Beyond Enrollment: The Power of ‘Stickiness’ in Higher Education. David Staley
About this episode
David J. Staley discusses the concept of 'stickiness' in higher education and its impact on student retention and regional development.
What makes a university—and its surrounding city— sticky ? In this episode, David J. Staley explores a powerful concept shaping the future of higher education: stickiness —the ability of a college or university not only to attract students, but to inspire them to stay, build careers, and contribute to the region after graduation. Drawing on a recent consulting experience at a Midwestern university, Staley reflects on a familiar challenge: institutions successfully bring students in, only to watch them leave for opportunities elsewhere. He contrasts this with “sticky” ecosystems like Ohio State and Columbus, where a dynamic interplay between university strengths and regional opportunities encourages graduates to remain and thrive. The episode introduces the idea of a “stickiness index” —a framework for assessing how well institutions and cities retain talent. Factors include: Alignment between academic programs and local job markets Internship and career pipelines Social connections and campus engagement Quality of life and affordability Entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems Staley argues that stickiness is not accidental—it requires a deliberate, collaborative strategy…
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