How Program Growth and Innovation has Increased Student Success at Adrian College with President Docking
This episode of DisruptED examines how Adrian College has navigated the pressures facing small liberal arts institutions by pursuing program growth and innovation. President Docking discusses strategies the college has implemented to drive student success amid shifting enrollment trends and a competitive higher education landscape. The conversation highlights how proactive institutional change can yield meaningful outcomes even as national undergraduate enrollment remains below pre-pandemic levels.
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Key takeaways
Small colleges face mounting pressure from enrollment shifts, rising costs, and market competition, requiring proactive innovation strategies.
Adrian College has pursued deliberate program growth initiatives under President Docking's leadership to improve student outcomes.
National undergraduate enrollment rose 3.5% in spring 2025 but remains 2.4% below pre-pandemic levels, underscoring the urgency for institutional adaptation.
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Small colleges across the United States face mounting pressure from shifting student expectations, rising costs, and an increasingly competitive higher education market. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, undergraduate enrollment rose 3.5 percent in spring 2025 compared to the prior year, reaching 15.3 million students, but still remains 2.4 percent below pre-pandemic levels. This modest rebound underscores the urgency for institutions to adapt their models for long-term sustainability, with program growth and innovation emerging as a critical strategy for attracting and retaining students.
How can small colleges expand academic offerings quickly and cost-effectively, while maintaining the personal attention that defines their value?
In this episode of DisruptED, guest host Darin Francis speaks with Dr. Jeffrey Docking, President of Adrian College, about how consortium-based program sharing and targeted program growth have transformed the school’s enrollment and retention strategies. From launching more than 30 new majors to integrating project-based learning, Docking explains how aligning offerings with student and industry needs is reshaping the college experience.
Key Points from the Conversation:
- Shifting from athletics to academic growth: Adrian College expanded beyond sports recruitment by adding high-demand majors through consortium partnerships, responding directly to student feedback.
- Reducing startup costs with program sharing: Through the RIZE platform, the college offers majors from partner institutions for a fraction of the cost of building programs internally, while preserving small class sizes.
- Industry-aligned curriculum and project-based learning: Programs are co-designed with academic experts and industry leaders, ensuring graduates enter the workforce with practical, job-ready skills.
Dr. Jeffrey Docking has served as President of Adrian College since 2005, leading a period of significant growth and innovation in academic programming. He has over 35 years of experience in higher education and is a national advocate for small college sustainability. Docking holds advanced degrees in higher education administration and is recognized for pioneering collaborative models that expand student opportunities while maintaining institutional efficiency.
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About the author
With 20 years of experience at the intersection of higher education and edtech, Darin Francis brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for driving meaningful change in the sector. Having led teams, crafted go-to-market (GTM) strategies, and worked closely with institutions, Darin is uniquely positioned to help edtech companies navigate the complexities of U.S. and Canadian higher education. Darin Francis, based in Detroit, MI, US, is currently a Managing Partner and CEO at Harbinger Lane Consulting.
