CASE STUDY: Private HBCU
How Magellan coordinated online program support to help a private HBCU surpass its growth plan.
A private HBCU partnered with Magellan to strengthen its MBA and School of Religion programs. Teams from both organizations combined academic strategy with the development of systems, faculty support, and enrollment operations that fueled sustainable growth.
total unique students by year three — up from 79 in year one
%
total enrollment increase of ~600% over three years
%
of projected (net generated) revenue generated across three year partnership
The Challenge
The client set ambitious enrollment goals for its online programs. Achieving them required a coordinated approach that could support increased operational demands while optimizing the student experience. When the Magellan partnership began, the client projected no new enrollment and revenue in year 1 and anticipated a loss of approximately $630,000.
The Partnership
Magellan operated alongside the client’s internal team to align program strategy with everyday operations. We helped strengthen online teaching practices and course development and built systems that moved students from initial inquiry through enrollment and program completion.
Documented processes and performance dashboards gave the institution greater visibility into the enrollment funnel. Magellan’s support for faculty development, instructional design, technology administration, and student outreach created a reliable foundation for delivering programs at scale.
The Results
Across three academic years, the institution enrolled 428 new students—25% more than projected. Total unique enrollment increased from 79 students in the first year to 473 in the third: an increase of roughly 600%. As a result of the Magellan partnership, the client now has the largest School of Religion of any HBCU nationwide.
Financial performance also exceeded projections. Net revenue generated for this client reached 253% of the projected total. The loss anticipated for year 1 was reduced by 89%.
Ongoing analysis also revealed where prospective students encountered friction during the application process. This insight offered the institution specific opportunities to strengthen conversion and support continued growth.
A Foundation for the Next Era
The client now has a proven model for supporting its existing online programs while evaluating future expansion. The partnership created immediate enrollment gains and long-term benefits. Magellan’s collaboration established the processes, insight, and institutional capacity needed to keep moving forward.