New Majority Solutions: Effective Admission and Financial Aid Strategies for Colleges and Universities Serving Low-Income Students

A Planning Workshop (via Zoom)

Mondays, November 6 and 20, from 3:00–5:00 pm Eastern
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 25

Find online registration at bottom of page and payment via PayPal below that
(payment can be made with or without a PayPal account).
Fill out the form and submit, then select the number of attendees and click the Add to Cart button.

The Yes We Must Coalition is offering a workshop to college/university teams for New Majority Solutions: Effective Admission and Financial Aid Strategies for Colleges and Universities Serving Low-Income Students, a two-session workshop on Mondays, November 6 and 20, from 3:00–5:00 pm EDT. The workshop will be led by John Dysart, a national expert in enrollment management and President of The Dysart Group, a leading enrollment consultation group. John has helped numerous colleges and universities, conducted seminars, and published dozens of articles on enrollment insights and solutions.

These are trying times for colleges and universities. At least 42 colleges and universities have closed or merged just since 2020. Our sector has been particularly hurt as at least three of our members have closed or merged in the last 18 months. The essential issue is enrollment and colleges seeking to survive are going to need to consider significant changes to their recruitment and financial aid strategies to thrive. Myriad possible solutions have been offered including financial aid leveraging schemes, investment in technology like artificial intelligence and complex CRM systems, dramatic academic and co-curricular program expansion, athletic offerings and more. Unfortunately, many of the “solutions” are inappropriate for small institutions with limited resources. This program will focus on admission and financial aid strategies and tactics designed specifically to address enrollment issues faced by institutions serving low-income students. Participation in this workshop will allow for cross-campus teams of at least 2 people to explore proven low-cost initiatives that are realistic and effective for colleges and universities in our sector.

What Is Involved?

The workshop will consist of two 2-hour virtual gatherings in Zoom on Mondays, November 6 and 20, 2023, from 3:00–5:00 pm EDT. Campus teams will complete a pre-workshop exercise and also a team assignment in between sessions.

Who Should Attend?

Teams from all Yes We Must Coalition member schools and other colleges/universities who share our commitment to increasing the success of students from low-income backgrounds are invited. Campus teams will participate together in the workshop sessions and develop an action-oriented plan for their campus.

Teams must consist of at least 2 members. Suggested team members: Presidents, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Academic Officers, Directors of Admission, Directors of Financial Aid, Admission Staff, and Financial Aid Staff.

Campus Team Outcomes

Gain a better understanding of admission and financial aid strategies and tactics designed specifically to address enrollment issues faced by institutions serving low-income students;
Outline an action plan for your institution to improve admission and financial aid outcomes for low-income students using these strategies.
Meet colleagues at Yes We Must Coalition member schools and others who share common goals and contexts for advancing access and success of all students and stimulate collaborative work on alternative strategies;
Leave with an invitation to participate in a post-meeting virtual Community of Practice to assist one another with plan implementation.

How to Register and Cost for Participating

Cost for a Campus Team of at least 2 and up to 4 members is $350 for Yes We Must Coalition institutional members; cost for a team from non-YWMC institutions is $500. For teams larger than 4, additional members may join at a cost of $75 per additional member. Team registration deadline is Wednesday, October 25. To register, one college/university representative should complete the online Registration Form below, providing names, titles/roles, and email contacts for team participants. Payment must be made by credit card at time of registration through the payment link at the bottom of the online form. Registrants will be sent links to the Zoom workshop sessions as well as the pre-workshop exercise to complete and return.

Workshop Leader

John W. Dysart is President of The Dysart Group, a higher education consulting firm specializing in recruitment, financial aid and retention. John has held leadership positions at five colleges and universities and provided consulting services for more than thirty years. He has assisted more than 230 colleges and universities in 43 states. While most of his consultations have been related to enrollment management and enrollment growth, he has a special expertise in financial aid issues. He has consistently integrated enrollment management with institutional objectives regarding net revenue, budgeting and strategic planning. Most of his diverse clients have been small colleges and universities serving low income/at-risk populations. He has a special passion for helping institutions enroll and educate this growing market.

For Questions
Contact Ann Landis, Program Manager at the Yes We Must Coalition, at Enable JavaScript to view protected content..

Campus Team Registration Form

Please provide the following information for campus team participants.
(Payment must be made at time of registration through the PayPal link below the registration form. Please fill out and submit the form below first.)

Note: You must click the Registration Form Submit button above
BEFORE moving on to the payment process.
BE SURE TO SELECT THE MEMBER OR NON-MEMBER OPTION BELOW. Members pay less.

Registrants will be sent invitations to the Zoom workshop sessions as well as the pre-workshop worksheet to complete and return.

TOP ↑