Record-breaking success in admissions at some Black colleges
Several historically Black colleges have reported record enrollment this year. Morgan State, located in Baltimore, received an all-time high number of applications. The institution received 14,600 undergraduate applications, a 58.5 percent increase over the total number received in 2019. Among students who were admitted, 1,600 have committed to attend in the fall, compared to fewer than 700 who had committed at this point last year. Chelsea N. Holley, interim Director of Admissions at Spelman College, said they received 11,126 applications this year compared to 9,100 applications last year and the year before. At North Carolina A&T State University, it’s “another great year,” according to Todd Simmons, the Associate Vice Chancellor. The college has received 28,488 undergraduate applications, up from 28,426 at this point for 2020 and 26,708 in 2019. In 2017, total applications were 18,645. North Carolina A&T also has seen a 36 percent increase in freshman intent to enroll.
Source: Inside Higher Ed
Number of colleges requiring COVID vaccinations continues to climb
To date there are 319 campuses that require students or employees to be vaccinated against COVID. There has been a steady increase in campuses requiring vaccination since the later part of April, with 110 added since May 1. The largest jump from 237 to 319 campuses occurred in one day, from May 9 to May 10.
Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
High school senior’s podcast captures the new college search experience
New Jersey high school senior Maggie Borgen started a podcast to document how very different her college search has been this year. She explained that “some of the colleges I got into I haven’t even been to, or even been to that city.” Called Second Semester Seniors, the podcast has a large following and was mentioned in The New York Times. She started the podcast in part because she and her friends had so much Zoom fatigue, and a podcast allows one to absorb content without having to stare at a screen.
Source: EdSurge
The biggest trends in teaching and learning
The latest EDUCAUSE report outlines the six biggest trends shaping teaching and learning this year. Artificial Intelligence is appearing in areas such as learning management systems, proctoring, assessment, student information systems, office productivity, library services, admissions, disability support, mobile apps and more. Faculty and students increased their use of free or low-cost educational resources that are accessible from anywhere, on any device. In addition, it’s now common for academic advisors, department chairs, offices of access or disability services and other areas of academic support to use learning analytics to better understand and interpret the needs and challenges of student populations. Other trends include offering blended and hybrid course models, quality online learning and microcredentials.
Source: Campus Technology