Strategic Enrollment Management Plan
Executive Summary of Empire State University’s Strategic Enrollment Management Plan
Empire State University’s Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Plan represents a transformative roadmap, grounded in the Strategic Plan, Elevate ’28, aimed at solidifying the university’s position as a leading online public university and expanding its influence as a national leader in flexible, high-quality, and affordable education. Building on post-pandemic enrollment momentum, the plan outlines a comprehensive strategy for attracting, enrolling, retaining, and graduating a diverse population of learners. Through focused efforts across marketing, recruitment, retention, and technology, Empire State seeks to align institutional growth with its mission of access and innovation in online education with a goal of 20,000 students by 2028.
The marketing and communications strategy is central to enhancing the university’s visibility and reputation. Leveraging the public online university brand identity, the plan ensures consistent messaging across platforms and campaigns, targeting specific demographics.
Recruitment goals emphasize expanding enrollment among key student groups. Customized communication, enhanced financial aid support, application process improvements, and strong partnership development will serve as drivers for enrollment growth.
To sustain long-term retention and student satisfaction, the SEM plan integrates technology enhancements, operational efficiency, and personalized student support. By embedding data-informed decision-making, adaptive learning tools, and continuous professional development, Empire State will foster a more inclusive, responsive, and technologically advanced online learning environment that supports all learners from prospect to graduate.