Elevate 2022 Preview: Top 5 Professional Development Sessions for Enrollment Managers

From our keynote speaker, Angela Maiers, to our intensive pre-conference workshops perfect for FACTS beginners, there’s a perfect session for everyone this July 11-14 at Elevate 2022. This year’s conference in Dallas will feature over 100 sessions, covering topics like finance, communications and marketing, database management, and more.  

With so many sessions to choose from, however, it can almost seem overwhelming to decide which ones to attend – especially if you’re in charge of enrollment management at your school and have your eye on nearly all the sessions. That’s why we’ve pulled together this handy list of our top five professional development sessions for enrollment managers. Use this as a guide to start planning how you’ll make the most out of your Elevate 2022 experience, but feel free to explore all the sessions that interest you. With so much to offer, you’re guaranteed to never get bored! 

Effective Retention Strategies to Keep Your Families Enrolled – By Dr. Rick Newberry, CEO of Enrollment Catalyst 

Are you concerned about retention for the new school year? Do you have a retention plan in place to keep your families enrolled? During this workshop, we will discuss effective strategies you can implement to keep your families enrolled, highlighting ways that you can inspire your school community to focus on their role in the retention effort. 

The Marketing Jumpstart – By Kurt Lewis, Consultant at Education Marketing Solutions 

This action-packed hour of techniques, tips, and tricks will kick your marketing efforts into high gear! Kurt Lewis will provide practical advice on topics including value propositions, parent ambassadors, websites, and financial aid. 

Supercharge your Enrollment! 7 Quick and Easy Steps to a Full & Engaged Funnel – By Jesse Roberts, CEO of Unbound 360

In this interactive session, Jesse Roberts will provide tips, tricks, and strategies to get the most out of your admission efforts, whether you are an office of one or twenty-one staff members. 

Using FACTS for Continuous Enrollment – By Tracy Smith, Enrollment Specialist at FACTS 

Is Continuous Enrollment right for your school? Learn more about the anatomy of Continuous Enrollment and the various options you have in FACTS to support this enrollment practice. Hear about all the ins and outs and decide which option is best for your school. 

What’s New in FACTS Application & Enrollment? – By Courtney Haindel, FACTS Product Marketing Manager 

Would you believe us if we said almost everything? Application and Enrollment has changed a lot. This session is designed to help you understand all the new features released in the past two years – from reporting and easier bulk communication to checklist upgrades, tasks, events, and so much more! 

For up-to-date information on session times, speakers, and more, view our full Elevate 2022 agenda. 

Still haven’t registered yet? Reserve your spot here.  

Over the years, advancements in technology have increased our reliance on it. Almost every aspect of our life is integrated with technology, from how we shop and do our banking to how we communicate with family and friends. One of the parts of our lives most significantly impacted by technology is education. Gone are the days when exposure to technology in schools was limited to computer classes where students learned how to type on one of the school’s few computers and devices were prohibited on campus.

Today, technology is everywhere in schools – and at every level of education, from elementary school through university. With various education systems, apps, software, and devices created to make learning more easily accessible, more schools are utilizing these educational methods. In fact, many schools are extremely reliant on these new technologies, with modern amenities quickly becoming the norm for classrooms and administrative offices. While there may be growing pains setting up new edtech, schools soon find themselves reaping the rewards of modernization.

As schools throughout the world begin realizing how important it is to embrace technology and integrate it with their traditional setups, finding the right educational software for the job is key. Let’s take a closer look at what these products are and how they can solve day-to-day challenges in schools.

What EdTech is Essential?

Some traditionalists are still skeptical about the way technology works with education. The global pandemic has proven, however, both how important it is for schools to have technology solutions in place and how well these methods can work. As classes were forced to move online, we’ve seen firsthand how embracing technology allows schools to ensure that learning does not stop for unexpected situations. Here are a few examples.

Student Information Systems. An SIS keeps your school apprised of all student, teacher and family information in one system – such as grades, attendance, lesson plans, student medical information, transcripts, lunch orders, and much more. It reduces the number of places schools have to keep track of data, and provides reporting on almost every aspect of your institution. Teachers also love how much time they’re able to save. With educational software, they can store all their lesson plans and learning materials in one convenient location, freeing up room on their desks and in their filing cabinets. They can also record and review grades digitally, eliminating the chances of human error when manually recording grades.

Learning Management Systems. A variety of learning management tools have popped up over the years that help students prepare for university, make teachers lives easier, and provide data to help schools strategize. The best ones integrate seamlessly with your student information system. If a student misses a day of school, they can quickly get access to their homework – all they need to do is log into the school account to access all their study materials, with no need for requesting makeup assignments or contacting their teacher to see what they’ve missed. Another bonus? The system is standardized, so students never need to worry about unfair grading.

Admissions Tools. Prospective families are searching for your school online. And if there isn’t an online way for them to inquire, apply, and enroll for your school, they may move on to a more modern (sophisticated?) institution. FACTS Application & Enrollment allows your school see the full picture of your admissions funnel, so you can forecast enrollment trends at your school and accurately budget for upcoming school years.

Mobile Apps for Learning and Communication. There are countless educational systems and apps designed to examine and nurture the student from wherever they are located. They also allow schools to instantly communicate with families through push notifications. Imagine having all of the online tools your school uses in one school-branded place, plus the ability to message your families with important announcements. That’s what FACTS Family App provides.

These forms of technological education – such as student information and learning management systems – create efficiencies, as schools, students, and families can find everything under one roof. So, how does this software work?

Educational software like FACTS works to align the entire school and make it more inclusive.

The Solution to Common Problems

Unfortunately, many educational institutions still lag in adopting technology despite the many benefits of integrating it into their schools. Some of the most common problems that can be addressed with educational technology include:

• Lack of security for important student information
• Increasing stacks of years of paperwork that need to be kept for records
• Communication delays between teachers, administration, and students
• Loss of education due to circumstances like the pandemic or extended unplanned absences
• An unsustainable learning environment that uses large amounts of resources that negatively affect both the environment and the school’s budget
• Wasted time due to tasks such as checking papers and attendance which could be done within seconds digitally
• Increasing complaints from parents who feel as if they are excluded from their child’s academic life

With a modern world that is constantly solving problems with technology, educational software like FACTS can create a much better, efficient learning environment for students, teachers, parents, and administrators. From making it possible for students to learn from home to promoting sustainability and healthy learning environments, the time is now to embrace technology in the classroom.

Keeping security a priority while relieving the compliance burden

Keeping payment compliance top of mind is critical as businesses evolve with modern technologies, changing school policies, and an ever-changing world. Although maintaining this compliance for cloud-based software is incredibly important, it can also feel demanding at times. Regular audits and reports, as well as a highly knowledgeable staff, are all essential to keep payment security prioritized at a school.

So how can schools keep the security of the cardholder and their information as a top priority without burdening themselves with endless work?  Schools have a choice here: install a software application on site and maintain PCI DSS compliance for all payments processed or partner with an SaaS vendor or ASP who maintains the software to meet that PCI DSS compliance for you, reducing compliance scope. Do you know which choice you’ve made?

What is PCI DSS compliance? 

Payment processing applications are governed primarily by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), which maintains security policies and procedures based on requirements from major payment brands like VISA.

PCI DSS covers:

• The security of the environments that store, process, or transmit account data
• Requirements for the security management, policies, procedures, network architecture, secure software design, security awareness training, and other critical protective measures

The Payment Application-Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) is derived from the PCI DSS and details payment application requirements to be PCI DSS compliant.

When a school purchases a PA-DSS validated product, they receive not only the software application, but also the responsibilities for:

• The infrastructure support and maintenance that will support the application
• The installation of the application in a PCI DSS compliant manner
• The maintenance, administration, and support of the application within a PCI DSS environment

These responsibilities are a lot of work for a school. IT staff will have to use a vendor implementation guide to install the application on-site in a PCI DSS compliant manner. The PA-DSS software is required to meet the applicable PCI DSS requirements, which include:

• Having a process for securely deleting stored cardholder data that exceeds defined retention
• Configuring and patching systems supporting the application to meet configuration standards
• Implementing file integrity management, anti-virus, and audit logging on the systems that support the application

Phew!

Compliance requirements vary depending on the number of transactions processed annually by your school. A smaller school with fewer transactions per year may be able to complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) to assess security for cardholder data, but a larger school that processes a high volume of payment transactions may be required to work with a PCI Qualified Security Assessor to complete a more in-depth assessment.

How to relieve the compliance burden at your school

Looking for an alternative? One way to reduce this compliance scope is to choose a vendor-hosted solution or SaaS software solution for your school. With these solutions, the application software provider is responsible for ensuring the hosted environment is secure, greatly reducing the burden on the school.

When a school decides to use FACTS’ PCI DSS validated SaaS solutions, they can feel confident knowing that we adhere to industry-leading PCI standards to manage our network, secure our cloud-based applications, and set strong policies across our organization. We even have our own cyber security group, which works closely with the corporate cybersecurity group of our parent company Nelnet, Inc. Together, we have an array of experts in compliance and security.

FACTS is assessed as a Level 1 PCI DSS Service Provider, which means that we are responsible to ensure that:

• A PCI DSS assessment is completed annually by an external PCI Qualified Security Assessor (PCI QSA)
• A vulnerability management process is in place that includes regular scans and penetration testing as well as timely patching based on risk
• The application is developed, installed, configured, and maintained to meet or exceed PCI DSS requirements
• Security appliances are in place and monitored, and engineering staff are alerted of any anomalies
• Incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans are in place, tested, and validated

We ensure that PCI compliance is part of our standard process in a number of ways, including:

• Monitoring security controls
• Reviewing hardware and software technologies to ensure they are supported by the vendor and meet security standards
• Evaluating changes to the environment or the organizational structure
• Performing periodic reviews and communications to confirm all PCI DSS requirements continue to be in place and personnel are following secure processes
• Verifying that appropriate evidence is maintained to assist in the PCI DSS compliance assessment

Trust between school and vendor

While protecting cardholder data is key, schools must consider the full scope of their compliance responsibilities. To best serve school constituents, including students, alumni, donors, and other stakeholders, schools must be able to provide flexible payment options that are both mobile-friendly and fully secure.

Schools can rest assured that FACTS has taken the appropriate steps to secure the data they’ve entrusted to us, and in doing so, are committed to relieving their institutional compliance burden.

The shift to remote learning and hybrid work was already becoming common before the COVID-19 pandemic completely changed how schools operate. When students are learning from home or school staff is working out of the office, technology is crucial to maintaining day-to-day routines. Unfortunately, just as schools have learned to adapt and use technology to handle this new normal, so have cybercriminals.

TechTarget partners with SearchSecurity to educate people on security industry knowledge. Their purpose is to explore topics and best practices on issues like data security and strategies, threat detection, network security, and web security tools. TechTarget recently published an article about the increasing amount of cybersecurity threats and attacks schools are experiencing. Here are some of the key takeaways:

Cybersecurity Threats Behind the Increase

The article states that there are three main types of cybersecurity threats:

1. Ransomware
2. Zoombombing
3. Phishing

Being aware of these common cybersecurity threats allows your school to prioritize technical and non-technical defenses, like security awareness training for students, teachers, school administrators, staff, and parents. Let’s take a closer look at these common threats.

Ransomware

Ransomware attacks are becoming more common because there is an increase of software availability. These attacks occur when cyber criminals take control of a school’s software until a ransom is paid. During this time, the criminals can take any information, including student and parent financial data. The longer the ransom takes to be resolved, the more information the cybercriminal obtains.

The article cites an example of a citywide ransom attack that forced Hartford Public Schools to postpone their first day of classes when a software system responsible for delivering real-time information on bus routes was impacted. The Hartford mayor said that over 200 of their 300 computer servers were affected. This is only one of the many ransomware attacks targeting schools throughout the country.

Zoombombing

Zoombombing is when an unwanted internet troll or hacker gets into a private video conference call. This type of attack causes disruption and damage. Luckily, according to Check Point security engineer Maya Levine, schools can take steps to avoid this.

“Zoombombing is one type of attack we’ll likely see but it can be avoided pretty easily if teachers take advantage of and utilize the security features offered by the platform,” she says. She warns schools, however, that other cybersecurity threats can pose serious problems to entire districts. “Denial of service attacks will be incredibly disruptive to schools, like the one recently in the Rialto district,” she explains.

Phishing

Phishing, as defined by the Federal Trade Commission, is when scammers use text messages or emails to trick an individual into giving out their personal information. For example, a hacker could send out an email to school employees that looks like the actual emails they receive from their school. An employee may quickly open and respond to the phishing email without knowing how much harm they are doing. Phishing affects countless people throughout the country on a daily basis, with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reporting that people lost $57 million to phishing schemes in one year.

Security Recommendations

The TechTarget article suggests a few basis steps for schools to reduce the threat of cyberattacks. These include:

• Security training for school administrators and staff to prevent phishing attacks
• Implementing better access control for remote learning tools and platforms
• Giving parents the ability to freeze their children’s credit to prevent identity theft
• Educating students about online safety, including not clicking on free item offers, accessing online games safely, and not filling out forms with their personal information and/or school credentials

The entire school community can serve as the first line of defense for school data and should be trained accordingly to recognize, avoid, and report any situation that can affect the safety of the school’s information. Security training should be provided periodically throughout the year to continually reinforce cybersecurity awareness. Schools can take additional steps to help support training and awareness by putting posters throughout the school, creating printed handbooks for quick reference, or creating online learning lessons via an LMS.

For information about various types of cybersecurity threats, download our Glossary of School Cybersecurity Terms.

While many of us know the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) for students, providing teachers with similar tools can be just as beneficial for schools – especially in a world that’s been turned upside down by COVID-19. Educators have always had their hands full but are now tasked with not only navigating the changes and uncertainty of the pandemic, but also supporting their students through this crisis. It’s become clearer that prioritizing the mental health of teachers is a critical component in addressing the needs of students and communities. To put it simply, if we don’t take care of teachers, we can’t take care of students.

One of the easiest ways to see the effects of not prioritizing teachers’ mental health is retention rates. While teacher turnover has been a pervasive problem in school districts throughout the country, with nearly 40% of all teachers leaving the profession within their first five years, rates have increased dramatically since the pandemic began. In fact, 1 in 4 teachers considered leaving their job in 2021. Teachers that leave the field cite many different reasons for their departures, but one of the biggest common themes is overall lack of support. So what can schools do to create a supportive environment for educators and keep them in the classroom?

The Link Between Teacher SEL and Retention

Many experts agree that the answer may be in SEL training and resources that allow administrators to support teachers’ mental health needs, demonstrating how valued and heard they are. A recent study from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and the Collaborative for Social Emotional and Academic Learning (CASEL) of 5,000 teachers found that they are more in need of SEL than ever before, citing anxiety and stress related to the pandemic.

“Meeting the social-emotional needs of students, staff, and communities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic is every educator’s number one priority,” explains Greg Walcott, author of Significant 72: Unleashing the Power of Relationships in Today’s Schools. “The past two years have not only brought about new levels of stress and anxiety, but have made more apparent the equity, financial, and learning gaps prevalent across the globe. This reality has left educators feeling unprepared to meet the needs of their students and themselves. Quality professional development during this time is crucial not only to student and staff well-being, but staff retention as well.”

Research supports Walcott’s position, with a strong link seen between SEL and teacher retention rates. CASEL reports that teachers with more highly developed emotional skills report greater job satisfaction and less burnout. These teachers also have better relationships with their students and administrators, creating an overall more positive work environment that fosters retention. With 80% of educators from across 15 countries stating that positive emotions and emotional well-being are crucial to success in the classroom, it’s clear that SEL can no longer be just for students if we want to slow down teacher turnover.

Teacher SEL in Action

Schools that know the true value of SEL take steps to ensure that this approach is implemented schoolwide, with a focus on adult learning serving as one of the key indicators that the school is taking a systemic approach to SEL. In these settings, staff have regular opportunities to cultivate their own social, emotional, and cultural competences, just as students are encouraged to do. Educators are also able to collaborate with one another, build trusting relationships, and maintain a strong community.

A schoolwide SEL approach doesn’t just mean creating a supportive environment, however; it’s important to take concrete steps to find ways to support staff SEL efforts. This can include encouraging teachers to create their own personalized SEL professional learning plans, creating a culture of appreciation, or implementing and modeling a growth mindset across the school. It can also include providing dedicated opportunities for teacher self-care and re-energizing, as well as putting in place other retention tools and programs for teachers to participate in.

One of the best – and most underutilized – SEL tools for teacher retention is coaching. Teacher coaching creates a personalized path for educators to develop the skills they need to manage the daily stresses of teaching. It allows teachers to focus on their social-emotional needs, increasing their confidence in both their teaching abilities and their ability to handle stressful situations. By giving teachers the tools they need to focus on their mental health, they’ll feel more confident facing new challenges and ultimately staying in the profession.

Incorporating SEL into other programs like mentoring, professional development, and teacher leadership opportunities can also help to build a stable workforce and minimize teacher turnover. In the same way that teachers are encouraged to gain professional skills, they should be encouraged to develop social-emotional skills – especially new teachers. “The more supported teachers are in their early careers, the more likely they are to stay in the profession,” explains Laurie VanderPloeg, Director of the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs.

With teachers ranking personal resources to support mental and physical health as the second-most helpful contribution in educator well-being, second only to more personal time throughout the day, it’s clear that establishing formal SEL programs is worth the investment. SEL opportunities like coaching programs and mentorships should be easy for teachers to access, demonstrating not only that their hard work is appreciated, but that there are programs in place to help them keep growing within their roles.

Final Thoughts

While students will always be the focus of education, it’s important to ensure that teachers are taken care of too. Just as students need a safe emotional environment to learn, teachers need to know their mental health is a priority to provide the best education to their students. Investing in SEL programs not only creates better learning outcomes, but also fosters an environment that teachers are happy to work in for years to come.

As an organization that works with education-related businesses daily, it’s fitting that a learning mindset is a fundamental part of FACTS. From mentorship programs and coffee chats to podcasts and book clubs, FACTS offers countless opportunities for associates to learn and develop, creating the awesome work environment that makes up one of our core values.

One of the most exciting and robust learning options offered to associates is Nelnet University. This expansive platform offers asynchronous and instructor-led courses, cohorts, micro-degree programs, personalized coaching, and more to associates across all Nelnet’s business lines – including FACTS. Courses cover a wide range of topics, giving associates the opportunity to upskill, reskill, and pursue topics that interest them both personally and professionally.

With 94% of employees stating that they would stay at a company longer if it invested in helping them to learn, educational resources are no longer optional for businesses. “The conversation is no longer about what I can do for my employer; it’s about what they can do for me. How can I grow with them?” explains Nycci Jones, Director of Organizational Development & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Nelnet and founder of Nelnet University. “We definitely meet that demand with Nelnet University.”

Nelnet University 101

The initial idea for Nelnet University was fittingly born in a college classroom. While Jones was studying for her PhD, she was inspired by a lecture by Dr. David Vance, founder of the successful Caterpillar University at Caterpillar Inc., on the ROI of learning. Thinking back on previous conversations with colleagues about associate training being outsourced, Jones began thinking about how beneficial it would be for her own company to offer a way for associates to learn, develop, and grow within the walls of the organization. By 2018, Nelnet University was up and running.

“The programs were built very intentionally so we can meet people where they are at all stages of their careers,” says Jones. “We want people to be able to learn on a daily basis.” And learn they have. Since its inception, associates have completed over 70,000 courses through Nelnet University, choosing from over 800 unique course offerings. In 2021 alone, use of the OnDemand library increased by 124%. In fact, Nelnet University alumni now make up nearly 50% of the total active workforce at Nelnet.

While learning remains the primary focus of Nelnet University, it’s also a powerful retention and engagement tool. “If an employee is in a six-month program, you’re retaining an employee for six months. You’re engaging them for six months. You put them in these programs and let them flourish,” states Jones.

The statistics speak for themselves. 94% of employees that have enrolled in a Nelnet University class are still employed within the organization and 44.3% of enrolled individuals have been promoted. In 2021, Nelnet even took home a BEST award from the Association for Talent Development, awarded to organizations with exceptional employee talent development.

So what exactly makes this award-winning program so successful? Let’s take a closer look at what’s in store once you enroll in Nelnet University.

Class is in Session

Nelnet University is comprised of four distinct schools, each offering different course materials for associates in all stages of their careers. The courses are designed to be built upon, with associates working through each progressively advanced school. Each school offers an executive-sanctioned cohort with a capstone project, which Jones explains speaks to how much the executives back the program and want to foster a culture of learning.

The School of Professional Development

The first school is the School of Professional Development, which is open to all employees and contains a staggering amount of learning materials. Chances are, if you want to learn something, you can learn it through the School of Professional Development. One of the most popular offerings within this school is the OnDemand Library, constantly updated with new courses covering everything from coding to photography. These courses are asynchronous and available outside the portal, meaning associates can access them anytime, anywhere.

This school is also home to FlexEd, which offers over 30 course packets with multiple units that allow associates to dive deeper into topics, the Basic Business Writing program, and the Preparing for Leadership cohort. Open to anyone in the company, this six-month cohort teaches associates the skills necessary for leadership, as well as how to become promotable. Participants also get to broaden their network, learning from people across the company and gaining access to Q and A’s, lunches, and more with head company executives.

One of the most unique learning opportunities within the School of Professional Development is the micro degree program. Through a partnership with edX, associates can take virtual courses from universities throughout the country, including Ivy League schools, to earn a micro bachelor’s or micro master’s degree. Associates not only get the opportunity to put this leadership course on their resumes, but can also put the credentials towards their degree if they continue with a formal program.

The School of Leadership

The second school within Nelnet University is the School of Leadership, intentionally designed to build on the skills gained in the School of Professional Development. As Jones explains, “People typically get promoted because they’re really good at their jobs. So they’re a subject matter expert, but do they have the skill set to actually lead people? We set up this program to address that.”

The school contains two cohorts, Emerging Leaders and Steps to Supervisory Success. Emerging Leaders helps team leaders gain the skills they need to successfully manage a team. Topics run the gamut from how to give constructive feedback to how to communicate in a diverse environment, establishing the skills leaders need to thrive in the workplace. Steps to Supervisory Success is the next step in the journey to leadership, delving into more important subjects for supervisors, like authentic leadership, delegation, and establishing strong team values.

As with all cohorts, enrolled associates will have the ability to learn from not only the course materials, but also the executives sponsoring the program. An added bonus? Both cohorts within the school are accredited at the MBA level, giving associates another opportunity to get a head start on degrees that can further increase their chances of promotions.

The School of Business Acumen

The path to leadership continues in the third school at Nelnet University, the School of Business Acumen. Open to managers on up, this school was designed to help associates in leadership roles broaden their scope as they move into manager roles, shifting focus from their specific department to the overall organization. This is achieved through an eleven-month program called IGNITE, where associates learn to see from an enterprise-wide perspective, employing new strategic thinking as they tackle course topics like change management, negotiation, and more.

The School of IT

The fourth and newest school in Nelnet University is the School of IT. As part of Nelnet University’s mission to meet employees where they’re at in their careers, Jones realized that certain groups might be missing out. “I realized that we were missing a big population of people. There’s a certain set of associates that need continuous education – and that’s IT,” she explains.

Nelnet University then set out to bring this continuous education in-house, partnering with the IT Team to ensure that the learning IT professionals need can be done through the university. The school includes opportunities for redevelopment, reskilling, upskilling, and pre- and post-assessments. Associates are also able to access learning paths and certification preps that help them prepare for the important certifications that are part of working in the IT field.

Extra Credit

Still hungry for knowledge? In addition to four robust schools of learning, Nelnet University also offers coaching, team building, and consulting. A team of certified internal coaches are available to coach individuals and teams on virtually anything, employing 360s, individual development plans, and more to help associates reach specific goals. This is a great way to move from theory into practice, with a designated coach to help associates make a plan and then check in to ensure that they’re staying on target.

The Nelnet University team takes the same approach to Team Building by building custom trainings after consulting with teams on their specific needs. From working on better communication to creating a psychologically safe space for a team at odds, Nelnet University works with teams on an individual basis to create programs designed to help them build successful work environments.

The Future

With Nelnet University celebrating its 5^th anniversary next year, the team continues to look for new ways to create learning for every part of the organization. Jones reveals that the team is about to launch a new campaign called NU 4 You, designed to bring learning opportunities to associates working in contact centers. “These associates are speaking to our core values by providing superior customer service to our customers, but they spend a lot of time on the phone and have to meet certain matrices. We wanted to find a way to get them involved,” states Jones.

NU 4 You solves for this, offering associates the chance to do bi-weekly trainings through the OnDemand catalog, as well as participate in associate resource groups and mentor programs. “It’s so exciting because we’re tapping into an area that is not only the most diverse throughout our organization, but also has the most people,” Jones explains. By bringing a new group of employees into the fold of Nelnet University, the team has found yet another way to meet associates exactly where they are.

From this exciting upcoming program to the expansive course offerings already available, it’s clear that FACTS will continue to invest in the learning mindset that drives the organization. From the newest associate to the most seasoned executive, it’s programs like Nelnet University that make lifelong learning possible.

What do some of the world’s top companies like Google, Goldman Sachs, and Adobe have in common? They all take great steps to foster a learning mindset throughout their organizations. This approach to company culture, also referred to as a growth mindset, is defined by psychologist Carol Dweck as the idea that individuals’ talents are not innate gifts, but skills that can be developed through good strategies, hard work, and input from others. When entire companies adopt this mindset, they put more energy into learning and take advantage of people’s natural instincts to learn throughout our lives – to great company-wide success.

The corporate learning industry is a $360 billion industry and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. With surveys from as far back as 2018 showing that opportunities for employee development is second to only the nature of the work itself in workplace happiness, LinkedIn’s 2021 Workplace Learning Report shows that companies are starting to make changes to reflect this. 59% of companies surveyed stated that employee upskilling and reskilling were a top priority for them over the last year, while 51% reported that creating opportunities for internal mobility was especially important.

From Project Lightbulb at Allstate, where team members are encouraged to spend a half day every week learning new things, to Adobe’s Learning Fund that provides $10,000 to employees for education and certifications, companies have committed to prioritizing learning. A growth mindset reaps far more benefits than just employees picking up new skills; it’s truly a rising tide that lifts all boats.

While it’s impossible to quantify all the ways a learning mindset can benefit your business, here are some of the top perks to adopting this approach:

#1 It helps employee retention rate.

By now, we’ve probably all heard of the Great Resignation, with 4.53 million Americans quitting their jobs in November 2021 alone. Employee retention has become more important than ever, with companies across all industries scrambling for ways to keep their workforce happy. Though there’s no magic formula for preventing employees from quitting, creating an environment where learning is encouraged has proven to improve employee satisfaction. LinkedIn reports that employees that spend time at work learning are 47% less likely to be stressed, 39% more likely to feel productive, and 21% more likely to feel confident – key factors in overall workplace happiness and retention. We’ve seen this firsthand here at FACTS, with an 94% employee retention rate for associates that have enrolled in a course through Nelnet University.

#2 It helps attract top talent.

LinkedIn’s research also shows that the inability to grow and learn is employees’ number one reason for leaving a position, ranking roughly twice as important as the inability to be promoted or get a raise. In other words, once people feel like they’re not growing, they’ll look for new employment. Creating a growth mindset in your organization with clearly defined paths to learning and upskilling makes your company attractive to not only new employees, but to top talent looking to grow long-term in their roles.

#3 It motivates employees to take on new challenges.

When companies create a culture that champions learning and development, employees feel more comfortable tackling new challenges. Employees that spent time learning at work reported feeling 23% more ready to take on additional responsibilities than those that don’t. This allows companies to promote from their own talent pool and expand into new business areas. As employees successfully master new skills – and maybe even share what they’ve learned with others – their confidence increases, further adding to workplace happiness.

#4 It “future proofs” your business.

We’ve seen over the last few years how important it is to be able to pivot your business plan quickly. The COVID-19 pandemic sped up digital adoption rates by several years, with companies embracing new technologies and interacting with customers digitally more than ever. This led to growing pains for many organizations as skill gaps emerged in their workforce. Companies with learning mindsets that were already continuously upskilling their employees, however, were much better equipped to adapt to these changes. In a digital transformation study from MIT and Deloitte, it was found that among high performing companies, 73% of employees updated their skills every 6 months and 44% updated them continuously. It’s clear that investing in learning is no longer optional to stay on top in 2022 and beyond.

Simple Ways to Build a Learning Mindset in Your Company

• Bring learning into channels your employees are already using. Most employees spend a lot of their day in Teams, Slack, and SharePoint. Create a learning channel within these tools where employees can share resources and things they’ve learned in casual, approachable ways.
• Dedicate time for learning. While employees are more than willing to learn, they often don’t have the time do so. Create a policy of dedicated learning time and encourage employees to take advantage of it. It doesn’t have to be long to make a big difference.
• Make it easy. Putting all of your company’s learning resources in one central hub makes it easy for employees to quickly access them. Instead of employees searching YouTube and Google for resources, direct them to trainings compiled internally. While there are advantages to encouraging employees to seek out learning opportunities that interest them, oftentimes it’s easier to learn something that’s readily available.
• Don’t overlook email. Emails still make up a huge part of the average workday, with many employees keeping their inboxes open in the background all day. Company-wide emails are a great way to introduce “microlearning” to your team, with tiny snippets of easily digestible information they can quickly read during the day.

Since its founding in 1978, Mercy Ships has been pursuing one mission – bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor. Utilizing hospital ships filled with volunteer professionals, the global nonprofit organization provides life-changing surgeries to people in impoverished countries.

Since over 50% of the world’s population lives near a coast, this unique sea-based approach to providing state-of-the-art medical care allows Mercy Ships to transcend borders and provide much-needed medical help to many vulnerable populations. The organization provides a range of medical services that the impoverished countries they serve can’t provide – including tumor removal, cataracts, cleft palates, orthopedics for kids, women’s surgeries, and more.

More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships, including families and teachers who make a two-year commitment to the cause. As such, the ships need to provide full-time education for the children of volunteers. This led to the creation of Mercy Ships Academy. Accredited as an international Christian school with students from ten different countries, this school has partnered with FACTS for over ten years to manage an education system with unique and unconventional needs.

When the organization expanded from one ship (the Africa Mercy), to two ships (with the addition of the Global Mercy), they needed help scaling their education solution to a larger, more complex operation. That’s when FACTS Regional Business Development representative Scott Smith saw an opportunity to waive Mercy Ships’ implementation fees – and help advance Nelnet’s commitment to service.

FACTS National Sales Manager Jim Owens and Director of Inside Sales Bo Abresch agreed with Scott and made the decision to implement the services free of charge. FACTS worked closely with Mercy Ships’ Education Data & Systems team to help the organization successfully transition from a one-ship education system to a more district-based model.

From managing data migration and implementation to providing redesigned student reports and remote access from the organization’s headquarters in Texas, FACTS’ partnership has helped Mercy Ships adapt their educational system to serve a new, larger wave of students and teachers.

In addition, the intuitive design of the FACTS solution makes it easy for teachers to quickly learn and utilize it in a way to better serve students. Meanwhile, for system administrators, the versatility of the FACTS solution and the service-driven focus of FACTS customer support team makes the constant optimization of school processes efficient and hassle-free.

Identify at-risk students earlier and easier

As educators and students around the world can attest to, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of being able to shift our perspectives. From redefining what it means to be together to what exactly a classroom looks like, we’ve had to adjust to a constantly changing environment. Technology has played a huge role in shifting these perspectives, providing the tools needed to keep up with changes, as well as a way to connect with the outside world as we sheltered in place.

Even with the best technology available, learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected schools worldwide, disrupting education for 1.6 billion students at its peak, according to a recent report by the World Bank, UNESCO, and UNICEF. Students experienced critical declines in learning in important subjects like math and literacy, as well as in social-emotional development. Many schools are turning to classroom intervention, tutoring, or after-school services as part of learning recovery, but it can be difficult to determine which students need the most help.

Shifting the Perspective on Data

The key to identifying learning loss in students may be as simple as reframing the data schools receive through their student information system (SIS). When viewed holistically, data received from an SIS like FACTS can help schools predict trends and proactively identify students showing signs of learning loss. While identifying learning loss has traditionally relied on a hunch from a teacher, knowing what signs to look for across different data sets provided by a school’s SIS or learning management system (LMS) offers welcome support for educators stretched thin with the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.

Data That Indicates Potential Learning Loss

So what sort of data are we talking about? While there’s no perfect algorithm to identify learning loss, reading between the lines of available data can help teachers identify students that need help catching up. From attendance to behavior, here are some of the key indicators that leaders and teachers should look for in their SIS and LMS in order to intervene as soon as possible.

Declining Grades or Test Scores

One of the clearest ways to identify learning loss is a decline in a student’s grades or scores. Consulting firm McKinsey found that first through sixth graders were an average of five months behind in math and four months behind in reading after the 2020-2021 school year, which can lead to lower scores on assessments.

With an SIS like FACTS, parents and tutors have access to online reports of assignments, quizzes, and test scores daily, allowing them to get involved in academic progress. Analytics can help identify students that are falling behind in the classroom and what topics they’re struggling with, making it easier for educators to identify trends and adapt lesson plans based on students’ learning levels.

Incomplete or Missing Assignments

Learning loss doesn’t apply only to academic subject matter. Due to the constant changes and upheaval of the previous school year, many students disengaged from school altogether, forgetting the behaviors and mindsets instilled in them through in-person instruction. This lack of commitment and interest can lead to incomplete or missing assignments.

Using an SIS or LMS allows teachers to quickly and easily access gradebook data to identify which students are not completing their assignments. Systems may also allow for teacher comments, providing a record of specific areas in which a student may be experiencing a decline in learning, as well as further information for parents and tutors to work with students at home.

Behavior Events

Looking at student behavior is another way to identify learning loss. When students don’t understand the material being covered, they might act out in order to hide or avoid subjects that are difficult for them. Personal difficulties may also lead a student to display a lack of interest, motivation, or engagement – which has a direct result on their performance, grades, and overall behavior.

Leaders can make use of behavior reports via their school’s SIS to identify behavior concerns that, when viewed in conjunction with low test scores or unfinished work, point to learning decline. These reports also provide invaluable information to parents who may not be aware of how their child is adapting to returning to the classroom or switching to a new style of learning.

Attendance Trends

Poor attendance is often the first and most obvious sign of learning loss. While some students struggle to attend virtual or hybrid classes, others may be struggling to reintegrate into a physical classroom. Growing absenteeism has been reported, likely reflecting quarantine regulations and other challenges unique to education during a pandemic.

Leaders and teachers can identify students with poor attendance easily through data available via their SIS or LMS, as with FACTS’ Excessive Absent/Tardy – Student Report. Reports like these allow educators to see what students are not receiving the instruction needed to keep on track with learning goals and identify learning loss before it becomes a serious problem.

Parent Communication History

If a student’s parents are frequently being contacted by their child’s teachers regarding bad behavior, missing assignments, or poor grades, it’s possible that learning loss may be to blame. Communication logs within an SIS allow schools to keep track of emails sent to parents regarding students’ progress and needs. When a threshold set by a school has been met, it may be an indicator that learning decline is occurring and intervention may be necessary.

Keeping track of these communications is especially helpful if a student has multiple teachers that may not be able to communicate with each other about an individual student’s progress or performance. Logs allow both schools and parents to get a sense of a student’s overall performance and identify academic issues as soon as possible.

Although there’s no one-size-fits-all formula to identify learning loss, shifting our perspectives on what the student data we’re so used to seeing means is a great place to start. With an SIS that keeps different sets of data in one convenient location, it’s easier to notice similarities between reports and identify trends that can point to learning loss in students that teachers may not have initially suspected. While recognizing learning loss is only the first step in learning recovery, the sooner it’s identified, the sooner schools can move forward in preparing students to face the challenges of a changing world.

Learn more about FACTS Student Information and Learning Management System here.

Donor retention is the heartbeat of any thriving non-profit or educational institution. It’s the secret sauce to not just surviving but flourishing in a competitive landscape. But let’s face it, keeping donors engaged and continuously supportive is no walk in the park. It requires a blend of heartfelt communication, strategic engagement, and leveraging the right tools—like FACTS Giving—to keep the momentum going. As you start planning your spring fundraising efforts, here are our top tips on how you can master donor retention and create a lasting impact.

1. Personalize Your Communication

Personalization is key. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all communication. Donors want to feel special, understood, and genuinely appreciated. Use data to tailor your messages, acknowledging past contributions, specific interests, and how their support has made a difference. FACTS Giving can help segment your donor base, enabling personalized outreach that resonates and reinforces their importance to your cause.

2. Implement a Robust Donor Stewardship Program

Stewardship is all about building and maintaining relationships. A robust program includes regular updates, thank-you notes, and opportunities for donors to see their contributions in action. With FACTS Giving, you can automate many of these processes, ensuring consistent and timely interactions that keep donors in the loop and engaged with your organization’s progress.

3. Offer Flexible Giving Options

Flexibility in giving options is a game-changer. People are more likely to donate if they can do so in a way that suits their preferences and financial situation. FACTS Giving provides a versatile platform that supports one-time gifts, recurring donations, and pledges, making it easy for donors to contribute in a way that’s meaningful and convenient for them.

4. Engage with Donors Beyond the Ask

Engagement shouldn’t always be about asking for money. Create opportunities for donors to get involved in other ways, whether through volunteering, attending events, or participating in community forums. FACTS Giving can track these engagements, helping you understand your donors’ interests and how they prefer to be involved with your organization.

5. Measure and Share Your Impact

Transparency and accountability go a long way in retaining donors. Use FACTS Giving to measure the impact of donations and share these outcomes through compelling stories and reports. Showing donors the tangible results of their generosity fosters a deeper connection and a sense of partnership in your shared mission.

6. Leverage Technology for Seamless Donor Experiences

In today’s digital age, a seamless online giving experience is non-negotiable. FACTS Giving offers a user-friendly, secure platform that makes donating simple and straightforward, plus text-to-give functionality that make donating easier than ever. This ease of use encourages repeat donations and can significantly improve donor retention rates.

7. Cultivate a Culture of Gratitude

A culture of gratitude within your organization can transform your donor retention strategy. Regular, heartfelt expressions of thanks, personalized acknowledgments, and special recognition events make donors feel valued and respected. FACTS Giving’s tools can help you automate thank-you messages and manage donor recognition programs efficiently.

8. Regularly Review and Adjust Your Strategies

The landscape of donor engagement is ever evolving. Regularly reviewing your strategies and leveraging FACTS Giving’s analytics can provide insights into what’s working and what needs tweaking. Be prepared to adjust your approaches based on donor feedback and changing trends to keep your retention strategies fresh and effective.

Donor retention is an ongoing journey of engagement, appreciation, and strategic communication. By implementing these strategies and leveraging the power of FACTS Giving, your organization can foster lasting relationships with donors, ensuring a steady stream of support for your mission. Remember, every donor interaction is an opportunity to reinforce their importance to your cause and to inspire continued generosity.

Looking to elevate your donor management strategy? Dive deeper into how FACTS Giving can transform your fundraising efforts and help you keep your donors engaged for the long haul.