New Trend in Higher Education Marketing (6) “Utilizing For-profit Consulting Firms to Improve Institutional Management”
In the US, there are many consulting firms that provide universities with institutional research services. Mr. Takeshi Yanagiura is one such consultant. As one of a few Japanese professionals in institutional research in the US, he has participated in many projects in a variety of higher education settings such as states, institutions, and non-profit organizations. Mr. Yanagiura currently serves as the Director of Research at Postsecondary Analytics, LLC.
US higher education institutions highly value analytics, but not all institutions have sufficient IR capacity to deliver high quality analytic products and services due to lack of staff, skills, or both. Furthermore, grant-funded programs usually require an external evaluator. It is for these reasons that the demand for analytics consulting firms has been consistently high in the US.
Postsecondary Analytics began offering institutional research consulting services on the Japanese higher education market in April, 2013. One of their new products is Optimizing Academic Balance (OAB), a unique IR process developed by Dr. Kenneth Hoyt, who has served in various leadership roles at American universities, and is the current CEO of Higher Education Practice, LLC. OAB evaluates academic programs in light of their education quality and the institution’s mission. It also includes budget analysis and a supply and demand study for each program, helping the management team make data-driven decisions for effective resource allocation in student recruitment and program opening, closing, or consolidation. OAB has proved its effectiveness in US institutions. Its potential impact on the management of Japanese institutions cannot be overstated. (Transl. Takeshi Yanagiura)