by Vickie Becker, EdD
The “business” of higher education is similar to many forms of business because it includes people, money and a product. As an industry, higher education has some helpful free online resources that I find to be extremely valuable. Here are my top four online higher education sources:
• Inside Higher Education, is a daily online publication focused on college and university topics. This resource has a wide range of topics including updates about what and how various colleges are dealing with student financial aid needs, trends in academic topics, and methods that various colleges use to assist with student success. This site is one that I read early most mornings because it keeps me aware of what’s important in higher ed. Access to this online resource is free and based in Washington, D.C. Insider Higher Ed may be found at www.insidehighered.com.
• Academic Impressions (AI), has a more narrow focus than Inside Higher Ed because it primarily addresses topics of interest to the higher education professional. This online resource provides current information on new and trending educational products and services that help institutions tackle key, strategic challenges. They offer webcasts, conferences, workshops, plus they produce three electronic news publications under the title of “Higher Ed Impact.” Academic Impressions is a valid source for learning more about such topics as non-profit and for-profit colleges and universities, and MOOCS (massive open online course) that are online courses aimed at unlimited participation and open access via the web. Academic Impressions may be found at http://www.academicimpressions.com.
• College Source is a not for profit resource that offers a data base of more than 84,000 digital college catalogs, institution profiles, transcript keys, and other critical resources. This online resource is a great way to review information about a college or university that may interest you. The College Source website is www.collegesource.org
• The Chronicle of Higher Education is primarily a subscription based newspaper and website that presents news, information, and jobs for college and university faculty and Student Affairs professionals. This is a “go to” resource for people considering higher education employment. See www.chronicle.com to review The Chronicle of Higher Education website.
Hopefully, this information is, or will become useful!
Vickie Becker, EdD, is the Executive Director for the Azusa Pacific University Murrieta Regional Center. She may be reached at 951.304.3400 or murrieta@apu.edu
