Find the right kind of
work in the right
location at the right
salary
Stay engaged,
recommend institution,
& encourage
matriculation
Data Points:
• First-year retention
• Four-year graduation
• Six-year graduation
Data Points:
• 1st destination outcomes
• Actual salary
• Salary compared to HS grad
• Loan repayment
Data Points:
• 5-year out and 10-year out surveys
• Comparison to Gallup data
• Alumni engagement metrics
• Alumni giving metrics
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14. DISCUSSION
• What do you think of the value model?
• What are the implications for Careers? Alumni Relations?
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15. WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO EXCELLENT CAREER
OUTCOMES?
Successful
Career
Outcomes
Relevant
knowledge
Experience
Skills &
Abilities
Personal
characteristics
Connections
Access to
Opportunity
Job Search
Strategy
Career
Center
Family
Experiential
Education
Classroom
Alumni
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16. DISCUSSION
• How can Careers and Alumni Relations more effectively work
together to enhance graduate outcomes and long-term success?
• Systems
• Data
• Initiatives
• Attitudes
• Marketing
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17. WHAT IS HOLDING US BACK?
How will this session
inform your work?
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