Dueling Institutions: Intentionally Supporting Public Research and Regional Universities Amid Declining Enrollment

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Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). 

Notes

1 Public research sector institutions are public, Title IV institutions with the Carnegie Classification Doctoral Universities Very High Research Activity, Doctoral Universities High Research Activity, Doctoral/Professional Universities, or Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools and Centers. Public masters, bachelor’s, and other 4-year sector institutions are public, Title IV institutions with the Carnegie Classification of Master’s Colleges and Universities: Larger Programs, Master’s Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs, Master’s Colleges and Universities: Small Programs, Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts and Sciences Focus, Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields, Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions, Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools, Special Focus Four-Year: Engineering Schools, Special Focus Four-Year: Other Technology-Related Schools, Special Focus Four-Year: Business and Management Schools, Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music and Design Schools, Special Focus Four-Year: Law Schools, and Special Focus Four-Year: Other Special Focus Institutions. Additionally, public Title IV institutions are included if at least 25 percent of degrees awarded are at the baccalaureate level and the institution has Carnegie Classification of Baccalaureate/Associate’s Colleges: Associate’s Dominant, Baccalaureate/Associate’s Colleges: Mixed Baccalaureate/Associate’s, or Tribal Colleges.

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Notes on contributors

Sarah Torres Lugo

Sarah Torres Lugo is a Research Associate with the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS). Her qualitative and quantitative skills allow her to work on a variety of projects focused on improving strategic decision making in postsecondary education for states, systems, institutions, and workforce development organizations. Prior to joining NCHEMS, Sarah served as a Research Assistant with the Institute for Research on Higher Education and as a Program and Management Analyst Trainee with Federal Student Aid’s Customer Analytics Group. Her areas of interest include the connection between postsecondary education and the workforce, quality assurance, and affordability.

Sarah Pingel

Sarah Pingel is Vice President at the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) and supports the team in setting and realizing the strategic direction of the organization. She conceptualizes projects, carries out research and analysis, crafts reports and findings, and delivers impactful presentations and testimonies. Prior to coming to NCHEMS in 2023, Sarah was a Senior Researcher at Ithaka S + R and a Principal at the Education Commission of the States. In both organizations, Sarah leveraged her expertise in state funding and postsecondary governance to advance work related to financial aid, state funding models, student transfer, and mobility.