What’s AHEAD Poll # 3: Fall Enrollment: A Common Topic of Conversation Among Higher Education Leaders

This report summarizes the results of a poll administered to the alumni of the Executive Doctorate program in Higher Education Management at the University of Pennsylvania (n = 243). 132 individuals responded during the eight-day period in which the poll was open (September 11 to September 19, 2014). The poll included eight questions and was estimated to require no more than 10 minutes to complete. This report describes responses from 115 individuals holding senior level positions at higher education institutions in the United States. Most of these individuals (67%) are leaders of private not-for-profit four-year institutions. One-fifth (20%) are leaders of public four-year institutions, 4% are from private for-profit four-year institutions, 5% are from public two-year institutions, and 2% are in administrative units (system offices). Half (51%) are in administrative roles, 30% in academic positions, 10% in finance positions, and 9% in student affairs. A third (32%) of respondents reported a strong direct connection to or responsibility for enrollment, 28% reported some connection to or responsibility for enrollment, and 40% reported little direct connection to or responsibility for enrollment. Additional commentary is available at https://ahead-penn.org/whats-ahead-commentary-poll-3