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Higher Education Partnerships: How to Move Forward in an Era Beyond Traditional OPMs

Oct 21, 2024, 12:00 PM

Online Program Managers (OPMs) initially emerged as strategic partners for universities, offering comprehensive services to help institutions transition to online education. These services ranged from course design to marketing and student recruitment, often operating under a revenue-sharing model that reduced the financial burden on universities. However, the term “OPM” has become somewhat restrictive as institutions’ needs and capabilities have evolved. Many universities now demand more flexible, customized solutions aligning with their goals and values.

OPMs, once seen as essential partners in helping universities expand their reach online, are now viewed with increasing skepticism. Institutions recognize the need for partnerships prioritizing educational excellence and financial transparency rather than revenue generation. This shift marks a critical evolution in how universities approach online education, demanding more strategic and mission-aligned collaboration. 

The Shift in the Market

Over the past few years, the higher education market has seen a noticeable shift in its reliance on OPMs. Initially, OPMs helped launch online programs by sharing the financial risk, making it easier for universities to expand their digital footprint. However, as universities have grown more capable of managing their online programs, the necessity of these bundled revenue-sharing services has diminished.

Additionally, revenue-sharing models have been criticized for encouraging practices that do not always align with the academic mission of the institutions, such as prioritizing high-tuition programs over smaller, essential ones. Regulatory scrutiny from the Department of Education in the U.S. has also intensified, likely leading to changes in the rules that once made revenue-sharing OPMs viable.

Universities increasingly seek more control over their programs, wanting to retain autonomy over their finances and academic offerings. There is also a greater emphasis on data management and technological infrastructure. As educational institutions generate more data than ever, they face the challenge of effectively harnessing this information. Moving away from OPMs allows universities to develop more sophisticated data management systems that support strategic, data-driven decisions.

What Happens Next?

As OPMs lose their stronghold in the market, universities are exploring alternative approaches to building and maintaining online programs. Some invest in their internal capabilities, creating dedicated teams to manage online program development, data infrastructure, and student support. Others are turning to more flexible private partnerships that do not rely on revenue-sharing but offer tailored services that align more closely with the institution's mission.

The future likely involves a mix of self-sufficiency and collaboration. Institutions must balance scaling their online offerings quickly and controlling their academic and financial priorities. Agility and strategic alignment will be key in navigating this new landscape.

Data-driven decision-making and technological innovation are also top of mind as institutions aim to manage better student information systems (SIS), learning management systems (LMS), and customer relationship management (CRM) platforms.

Many institutions are also looking for partners who can provide operational support, from faculty training to technical assistance, to ensure the success of their online programs without the long-term financial commitment that OPMs typically require.

EDUTECHLoft: A Solution for the Future

 

 

 

As institutions shift away from traditional OPM models, EDUTECHLoft is emerging as a key partner for higher education institutions looking to modernize their online programs while retaining control over their academic and financial futures.

 

Whether developing innovative instructional designs, transitioning technological solutions for LMS, SIS, CRM, or BI platforms, or providing comprehensive operational support, EDUTECHLoft ensures institutions can thrive without being locked into long-term revenue-sharing contracts. We focus on helping institutions build sustainable, scalable online programs aligned with their mission and deliver exceptional learning experiences to their students.

 

In this rapidly changing educational landscape, agility and strategic alignment are critical. EDUTECHLoft offers the expertise and resources that higher education institutions need to successfully embrace a future of flexible, data-driven, and student-centered online education.  

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