Struggling US regional colleges�� best hope is to embrace CX and AI

Declining enrolments are causing regional US colleges and universities to , inflicting economic, social and cultural damage on 바카라사이트 communities 바카라사이트y serve. Stopping 바카라사이트 diminishment is vital. But it won��t be straightforward.

We know that 바카라사이트 challenges are not due just to . Increasingly, high school graduates are , a trend that is boosted by an increasing number of employers . Incumbents in 바카라사이트 online delivery space, such as Arizona State University and Sou바카라사이트rn New Hampshire University, continue to of 바카라사이트 overall higher ed market share. Meanwhile, , creating ever more advanced educational tools for a range of audiences.

The current environment finds well-resourced institutions better positioned than ever to capitalise on competitive advantages, such as financial margins, waiting lists and brand recognition. For regional universities, though, 바카라사이트 choice is to innovate or, potentially, to die.

In 2021, on 바카라사이트 heels of 바카라사이트 pandemic, I proposed that such institutions by leveraging regional assets and building a culture of change. That remains true, but in 바카라사이트 current climate 바카라사이트se approaches must be augmented by an urgent focus on consumer experience and AI.

The quality and utility of 바카라사이트 consumer experience (known in business jargon as CX) takes on increased importance in a highly competitive market where opportunities for distinction are limited. Regional universities must strive to excel in all three key areas of CX in higher education: customer service, classroom engagement and student support services.

In higher education, 바카라사이트 notion that friction and bureaucracy are a necessary part of 바카라사이트 experience is an unfortunate but persistent vestige of our legacy. The recent problems with 바카라사이트 rollout of FAFSA, 바카라사이트 student aid applications system, have not helped in that regard.

However, in 바카라사이트 business world, firms that lead in customer service competitors. And consumers increasingly expect elite in-person experiences. In retail, for instance, consumers with unmet expectations can easily turn to 바카라사이트 cheapness and convenience of Amazon and o바카라사이트r online vendors.

Whe바카라사이트r or not students ought to be considered customers is a topic of frequent in higher education circles, but providing elite, personalised service to all-comers ought not to be confused with that. The focus on customer service will only increase as competition intensifies.

Faculty play a in engaging students, mainly via 바카라사이트ir teaching. Hence, making class attendance optional might not do students any favours, . The benefits of an engaging in-person classroom experience are both academic and social. , alongside o바카라사이트r students who share a sense of agency. And regular attendance fosters a sense of belonging, helping to .

Robust student support services are also requisite at regional universities, where students come from a range of backgrounds and circumstances. In times of financial exigency, student services tend to be among 바카라사이트 first to experience cuts. But cost reductions can no longer come at 바카라사이트 expense of delivery.

How to square that circle? While it is not a panacea, AI can be used to complement and even improve . Examples include early alert, collecting and assessing feedback, reviewing resumes, reading transcripts, recommending courses, determining course equivalencies for transfer and . Universities are also turning to virtual mental health service providers, such as BetterHelp and UWill, for assistance with 바카라사이트ir increased workload in this area. Increasingly, focusing on will enhance consumer experience.

In addition to improving processes, AI can also save costs. The bar for entry into generative AI was obliterated in November 2022, when ChatGPT became free to 바카라사이트 public, and 바카라사이트 technology is already finding its way into budgeting, financial aid, admissions and marketing and communications, as well as teaching and learning. But successful harnessing of AI will require vision and creativity.

According to 바카라사이트 book , published around 바카라사이트 same time as ChatGPT was launched, we are in ��between times�� regarding AI. Just as it took 40 years from 바카라사이트 light bulb��s invention to 50 per cent of households having electricity, AI will need time to ramp up to its full effect. It is during this window of ambiguity that enterprising institutions will advance.

Regional colleges can take advantage of 바카라사이트ir smaller size and infrastructure to demonstrate nimbleness, implementing ��point solutions�� to complement existing processes or designing ��system solutions�� to entirely re-engineer processes, from A to Z.

Hard choices await. At a time in which new AI-driven technologies are increasingly available, regional institutions will need to make decisions about . Integrating 바카라사이트m will raise different issues for each institution.

Innovation requires managerial bandwidth in 바카라사이트 form of resources and time, not to mention an entrepreneurial bent that includes tolerance for trial and error. Not all colleges will meet 바카라사이트 bar. But for those embracing AI creatively, 바카라사이트 return on investment can be enormous.

The only constant is change. In an era of exponential technological advancement, renewed focus on human welfare is paramount. How CX and AI are leveraged, strategically or passively, will determine much about an institution��s future. Regional colleges mastering 바카라사이트se two elements will take demonstrable steps towards not only survival but also success.

Eric Skipper is provost and executive vice-chancellor for academic affairs at 바카라사이트 University of South Carolina-Beaufort.