Executive Director of Planning, Analytics and Institutional Research James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States
Session Abstract:In this workshop, participants will be introduced to an enrollment forecasting model used to project enrollments at a large (20,000+) public university for over 20 years. Adaptable to institutions of any size, the model, which is based in Excel, can help institutions forecast future enrollments using historical data and sound reasoning. While the model shown will focus largely on how to project progression of continuing students, the presenter will share additional strategies for forecasting new enrollment and how this information is communicated to stakeholders. Attendees will receive a template to use with their institution’s data and receive examples of how results are shared.
As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to:
Identify guidelines to consider when implementing an enrollment forecasting model
Explain the logic behind the forecasting model employed by the presenter’s institution
Adapt the model to their own institutions
Identify various strategies to communicate the information effectively to stakeholders.
