Strategic Planning Forum

"The Millennial Generation: Characteristics and Strategic Implications for Colleges and Universities"

February 17, 2004
McGuire Hall 7:00 PM

Mr. John Dysart
President, The Dysart Group

Saint Xavier University Student Panel

American higher education is on the cusp of significant change in the makeup of traditional age college students and adult learners.  Known as the "Millennial Generation" of individuals born from 1982 to the present, this emerging new wave of college students and young adults will bring markedly different sets of expectations and predilections to college and university campuses. National experts predict that all areas of university life that are presently undergoing strategic analyses at Saint Xavier University will be affected:  academic excellence, student recruitment and retention, university advancement, campus facilities, and mission. Two best-selling authors (Neil Howe and William Strauss) offer a good synopsis of the decisions facing the higher education community:

"Wherever you are in university life, you face a choice.  You can ignore this breaking Millennial wave, by treating today's collegians as you did the last generation.  You can resist it, by pursuing decades-old agendas.  You can ride it, by adapting as fast as you can to new needs as they arise. Or you can lead this new youth wave, by preparing for Millennials before they arrive in full force." (from Millennials Go To College ,p 5).

You are invited to attend a presentation and student panel discussion on this topic on Tuesday, February 17th, 2004, at 7:00 PM in McGuire Hall.  Mr. John Dysart, an enrollment management expert and President of the Dysart Group, will outline the strategic implications of this new generation of college students and adult learners in the context of broad demographic trends and relevant statistics about Saint Xavier University students.  A panel of Saint Xavier University students who represent the front end of this new generation will offer their own opinions and insights.  Light refreshments will follow in the Butler Reception Room.

To help us plan for this event, please RSVP by Feb 10th to planning@sxu.edu

I hope to see you there.

Kathleen Carlson
Director of Planning and Assessment
x3305