Registry Advisory Services:
Helping Build a Public/Private Partnership for a Brighter Future
Registry Advisory Services (RAS) is made up of consultants drawn from The Registry, the nation’s premier placement firm for interim higher education administrators. With more than 1,000 current Members, The Registry is able to supply consultants and interim leaders for short- and long-term RAS projects in dozens of different capacities on college and university campuses.
One of the specialties of RAS is to collaboratively envision “Alternative Futures” for institutions currently challenged by tuition declines, budgetary pressures, demographic shifts and the Covid-19 pandemic, to name a few examples. RAS consultants have experience in developing plans that allow colleges and universities to respond to these challenges in nimble, creative ways. With the resources of hundreds of institutions currently being served by Registry Interims, our consultants have experience in designing and implementing affiliations, alliances and federations that help colleges enhance their missions by joining together to become more competitive locally, regionally and nationally.
RAS consultants have experience, as well, in building public-private partnerships that establish regional identities to strengthen enrollments. Beyond standard budget and enrollment management goals, RAS projects are also known for their broad economic development and grant-funded achievements. Through partnerships coordinated by RAS, colleges and universities are able to pursue academic and philanthropic pathways otherwise closed to them as single institutions.
The RAS project detailed below began with an invitation to attend a press conference at which the potential closing of the University in question was to be announced. In fact, with the help of RAS consultants, that institution, Iowa Wesleyan University, has avoided closure and developed a partnership plan with Southeastern Community College called SIHEA: the Southeast Iowa Higher Education Alliance. This project was officially announced in January 2021. While both institutions will continue to operate separately, this unique partnership between a four-year private liberal arts university and a community college will serve as an innovative model for the future of higher education.
"This innovative model is the result of two years of comprehensive work. Colleges and universities nationwide are struggling with decreased enrollment, skyrocketing costs and potential closures. Collectively, Iowa Wesleyan and Southeastern Community College are coming together from a position of strength, and this partnership will secure and protect our bright future and the future of our students.”
“Our two institutions are well-aligned, both strategically and operationally, to make SIHEA an immediately successful partnership. The opportunities that SIHEA students will have access to are tremendous, from seamless and affordable degree pathways to increased professional resources and support.”
“From the Trustees’ perspective, the alliance between Iowa Wesleyan University and Southeastern Community College has been transformative. Under the steady leadership of former Board Chair Annette Scieszinski, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in February, IW moved from a position of uncertainty to one of optimism in a surprisingly short time. Each institution brings unique strengths to the partnership, and we appreciate the work of Presidents Ash and Plunkett and their administrative teams as they position the alliance for the future. Forming this public/private partnership has been the right thing to do for the institutions, the right thing for our students, and the right thing for the region as we adapt to meet the ever-changing educational and technological needs of our students.”
SIHEA will offer seamless, affordable academic pathways between IW and SCC, broadening the educational opportunities for students and increasing the talent pipeline for our regional workforce. Through this model, a student could take college-level courses in high school and then work through completion of an Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree all within the SIHEA system.
Iowa Wesleyan University: As Southeast Iowa’s regional comprehensive university, Iowa Wesleyan University is a transformational learning community whose passion is to educate, empower and inspire students to lead meaningful lives and careers.
Southeastern Community College: Dedicated to lifelong learning, Southeastern Community College proudly supports all students who are ready to reach their career and educational goals.
SIHEA offers Iowa Wesleyan University and Southeastern Community College and the greater Southeast Iowa community a chance to utilize this partnership for shared renewal and growth. Registry Advisory Services was proud to have been a help in this groundbreaking partnership.
Iowa Wesleyan Announces New Partnership with Southeastern Community College to Boost Enrollment and Share Costs.
For additional information about Registry Advisory Services and The Registry, please contact us.
Info.RAS@registryinterim.com | 978-532-4090 | RegistryInterim.com
This content was paid for and created by Registry Advisory Services. The editorial staff of The Chronicle had no role in its preparation. Find out more about paid content.
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