by Ryan Dougherty | Mar 18, 2025 | Enrollment, Marketing & Branding, Strategy
Azusa Pacific University’s decision to reinstate football at the NCAA Division III level isn’t just about bringing back a beloved sport — it’s a bold strategic move that could reshape the future of athletics in Christian higher education. By prioritizing academics,...
by Ryan Dougherty | Feb 26, 2025 | Strategy
Sadly, strategic plans often fail. You’ve probably seen it happen when leadership teams spend countless hours crafting detailed strategies, only to watch them fizzle out during execution. Why does this keep happening? The answer might surprise you in its simplicity:...
by Ryan Dougherty | Oct 8, 2024 | Enrollment, Financial Aid, Marketing & Branding
After more than 20 years in college enrollment, including several as a Vice President, I thought helping my firstborn child choose a college would be second nature. Turns out, I was wrong. Parenting constantly reshapes your expectations and forces you to make...
by Ryan Dougherty | Mar 20, 2024 | Enrollment, Strategy
Blog Brief: The “Flutie Effect” refers to the significant increase in college applications experienced by Boston College following Doug Flutie’s iconic “Hail Mary” pass in November 1984. Investing in sports can attract students but might make non-athletes feel left...
by Ryan Dougherty | Jul 10, 2023 | Strategy
Blog Brief: Best practices should not be confused with common practices. Consider the specific situational context of your institution. Avoid prioritizing operational effectiveness over strategy. Beware of blindly imitating practices from other institutions. Full...
