Date: March $20,2024$

To: Group $2$ Team Members

From Sammy Jimmerson

Subject: Proposal For New Online Academic Degree Program

The ISU president has recently reachout out to the ISU community in regard to a new academic degree program that meets student and employer demands. This proposal gives a look at the opportunities, audience, potential topics to investigate, preliminary research, recommendations for further research, and methods used for the potential new online degree program.

Problem and Opportunity

Currently, Iowa is currently facing a shortage of skilled professionals in various industries, and there is a growing demand for online education programs. By offering a new online degree or certification program, we can meet the needs of non$-$traditional students who seek to further their education without sacrificing their other commitments. Additionally, this initiative will expand access to online education and contribute to the enhancement of Iowa State$$s reputation and revenue streams.

Audience Profile

Our proposal has multiple layers of audiences, each with its own interests and influence. These include:

Gatekeeper: Department head or program review committee who has the power to halt the proposal before it reaches the primary audience. Their assessment determines whether the proposal is worthy of consideration.

Primary: The university$$s board of trustees or a senior committee, who hold the authority and responsibility to approve or reject the proposal.

Secondary: Faculty members or staff who will be affected by the implementation of the proposal but do not have the power to approve it$.$

Auxiliary: IT support or marketing advocacy group that ensure the program meets certain standards and services the community$$s interests.

Watchdog: Student and faculty advocacy groups that ensure the program meets certain standards and services the community$$s interests.

Topics to Investigate

To ensure the success of the proposal, we will thoroughly investigate the following areas:

Market Demand: Conducting comprehensive market research will help us determine the demand for online MS$,$ MA$,$ or BA degree or certification programs in our target markets. This research will assess $[$potential student interest and competition, providing valuable insights into the feasibility of our proposal.

Which fields or industries are highly demanded for graduates with advanced degrees or certifications?

Workforce Needs: We will analyze Iowa's current and projected workforce needs, as well as those of the surrounding regions. Aligning our program offerings with the specific skills and knowledge required by employers will ensure graduates have strong job prospects and contribute to economic development.

How can the proposed programs align with these workforce needs to address skill gaps and contribute to economic development?

Online Program Management: It is crucial to assess the capacity of Iowa State Online to effectively manage and deliver the proposed programs. Factors such as student support services, online course development, and marketing strategies will be considered. We will explore effective marketing strategies to increase online enrollments and reach new markets.

What marketing strategies can be employed to increase online enrollments and reach new markets?