Week+5+Interview+Questions

Interview Questions (Marketing and Financial Issues)


 * MARKETING ISSUES -QUESTIONS**

1. **MARKET ANALYSIS**

As a top-ranking program LEEP is extremely competitive and has to turn away applicants. Do you now, or have you ever had information sessions to recruit students?

1) We understand that LEEP was born due to a pressing need to serve a larger audience as against a specific market competition. However was there any formal market analysis done at that time, to assess and predict the success of the program?

2) Today is there a process in place for continuous market assessment and to improve the marketing initiatives of the LEEP program?

3) I read that LEEP does not have a formal process to measure retention rates as this has never been an issue //(Interaction and engagement in LEEP by Karen Ruhleder in the book Learner centered theory and practice in distance education//). Students usually complete the program and if there is a drop-out, it is usually for personal reasons and not because of their dissatisfaction with the program. Is this correct? Is there any analysis done on attrition/retention rates. If yes, can you share those studies and numbers with us?
 * TRACKING RETENTION/ATTRITION **

4) Are there any specific barriers that have been identified as the cause of attrition (if any) for students enrolled in LEEP? I read in your dissertation that Juggling responsibilities, online aspect of learning etc are the top concerns for students who come into LEEP. Could this also be the reason for them leaving the program if at all? How are such concerns addressed in order to prevent attrition?

**TIE UP WITH WISE & iSchools** 5) We understand that the tie-up with WISE happened in 2005? Is there a promotional/marketing reason behind this strategic partnership?

6) GSLIS is a charter member of iSchools and it hosted the 2010 iSchools Conference. iSchools appears largely involved in research initiatives. Does the iSchools Caucus also promote and market the programs of its member schools?

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Do other units at U of I (for example, the Office of Online and Continuing Education or U of I online) help GSLIS with marketing and promotion of the LEEP program?

Who in GSLIS is responsible for marketing LEEP?


 * MANAGEMENT/FINANCIAL ISSUES QUESTIONS**

1. We understand from the UIUC budget that GSLIS has about 382 K (as part of self-supporting departmental activities). What activities is this referring to?