Strategic Enrolment Management Priorities

SEM at a Glance

Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) is a comprehensive approach that aligns an institution's enrolment goals with its mission and strategic objectives. SEM encompasses the planning and implementation of initiatives focused on recruiting, retaining, and graduating students, ensuring these efforts support institutional sustainability and enhance student success. It relies on data-driven decision-making, cross-department collaboration, and ongoing assessment of enrolment strategies to adapt effectively to the changing educational landscape.

Our Approach

At Northwestern Polytechnic, SEM is a collective effort that requires faculty, staff, administrators, and community participation to ensure that all stages of the student lifecycle are optimized. Everyone has a critical role in achieving SEM goals by contributing to engagement, support, and retention. We use a data-driven approach to identify areas for improvement and shape future strategies and tactics.

November 2024 Update

NWP continues to gather information and explore strategies to identify, recruit, enroll, retain, and graduate students in northern Alberta.

We remain committed to building on the Strategic Enrolment Management Action Plan Report produced in 2023, and we are currently reviewing and adapting our efforts to align with NWP’s new Strategic Plan: True North.

Building on the work of the past, the SEM Governance Committee reconvened this fall with a focus on:

Committee Orientation: At our first meeting of the new term, there was an emphasis on clarifying roles and responsibilities and fostering a shared understanding of SEM principles and goals.
Quick Wins Progress Inventory: The Strategic Enrolment Management Action Plan Report identified four priority areas, each with Quick Wins that will strengthen our positioning. Ongoing work to achieve the 18 identified Quick Wins is occurring across departments. An inventory of these Quick Wins allows us to track progress and ensure our actions remain relevant, aligned, and impactful.

In the near term, you can expect:

Action and Tactic Review and Refresh: Adaptability is crucial to remaining attuned and responsive to institutional goals and student needs. We will continually assess our approach and adjust tactics to ensure alignment with NWP’s mandate and strategic agenda. Ongoing review will allow us to prioritize and leverage any opportunities stemming from existing and emerging parallel projects within the institution.
Enhanced Communication: This SEM webpage is designed to facilitate information sharing and feedback. We will use Insider Today to alert staff and faculty to project updates.
Data-Driven Strategy Refinement: Enrolment data provides a window into program uptake and market trends. This information helps illustrate what works well and where improvements are needed.
Expanded Engagement: We can encourage active involvement by increasing SEM awareness amongst staff and faculty. Everyone has a role in SEM, but the challenge for some is identifying where there is a function and fit. The SEM Governance Committee will focus on bringing people together and showcasing opportunities for collaboration.

Strategic Enrolment Management at NWP represents a collaborative commitment to a thriving educational environment. By recognizing the vital roles each member of the institution plays in this process, we can work together to achieve our enrolment goals while ensuring that all students receive the support they need to succeed. As we adapt our strategies in alignment with the evolving landscape of higher education, our continuous efforts will be critical in driving the success of our SEM initiatives. Thanks for taking the time to engage.

Encouraging Engagement

As our learning community evolves, the more in sync we are with each other, the more efficient and effective we will be. Your feedback, and participation in building our future are paramount to our success. Occasionally, we will use this area to pose questions and seek insight from our learning community to support the development of our strategic agenda.

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