Driving Toward a Degree: The Evolution of Planning and Advising in Higher Education

A confluence of factors, including a shift to performance-based funding and declining student enrollment, has led to an increased focus on student retention and on-time graduation at postsecondary institutions. In response, over 100 vendors in the integrated planning and advising services market have introduced products aimed at improving student retention and graduation rates. These product offerings vary significantly in capability and maturity, but all aim to fix the inadequate model many institutions have in place, in which retention and advising efforts are disjointed and underserve the student. Our two-part series Driving Toward a Degree: The Evolution of Planning and Advising in Higher Education is intended to equip institutions with an understanding of this immature but quickly evolving vendor landscape. These papers also identify the gaps between the supply and demand sides of the market and, within the context of those realities, provide institutions with a guide for selecting and implementing a student success and retention strategy.