Melba Amissi, Chief Customer and Operations Officer at the National Student Clearinghouse, recently joined Dr. Drumm McNaughton, CEO of The Change Leader, on the Changing Higher Ed podcast to discuss how colleges can transform national student data into actionable insights. During the conversation, she highlighted the need to support non-linear learner pathways, re engage students with some college but no degree, and reduce barriers through credit mobility, workforce alignment, and greater transparency.
Dual enrollment has emerged as one of the most influential predictors of long‑term student higher education success. Insights from recent National Student Clearinghouse research reports and data available to high school and district users through our StudentTracker service show that high school students who participate in dual enrollment are more likely to enroll in college and complete a postsecondary credential.
Postsecondary enrollment in fall 2025 grew by 1.0%, according to the Clearinghouse Enrollment Insights: Final Fall Enrollment Trends report. However, students are shifting their preferences among fields of study, reflecting evolving career interests and workforce demands.
