In the latest episode of the Education Marketing Leader, I interviewed Dustin Ramsdell, Client Success Manager at Direct Development and host of The Higher Ed Geek Podcast.
We dove into the evolving landscape of Online Program Management (OPM) services and what universities need to know as the sector faces growing challenges.
๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ฝ๐ผ:
๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐
Universities are shifting away from the traditional OPM model due to rising costs and diminishing returns. The recent bankruptcy filing by 2U, a leading OPM, signals a broader trend where institutions are reconsidering long-term, revenue-sharing contracts.
๐๐ง๐ซ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ & ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ฌ
Many institutions are opting to develop and manage their own online programs, avoiding the hefty fees OPMs require.
As Dustin points out, while building in-house capabilities is more resource-intensive upfront, it offers institutions full control over their programs and branding.
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ ๐๐-๐๐จ๐ซ-๐๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐
The new model gaining traction? Online Program Enablers (OPEs).
Instead of long-term partnerships, universities are moving toward short-term, fee-for-service agreements to meet specific needs, like video production or instructional design, without sacrificing control or profitability.
๐๐ข๐ง๐ง๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ญ๐'๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐
In a significant policy shift, Minnesota became the first state to ban OPM partnerships with public institutions, setting a precedent that could influence future federal regulations.
๐๐ก๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฑ๐ญ?
Dustin believes the future of OPMs lies in a more flexible, service-based approach. Universities can use external partners strategically to scale operations without being tied to costly revenue-sharing contracts.
๐๐๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ก
๐น Cost of acquiring students
๐น Program scalability
๐น Quality control in in-house programs
๐ Tune in for more insights on how higher-ed institutions are navigating the digital shift and what it means for the future of online learning.
Connect with Dustin on LinkedIn or check out The Higher Ed Geek Podcast for more discussions on the future of higher education.
Until next time. โ
#HigherEducation #EducationMarketing #OPM #DigitalEducation #EnrollmentStrategies #MarketingInHigherEd