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Caldwell University IFE And EFE Analysis

Founded in 1939, Caldwell University is a well-known higher learning institution

located in New Jersey with an outstanding rich history in academic excellence. Its mission is to

provide students with value-based education that emphasizes moral values. The University is

dedicated to empowering its students to become critical thinkers and leaders whose contributions

are significant to the world. In terms of academic excellence, Caldwell University is well known

for its arduous academic programs and the culture of the University fostering intellectual

curiosity. Additionally, it is known for its community engagement initiatives and its commitment

to service and social responsibility.

The University boasts state-of-the-art facilities, ranging from research labs and modern

classrooms to athletic facilities, which contribute greatly to the success of the University (“About

Caldwell University”). An analysis of Caldwell's Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) and External

Factor Evaluation (EFE) indicates the need for related diversification, market penetration, and

market development strategies to address their internal weakness and external threats.

Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) Analysis

In conducting an Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) for Caldwell University, we will

evaluate its internal strengths and weaknesses, assigning respective weights and rating those
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factors, calculate, represent, and interpret the IFE matrix in a table, and make strategic

recommendations.

Internal Strengths

In evaluating Caldwell University's internal strengths, we will examine its modern

facilities, financial stability, academic reputation, and community engagement.

In terms of Modern campus facilities, Caldwell University boasts modern academic

buildings, which include modern classrooms and lecture halls that offer a conducive learning

environment (“SWOT Analysis” 1). In addition to that, the University has a comprehensive

library with a diversified portfolio of books, journals, and other learning materials like digital

resources. Also, the campus boasts of a student center for students' social life while on campus,

residence halls for students safe living, health and fitness centers, arts and performance spaces,

security and safety systems, sports facilities such as gyms, fitness centers, and courts (“About

Caldwell University”).

When it comes to financial status, Caldwell University has steady enrollment and tuition

revenue. This contributes to the school's financial stability as it's the primary source of revenue

for the institution to cover its operating costs (“Strategic planning SWOT analysis” 1). In

addition to that, the University boasts of various accreditation and reputations, which attracts

students, ensuring steady enrollment. Additionally, the University is good at managing its costs,

another factor that contributes to financial stability.

The other Caldwell University strength is its Academic reputation (“About Caldwell

University”). The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher

Education, which signifies its academic reputation. It also boasts faculty expertise and offers
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various diverse programs. Also, the University intensively supports research and scholarly work.

Additionally, the student's success is reflected in its graduation rate and the many achievements

of the alumni.

Also, Caldwell University is known for its community engagement (“About Caldwell

University”). The University is known for incorporating service-learning programs into its

curriculum, which gives chance to the student to apply the knowledge acquired in the real world.

In addition to that, the University supports student organizations and also partners with local

organizations that focus on community service, creating a good rapport with the local

community.

Internal weaknesses

In evaluating Caldwell University's internal weaknesses, we will examine its Budget

constraint, aging infrastructure, and curriculum development.

One of the weaknesses that Caldwell University faces is its budget constraint, with

various factors such as enrollment challenges, grants, and funding contributing to it (“Strategic

Plan”). Budget constraint as a result of lack of enough funds hinders the University's

implementation and investment in new initiatives. Though the president's proposal, like free

community college, increase in grants, support to historically black colleges, and student loan

forgiveness, could positively impact the university budget constraints as a result of funding from

the government, the majority of the proposals are yet to be enacted.

The other weakness is the aging infrastructure (“Strategic Plan”). Some of the campuses

are old facilities that may require modern renovations, which might be costly to the University.
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Some of the buildings in the institutions were built way before 1939, before the founding of the

University.

Lastly, the University is faced with weakness in curriculum development (“Strategic

Plan”). This is a result of the need to constantly update and diversify its curriculum so as to

compete with other developed universities, not only in the US but also in the global space.

IFE Matrix

In calculating the IFE weighted score, we multiply the weight by the ratings. To get an

IFE score, we get the total of the weighted scores.

KEY FACTORS Weight Rating Weighted Score

Internal Strengths

Modern Facilities 0.20 4 0.80

Financial Stability 0.12 3 0.36

Academic Reputation 0.20 4 0.80

Community Engagement 0.10 3 0.30

Internal Weakness

Budget Constraint 0.14 3 0.42

Aging Infrastructure 0.09 2 0.18

Curriculum Development 0.15 3 0.45

TOTAL 1 - 3.31
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IFE Table 1

Caldwell University's total IFE Score of 3.31 shows that the internal factors, specifically

strengths, which include modern facilities, financial stability, academic reputation, and

community engagement are significantly strong. However, there are challenges or the internal

weaknesses like budget constraints, aging infrastructure, and curriculum development that

require the University's attention.

Strategic Recommendations

There are various strategies Caldwell University should utilize in addressing its internal

weaknesses, which include budget constraints, aging infrastructure, and curriculum development.

The first strategy it should utilize is the market penetration strategy, to market their diversified

education programs, increasing the enrollment of new students. This will in turn increase the

availability of funds, meeting their financial objectives like budget constraints and the aging

infrastructure. In addition to that, the University should deploy related diversification program to

solve the issue of curriculum development. Through this strategy, the University will be able to

focus on improving its curriculum program and meeting the required standards.

External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Analysis

In conducting an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) for Caldwell University, we will

evaluate its external opportunities and threats, assigning respective weights and rating those

factors, calculating, representing, and interpreting the IFE matrix in a table, and making strategic

recommendations.

External Opportunities
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In evaluating Caldwell University's External Opportunities, we will examine the growing

demand for online education, government funding and grants, partnership and collaboration, and

technological progression.

The increasing interest and demand for online learning present Caldwell University with

a good opportunity of expanding its reach (Nasreen and Muhamaad 5). This will be of

importance to the University, as it will have chances of enrolling international students.

The other opportunity that Caldwell University has is securing government funding and

grants. Government proposals like free community college, an increase in grants, support to

historically black colleges, and student loan forgiveness are some of the opportunities that

Caldwell could seize to improve their financial stability.

Also, Caldwell can seize the opportunity of partnership and collaboration with various

organizations. The University can partner and collaborate with various local and international

organizations, institutions, and industries, enhancing their academic reputation, as this helps in

research and experience in students.

Lastly, there exists a technological progression opportunity that the University can seize.

This is of significance to the University in improving research based on their data basis and in

improving quality online learning.

External Threats

In evaluating Caldwell University's external threats, we will examine factors that include

competition from universities offering online education, declining enrollment in higher education

institutions, and economic downturn.

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The greatest threat that Caldwell University is faced with is the competition from other

universities that are offering online courses (Mian et al. 10). Since the COVID-19 pandemic,

various institutions have adopted online classes; hence, such established institutions could be the

biggest competitor to Caldwell University (Longhurst et al. 299).

The other threat faced by Caldwell University is the decline in enrollment in higher

education institutions. This is a result of the increasing number of learning institutions and the

declining number of students who are willing to join higher learning institutions.

Lastly, Caldwell University is faced with the threat of an economic downturn. An

economic downturn could negatively impact the University due to the low number of students

that would be enrolling in the higher learning institution (Longhurst et al. 300). Additionally, the

government could reduce its funding, hence posing financial-related challenges to the University.

EFE Matrix

In calculating the EFE weighted score, we multiply the weight by the ratings. To get an

IFE score, we get the total of the weighted scores.

KEY FACTORS Weight Rating Weighted Score

Opportunities

Demand For Online Education 0.16 3 0.48

Government Funding and Grants 0.13 3 0.39

Partnership And Collaboration 0.20 4 0.80

Technological Progression 0.19 4 0.76

Threats
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Competition 0.14 3 0.42

Declining Enrollment 0.09 2 0.18

Economic Downturn 0.09 2 0.18

TOT 1 - 1.65

EFE Table 1

Caldwell University's total EFE Score of 1.65 indicates that the external opportunities are

significantly strong, with demand for online education, government funding and grants,

partnership and collaboration, and technological progression being the outstanding opportunities

that supersede the threats.

Strategic Recommendations

Caldwell University should address its external threat, which includes competition,

declining enrollment, and economic downturn. One of the strategies they should utilize is the

market penetration strategy by marketing their various education programs. This will help them

in dealing with the competition and low enrollment problems. The other strategy they should

utilize is market development. This will help them expand to new geographical areas, increasing

their student enrollment.

Works Cited
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“About Caldwell University.” Caldwell University, 14 June 2023,

www.caldwell.edu/about/#:~:text=Caldwell%20offers%2036%20undergraduate

%20degrees,children%20with%20autism%20spectrum%20disorders.

Longhurst, Georga J., et al. "Strength, weakness, opportunity, threat (SWOT) analysis of the

adaptations to anatomical education in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland in

response to the Covid‐19 pandemic." Anatomical sciences education 13.3 (2020): 301-311.

Mian, Syed Hammad, et al. "Adapting universities for sustainability education in industry 4.0:

Channel of challenges and opportunities." Sustainability 12.15 (2020): 6100.

Nasreen, Khalida, and Muhammad Tanveer Afzal. "Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and

threats in higher education: a SWOT analysis of Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad

(Pakistan)." Asian Association of Open Universities Journal 15.3 (2020): 321-333.

“SWOT Analysis.” SCSU, 2023, www.stcloudstate.edu/strategicplan/analysis.aspx. Accessed 12

Sept. 2023.

Strategic Planning SWOT Analysis - California State University, Stanislaus, 2017,

www.csustan.edu/sites/default/files/StrategicPlanning/documents/SWOT-Analysis.pdf.

“Strategic Plan.” Caldwell University, 9 May 2023, www.caldwell.edu/about/strategic-plan/.