Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: SACSCOC • Performance Metrics • Student Success Metrics

Program Prioritization

Term from University Administration industry explained for recruiters

Program Prioritization is a systematic approach used by colleges and universities to evaluate and make decisions about their academic programs and services. It's like a comprehensive review process that helps institutions decide which programs to invest in, maintain, reduce, or phase out. Administrators use this process to align university resources with strategic goals and student needs, especially during budget constraints or when planning for future growth. Similar terms include Academic Program Review, Strategic Program Assessment, or Academic Portfolio Management.

Examples in Resumes

Led Program Prioritization initiative across 5 academic departments, resulting in 15% resource optimization

Participated in university-wide Program Prioritization task force to evaluate 50+ academic programs

Implemented recommendations from Program Prioritization process to restructure department offerings

Typical job title: "Program Assessment Administrators"

Also try searching for:

Academic Program Director University Administrator Program Review Coordinator Strategic Planning Director Academic Affairs Manager Assessment Coordinator Institutional Effectiveness Director

Where to Find Program Assessment Administrators

Professional Organizations

Online Resources

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle resistance from faculty during a program prioritization process?

Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with change management, stakeholder communication, data-driven decision making, and faculty involvement in the process. Should emphasize transparency and collaborative approaches.

Q: Describe a successful program prioritization initiative you've led and its outcomes.

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience managing large-scale assessment projects, working with multiple stakeholders, using data for decision-making, and implementing challenging recommendations.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What metrics would you use to evaluate program effectiveness?

Expected Answer: Should mention enrollment trends, graduation rates, cost per student, employment outcomes, student satisfaction, and alignment with institutional mission.

Q: How would you ensure fairness in the program evaluation process?

Expected Answer: Should discuss establishing clear criteria, involving diverse stakeholders, using multiple data sources, and maintaining transparent communication throughout the process.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the purpose of program prioritization in higher education?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic concepts of resource allocation, program assessment, and strategic planning in universities. Should understand the balance between academic quality and financial sustainability.

Q: How would you gather data for program evaluation?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic data collection methods, including enrollment statistics, student surveys, budget information, and program outcomes data.