Associate Vice President, Research

Elaine Millar

Gray Insights

Where Have the Adult Students Gone?

Why is adult enrollment in higher education declining? With over 117 million American adults lacking a college degree, the opportunity to tap into this vast population seems promising! We identify the sectors experiencing the most significant declines and showcase successful institutions that have attracted and graduated adult learners through tailored academic programs.

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Gray Data

Competition is Fierce: How US Colleges Can Stand Out to International Students

Although the US remains the top destination for inbound international students, it’s losing ground to foreign institutions. The good news? You can win back your fair share of foreign students by offering programs that international students want. Learn which programs are attracting the most international students and how to target high-opportunity areas for recruiting.

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Gray Insights

New and Emerging Academic Programs for 2023

Discover the emerging academic programs that could shake up higher education in 2023! From the Creator Economy to Energy Storage, Climate Change Adaptation, and the Science of Well-Being, these innovative emerging programs address cultural shifts, new technologies, and scientific breakthroughs that are shaping the world. Learn how early adoption of emerging programs can positively impact both students and schools, and position them for success in a changing world.

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Gray Insights

Campus Creators: How Higher Ed Can Prepare Students for the Creator Economy

Discover how higher education institutions can prepare students for the $100 billion Creator Economy. From college athletes cashing in on the recent NCAA ruling, to companies needing employees with digital and social media marketing skills, the creator economy offers an abundance of opportunities for students. Learn how colleges and universities are expanding their programs to include courses in marketing, videography, editing, and more to help students succeed in this competitive space.

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Gray Data

Enrollment in Certificate Programs is Trending Up

Good News! Certificate program enrollment is surging! Using our Program Enrollment Dashboard, we analyzed National Student Clearinghouse data to identify the top-growing certificate programs from fall 2021 to fall 2022. From welding to business analytics, find out which programs experienced the strongest demand among new students and contributed to enrollment growth at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

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Gray Insights

Recharge Your Program Portfolio with This Emerging Program

Looking for an exciting and innovative field of study? Look no further than energy storage! As advances in energy technology continue to drive demand for more efficient and powerful ways to store energy, the need for skilled graduates in this field is growing rapidly. From mechanical and thermal energy storage to hydrogen fuel cells and even quantum batteries, the possibilities for innovation are endless. Discover how higher education is rising to the challenge and offering exciting new programs in this emerging field.

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Gray Data

Fall Enrollment Increased for the First Time in Five Years

Ready for some good news? After five years of declining enrollment, higher education is seeing a glimmer of hope with a 1% increase in new student enrollment in Fall 2022 compared to the previous year. Get a comprehensive analysis of the data and discover which programs and disciplines are growing and which ones are declining.

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Gray Insights

Smart Plants Offer a Garden Variety of Academic Program Opportunities

Imagine plants that can sense danger, communicate with each other and even act as radio stations. The world of smart plants is here, and it’s not just a fantasy from a Disney movie. Explore the multidisciplinary growth potential for academic programs and careers in the emerging field of smart plants, from phytoremediation to the Internet of Plants and beyond. Take a leaf of faith and discover the exciting possibilities of this fascinating field.

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Gray Insights

How Climate Change Could Lead to New Opportunities for Higher Education

Are you prepared for a Jumanji-like world? Rising sea levels, natural disasters, and emerging societal shifts are the new reality. As climate change effects worsen, colleges and universities must launch new programs to prepare skilled graduates for the exploding job market focused on adapting structures, institutions, and society.

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