Higher education is facing a lot of criticism these days. People talk about lower public confidence, increasing campus protests, fewer students enrolling, rising costs, heavy student debt, and degrees that don’t lead to good jobs. It seems like there’s a lot of negativity surrounding colleges and universities across the country.
But let’s take a closer look. How often do we hear about the effects of institutions far from Utah? Can we think of Ivy League schools or high-ranking West Coast colleges that have truly helped Utah’s economy? It’s easy to judge the whole sector based on a few problems, but every college plays a unique role in its own community.
Instead of focusing on the negative, what if we celebrated colleges that improve lives and boost local economies? A shining example of this is Weber State University.
Recently, the U.S. Department of Education started a program to honor colleges that innovate and help more students graduate. Weber State stood out among 6,751 institutions, making it into the top 200, which is less than 3% of all schools nationwide. Not only did Weber State make the list, but it was also the only Utah institution recognized in the “predominantly associates” category. This shows Weber State’s dedication to providing both two-year and four-year programs for its community.
Though Weber State didn’t win one of the six top awards, its recognition led to an opportunity for me to contribute to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities’ newsletter. The article highlighted how Weber State uses data to make better choices for students. The focus is on supporting those from lower-income backgrounds, improving graduation rates, cutting down costs, and providing essential resources.
One way Weber State helps reduce college costs is through its Concurrent Enrollment program, which offers 130 courses to high school students at just $5 per credit hour. This allows students to earn college credits while still in high school, which saves them time and money when they go on to earn their bachelor’s degree.
A recent study emphasized the need for graduates with valuable skills in Utah’s workforce. It recommended that schools partner with businesses to better prepare students for their future. Weber State has been doing just that. We’ve worked with local business leaders to shape our curriculum and ensure students gain practical experience through internships, community service, and research projects. This approach equips graduates for success in high-demand fields like healthcare, computer science, and engineering.
Higher education often struggles with slow change and outdated practices. At Weber State, we asked ourselves if we were contributing to these issues. We took a hard look at our operations and decided to make some changes. Last fall, we eliminated application fees, admitted over 10,000 high school seniors directly, and simplified transfer pathways for students coming from technical colleges.
To further support our students, we increased the number of academic advisors and now ensure that first-time students meet with one. Communication with students has improved, too; we’ve introduced direct texts and chatbots to keep them informed. We also revamped our new student orientation, providing important tools for their success.
In the past five years, we’ve seen significant advances in student success. Our six-year graduation rate improved by 12 percentage points, particularly benefiting low-income and first-generation students. We have also made progress in closing the completion gap for first-generation students, reducing it from 7% to 4%. Plus, students receiving federal financial aid are graduating at the same rate as their peers.
While these achievements are encouraging, we recognize that many students still face challenges in completing their degrees. We need to keep examining and improving our strategies to ensure every student gets the support they need to succeed.
It’s easy to throw criticism at higher education as a whole. However, when we do that, we risk overlooking the positive changes and successes happening at institutions like Weber State in our own communities.
Brad Mortensen is the president of Weber State University, known for its affordability and strong outcomes for graduates.
Check out this related article: Unlock Your Future: State Scholarships Now Open for Education Majors – WRBI Radio
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