Transformation and Renewal at North Greenville University

The Greenville (SC) Journal published an article, "North Greenville University's transformation continues," focusing on North Greenville University located in Tigerville, SC.  Reporter Cindy Landrum provides a short historical sketch along with a summary of recent institutional changes and plans for the future.

North Greenville University was founded in 1893 by the North Greenville Baptist Association.  It was initially known as North Greenville High School.  The name changed to North Greenville Academy in 1915.  A junior college curriculum was offered after 1934 and the name was changed to North Greenville Junior College in 1950.  It became North Greenville College in 1972.  Graduate programs have been added over the past decade and enrollment is now 2,534 students.

Signature Programs and Small Higher Education Institutions

Lawrence Biemiller's interesting article appears March 11, 2018 in The Chronicle of Higher Education, "Can a Signature Program Save Your College?" He addresses the appeal of signature programs and references a number of smaller institutions.  

Programs at eight colleges and universities are highlighted by Biemiller in the article.  He also notes that conversations are occurring between the institutions as they learn from each other. 

Biemiller includes comments from presidents indicating that signature programs by themselves will not save institutions and that it may take a long time for visible payoffs from the investments of time or other resources.  He also quotes a president who argues that there are a limited number of big ideas and it is better to keep the focus on controlling costs and increasing net revenues.

Jeff Selingo, a well known author and columnist for the Washington Post, commented this morning via Twitter that the benefits from signature programs are likely to decline over time as they are copied by other institutions.

Columbia College Announces New Initiatives

Columbia College in Columbia, SC announces several new initiatives as part of the institution's McNair Center for Entrepreneurism.  Students can now benefit from an Ideas Incubator Space and apply for seed funding to support a start-up or develop a concept.  Participants will have access to a variety of resources and mentoring.

The mission of the McNair Center is to create and sustain an entrepreneurial environment within the College through education, apprenticeships, mentoring, capital access, and development of professional skills among students.  The center started with a generous gift from The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation in July 2015.  

Columbia College was founded in 1854 and provides undergraduate liberal arts programs for women.

Challenges and Opportunities for Columbia College

Bristow Marchant reported for The State on the challenges and opportunities facing Columbia College in "Like many women's schools, Columbia College faces challenges."  The article is accompanied by a short video that includes an interview with interim provost, Carol Moore who argues that "...the strengths of a women’s school — including an environment that nurtures young women — outweighs any downside."  Columbia currently enrolls roughly 1,600 students through a traditional women's college and in its co-ed on-line and graduate programs.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/news/local/education/article121669577.html#storylink=cpy

The institution was founded as Columbia Female College on Plain Street (now Hampton Street) in downtown Columbia, SC in 1854 and was affiliated with the Methodist Church.  At the time, there were 121 students and a faculty of 16.  It closed during the Civil War and later moved to North Columbia in 1904.  The name changed to Columbia College in 1905.

Burlington College Resets Tuition with 9% Decrease for Next Year

Alex Rose reported for WFFF television on November 30, 2015 that Burlington College will be reducing tuition.  Rose interviews interim president, Carol A. Moore, and a student.  Burlington is resetting tuition with a 9% decrease for next year.

A post by Coralee Holm, Dean of Operations and Advancement, on the Burlington College website provides more details.

Cindy Landrum reported for the Greenville Journal last week that enrollment at Converse College has seen an increase in enrollment that corresponded with a 43% decrease in tuition and other initiatives implemented two years ago.

Focus on the American College of Building Arts

The Atlantic's CityLab features the American College of Building Arts (ACBA) in an article by Amy Crawford.  ACBA is located in Charleston, SC and is the only 4-year liberal arts and sciences college in the country offering a Bachelor of Applied Science with specializations in: Architectural Carpentry, Plaster, Timber Framing, Architectural Stone, Masonry, and Forged Architectural Iron.  The institution is relatively young with the first class graduating in 2009.

Small Colleges Adapting to Meet Pressures they Face

In the wake of Sweet Briar's public struggle, Matt Zalaznick reports that many presidents and boards of small colleges have reassessed their financial health....and it appears that many are making necessary changes.  His article, "Small Schools Sidestep Sweet Briar's Struggles" appears in the May 2015 issue of University Business.

After initially exploring the situation facing Sweet Briar, Zalaznick then turns his attention to strategies followed by Wilson College (PA), Converse College (SC), Sewanee: the University of the South (TN), Whittier College (CA), Mary Baldwin College (VA), and Manchester University (IN).