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Abstract
The problem is the West Virginia's community and technical colleges (CTCs) are experiencing a decline in enrollment. Therefore, higher education institutions are learning that they need to become more adaptable to the unpredictability and uncertainty when the institution encounters a decline in student enrollment. West Virginia’s CTCs appear to have seen a decrease in student enrollment of 19.4 percent from 2012 to 2016 to a 4.7 percent from 2015 to 2016. Chaos Theory and the complexity can provide a unique perspective to understanding the present educational system, which includes the methods and approach to how each institution is ready to make a change and the dynamic system that is influencing those individuals to make the necessary adjustments and changes. The effects and impact of declining enrollment on the CTCs in West Virginia show how Chaos Theory is changing the environment in various West Virginia institutions, such as changes to courses offered and even the removal of programs due to the declining number of students enrolling and budget reductions. Enrollment expectations have created various forms of chaos within the institutions which involves the education establishment, stakeholders, students, employees, communities, and the economy. Furthermore, the institutions are working to increase the student enrollment through a variety of certification and changes to include specific programs to meet the needs of the local communities. Thereby achieving the requirements and needs of the institutions in West Virginia’s CTCs can counteract the present chaotic environment and maintain the institution’s mission, vison and values will they remain competitive and sustainable in the higher education industry. IN particular, the Relationship among the institutions and stakeholders requires the development of mutual trust to work together in revolving the issues based on fact and together all the necessary information needed to benefit the higher education institutions. Furthermore, CTCs, presidents, academic administrators, division chairs, employees, and students much understand the expectations of setting goals for the nine CTCs in Wester Virginia. The purpose of this study to primarily focus on the declining student enrollment at the nine CTCs in West Virginia. The mixed methodology study will provide a unique perspective from each participant to why they believe their institution is experiencing a decline in student enrollment. Therefore, how the institutions can adjust the various program and course schedules offered to the student population. During the mixed-methodology approach to understanding the driving force of declining student enrollment through in-depth interviews and focus groups with the presidents, administration, academic deans, and division chairs during the qualitative phase. The full-time and adjunct faculty from the nine CTCs in West Virginia conducted through online surveys will gain the perspective in why the student enrollment is declining in the quantitative phase of the study. In conclusion, the student will provide answers to the way the various CTCs in West Virginia can adapt to the declining student enrollment without negatively impacting the sustainability and competitive advantage in the higher education industry.
Publication Date
10-5-2018
Keywords
Leadership
Disciplines
Educational Leadership
Recommended Citation
Wolfe, Davida, "Leading Through Chaos to Survive Market Instability Among Community and Technical Colleges in West Virginia" (2018). Scholars Showcase 2018: Innovations in Leadership and Learning. 84.
https://fuse.franklin.edu/ss2018/84