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Research Services

Image Study

This study includes an assessment of institutional awareness and perceptions among various constituent groups. Perceptions of institutional attributes such as academic reputation, academic quality, faculty, campus environment, student life, safety and price are among the findings reported.

Market Demand Analysis

Market Demand Analysis evaluates the level of demand within a particular market for an academic offering. Preferred instructional delivery method, time, location, semester format, pricing and more are assessed.

Competitor Analysis

The Competitor Analysis consists of comparisons with key competitors related to institutional characteristics, program offerings, price, admissions selectivity, perception, student recruitment efforts, market position, and much more.

Communications Audit

SEM WORKS will evaluate print, multimedia, and Web-based communications to measure their effectiveness in achieving institutional objectives such as increasing the quality of the entering class, shaping the image of the institution, or influencing potential donors.

Financial Aid Analysis

To what degree do your current uses of funds achieve institutional objectives? Central to this analysis is the determination of a "tipping point" required to enroll or retain a student based on the student's ability and willingness to pay.

Mystery Shopping

Another component of the competitor analysis is mystery shopping. Inquiring as a prospective student, the consultant will request information from each of your five key competitors and report significant findings that may offer you a competitive edge. We evaluate the comparative timeliness, flow, and effectiveness of communications. Open houses, campus tours, orientations, inquiry responses, and telecounseling calls are among the options available.

Environmental Scan

The environmental scan can help your institution break away from reliance on historical and institutional data, so that you can better anticipate and respond to changes in student demographics, program demand, and other areas that are essential to your institution's viability and growth. The trend analysis reveals major trends in the environment that may impact institutional enrollments by examining global, national, state or provincial, and local data that is relevant for your institution.

Market Opportunity Analysis

The market opportunity analysis identifies key markets that are not being reached and those that need further penetration or different marketing and communication strategies. The analysis provides a look at the awareness and perceptions of the institution, specific programs of most interest, course-taking preferences and barriers that prevent prospective area students from attending.

Academic Program Innovation

The proven methodology applied by SEM Works consists of an analysis of five dimensions of academic program relevance and opportunity: (1) student demand, (2) industry demand, (3) institutional capabilities to deliver compelling programs, (4) institutional capacity, and (5) competitor presence in the marketplace. Simply put—we assist institutions in positioning existing and new programs effectively on all five dimensions.

Student Retention Analysis

The Student Retention Analysis identifies factors that influence enrollment; determine root causes for students who drop out or stop out; assess why students leave to complete their studies elsewhere; and identify opportunities to improve student retention. Results of the analysis provide a powerful indirect method to determine which variables are correlated to students' intentions to continue at the institution or leave prematurely.

Enrollment Goal Setting

Most institutions have high-level goals predicated on institutional aspirations or financial needs. Rarely do institutions possess data-driven enrollment goals that are granular enough to guide enrollment strategy. Through our goal setting process, we analysis available business intelligence, enrollment capacity, institutional aspirations, and political pressures that combined yield specific enrollment targets by campus, academic program, student segment, instructional delivery method, etc. Most importantly, our consultants help you to develop strategies designed to achieve identified enrollment goals.

Other Research Services

In addition to these research services, SEM Works' strategic partner, Academica Group, Inc., offers a range of research services such a University/College Applicant Survey™ and an Admit/Decline Survey™.

Customized studies can be designed. Please contact SEM WORKS to discuss your specific needs.

Testimonials

"We are extremely pleased with the fine work of Dr. Black and the SEM Works team. The enrollment audit, market analysis, competitive analysis, and SWOT process have provided us with a wealth of quantitative data and qualitative information on which to build our marketing plan. Throughout the process we have been impressed with Dr. Black’s understanding of ATC’s culture and the issues facing technical colleges. His customized reports and prioritized recommendations have put us in a position to improve our market share and grow our enrollment. We look forward to our ongoing relationship with Dr. Black and SEM Works as we develop our long range marketing plan."

Susan Winsor, President, Aiken Technical College

Success Story:

Confederation College Logo

  • Web: http://www.confederationc.on.ca
  • Type: Public, 4-year
  • Enrollment: 3,200 full-time postsecondary students and 10,000 part-time students annually
  • Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada; six regional campuses are located in the communities of Dryden, Fort Frances, Geraldton, Kenora, Marathon and Sioux Lookout

Conducted a comprehensive four-day on-site enrollment audit, SWOT analysis, a competitive analysis with mystery shopping, market gap analysis survey; ongoing consulting assistance in the development and implementation of the enrollment master plan; consulting services to support the execution of the SEM master plan including ongoing training, coaching, culture change management, evaluation, feedback, and adjustment of the implementation; and provision of tools, resource material, etc., required to complete projects; project management assistance, etc.

"We are very pleased with the excellent consultancy of the SEM WORKS team. The enrolment audit and market analysis research was thorough, clear, and very informative. Consequently, we know much more about our current internal strengths and weaknesses as well as the external threats and opportunities in our future. The competitive analysis will offer us opportunities to refine our messages and reposition the College. Throughout the process we have been impressed with Dr. Black's understanding of our issues and the nuances of the Canadian system of higher education. We look forward to our continued relationship with SEM WORKS as we collaborate on a strategic enrolment management master plan that will grow our enrolment."

Brian Ktytor; Director of Marketing, Communication, and External Relations Confederation College


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