Top 10 Survival Strategies for Non-credit Programs

Tonya Booker, Portland Community CollegeJoAnn Hawkins, Howard Community College

How does your professional development budget compare to last year?

– About the same– Increased– Decreased

10. Continue professional development

• Commit to continuous learning

• Motivate staff• Stress ROI

9. Capitalize on creative ideas and opportunities

• Events• Enrollment incentives• Creative promotional

opportunities• Blogs

8. Diversify program offerings

• Program in multiple market segments or divisions

• Keep a pulse on trends• Offer various

program formats

7. Find operational efficiencies

• Focus on customer service• Streamline processes• Utilize technology• Encourage online

registration

Have you changed the amount you charge for tuition and fees since last year?

– Yes, increased– Yes, decreased– No

6. Review pricing

• Research• Increase margin• Diversify

5. Partner and barter

• Strengthen partnerships • Take advantage of economies of

scale• Negotiate instructor pay• Encourage re-enrollments instead

of refunds

How does your marketing budget compare to last year?

– About the same– Increased – Decreased

4. Make the most of marketing dollars

• Continue or increase percentage spent on marketing

• Keep traditional methods and use eMarketing and social networking

• Optimize website• Profit from the

economic climate

3. Eliminate poor performing courses

• Track cancellation rates• Cut courses that have cancelled

twice• Wait longer to cancel• Reduce the number of sections per

course

2. Focus on profitable courses and programs

• Align courses with fundingopportunities

• Identify winners• Highlight courses that lead

to immediate jobs

Has your staffing level changed in the last year?

– No change– Increased – Decreased

1. Shift resources to areas that are growing

• Develop expertisein new content areas

• Review staffing• Focus on increasing

revenue and enrollments

1. Shift resources to areas that are growing

2. Focus on profitable courses and programs

3. Eliminate poor performing courses4. Make the most of marketing dollars5. Partner and barter6. Review pricing7. Find operational efficiencies8. Diversify program offerings9. Capitalize on creative ideas

and opportunities10.Continue professional

development

Top 10 Survival Strategies for Non-credit Programs