Daily Lumina News 092520

How have college enrollments fared in the middle of a pandemic? A new report provides an early look, with data showing a 2.5-percent dip in undergraduate attendance this fall.
The preliminary data, which reflect enrollments as of September 10, reveal that undergraduate enrollments at all types of institutions have declined, compared with the same time last fall. Community colleges fared the worst, with a decline of 7.5 percent.

While many college classes across the country remain online-only, others are seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases after students return to campus.
But one school in Maine is aiming to buck the trend by managing the virus through a robust testing and tracing plan.

With COVID-19 creating havoc on the economy, more workers are looking for affordable ways to gain new skills so they can quickly and efficiently enter today's changing job market.
In this interview, Brandon Busteed of Kaplan University Partners talks about the current enrollment decline, how to market experiential learning, and the importance of creating seamless pathways from education into the workforce.

The new California State University chancellor will take over the nation’s largest public university’s helm at a precarious time, but that’s one reason why Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro wanted the job.
Castro, a grandson of Mexican immigrants, will become CSU’s first chancellor of color and first native Californian to hold the position when he takes over in January.
He explains his plans for the future in this interview.

Utah State University announced a new admissions policy this week aimed at increasing access for students who lack the grades or test scores to normally be considered. The Earned Admission program will guarantee first-year applicants a spot at the university if they pass three self-paced courses in English, math, and study skills.
The goal is to give students an alternate way to show their college readiness, plus an academic boost ahead of enrollment.

The pandemic and ensuing recession leave higher education with more questions than answers on the transfer front. On the one hand, experts say, colleges need to work together to survive. On the other hand, some smaller four-year colleges are just struggling to survive, which could breed more competition than collaboration.