College of Western Idaho Boosts Enrollment and Retention with Data-Driven Strategy [Case Study]

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6 Consecutive Terms of
Enrollment Growth

How Collegis helped College of Western Idaho unify data, improve engagement,

and drive sustained enrollment and retention gains.

College of Western Idaho (CWI) was facing challenges many community colleges are navigating today: declining enrollment and inconsistent retention. While the institution had access to data, disconnected systems and limited infrastructure made it difficult to act on it effectively. Through a partnership with Collegis, CWI implemented a data-enabled strategy that unified systems, improved visibility, and created a more connected student journey. This resulted in sustained enrollment growth and stronger student outcomes.

The Challenge

Disconnected Systems and Limited Strategy Hindered Growth

CWI’s ability to support students and drive growth was constrained by gaps in data, technology, and process.

Key challenges included:

Declining enrollment and inconsistent student retention trends
No unified CRM and siloed data across systems
Underutilized LMS limiting student engagement opportunities
No formal retention strategy to support at-risk students

Without a connected approach, the institution lacked the visibility and structure needed to improve outcomes.

The Solution

A Connected, Data-Enabled Approach to the Full Student Lifecycle

Collegis partnered with CWI to build a more unified and proactive model for enrollment and retention.

Key actions included:

Implemented Connected Core® to unify data, systems, and insights
Enabled advanced analytics to support smarter, data-driven decisions
Optimized LMS and website experience to improve engagement and conversion
Developed proactive outreach and at-risk support workflows to strengthen retention

Together, these efforts created a more cohesive student journey from inquiry through graduation.

The Collegis Impact

Sustained Enrollment Growth and Stronger Student Persistence

By connecting data and activating insights, CWI achieved measurable improvements across enrollment and retention:

6 consecutive terms of year-over-year enrollment growth
Highest increase in student persistence in college history (Fall 2022 to Fall 2023)
19,000+ proactive student engagements in one year through LMS-driven outreach
Ongoing improvement in term-over-term retention rates

The institution didn’t just stabilize performance — it built a foundation for continued growth and student success.xecuted strategically.

Consecutive terms of enrollment growth

1,900+

Proactive student engagements (in one year)

Our partnership with Collegis has provided expertise, speed, and flexibility in areas where we, as an institution of higher education, have been unable to improve so nimbly. Where most consultants provide an analysis and leave, Collegis follows through with ‘and this is how we’ll make that happen for you’. Trusting their recommendations is easy because I know they are signing themselves up to do the work with me.

Tyler Brown

Associate VP of Enrollment & Student Services, College of Western Idaho

The Takeaway: Connected Data Enables Proactive Student Success

Enrollment and retention challenges are rarely isolated. They stem from disconnected systems and limited visibility. CWI’s success demonstrates that when institutions unify data and activate insights across the student lifecycle, they can move from reactive support to proactive engagement, driving both growth and persistence.

Build a Connected Strategy That Drives Growth and Retention

If your institution is facing enrollment declines or retention challenges, the path forward starts with your data. Collegis partners with colleges and universities to unify systems, improve visibility, and create strategies that support students from first touch through completion. Learn more about our Connected Core approach.

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