Focused admissions outreach and paid media
In 2018, Dominican University engaged Collegis Education for support in growing enrollment. Despite a strong brand, the university’s outreach efforts were hampered by data siloed in disparate tracking systems, gaps in admissions team staffing, and the need for data enablement to support marketing and recruitment. Dominican and Collegis collaborated to execute a holistic enrollment growth strategy – informed by data – that focuses on admissions outreach and engagement for graduate and undergraduate students, as well as paid media management, reporting and forecasting for undergraduate and graduate students.
Situation: Enrollment process mapping
To achieve Dominican University’s goal to create a successful enrollment growth strategy for traditional, graduate and online programs, Collegis connected the university’s systems, such as its CRM and marketing analytics platforms, and collected it in one central platform for activation. By mapping Dominican’s enrollment process, Collegis was able to recommend actions to ensure the student journey was optimized and personalized.
The school’s growth strategy prioritized driving first-year undergraduate enrollments and the development of an online Master’s in Social Work program to drive scalable enrollment and revenue growth. It was clear Dominican would need support to refine the student engagement process, increase conversation rates, and manage the maintenance and deployment of online program courses.
Results: Exceeding ambitious enrollment goals
Across the board, the focused efforts outlined in the partner plan showed positive results for fall 2022.
- 31% increase in first-year undergraduate enrollments
- 51% increase in first-year undergraduate acceptances
- 48% increase in first-year undergraduate applications
- 29% above goal for summer/fall 2022 graduate enrollment
Enrollment for first-year undergraduate and summer/fall graduate programs exceeded goals, year over year.
About Dominican University
Institution Type:
Private Catholic non-profit coed university
Location:
River Forest, Illinois
Total Enrollment:
3,066
Goals
- Meaningful outreach and engagement
- Analytics engineered for actionable insights
- Flexible technology systems for students
Challenges
- Siloed data across systems
- Gaps in staffing for admissions team
- Lack of sufficient data for marketing and recruitment
Solutions
- Data Analytics and Enablement
- Web Performance Optimization
- Marketing and Media Management
- Admissions Support Services and Admissions Training
- Course Development and Academic Solutions
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Data streamlines enrollment process
In an increasingly competitive online degree market, Saint Louis University’s (SLU) School for Professional Studies experienced several years of declining enrollment. While the number of online students has dramatically increased over the past decade, so has the number of online programs offered by institutions, with mega-universities capturing significant market share. In order to address enrollment decline and build a foundation for growth, SLU focused on enhancing and differentiating its programmatic suite while collaborating with Collegis Education to build a frictionless student enrollment experience.
Situation: Continuous improvement model
Over three years of collaborative partnership, Collegis Education and Saint Louis University School for Professional Studies have worked side by side in elevating the student inquiry-to-application journey. This allowed SLU to remove barriers in the admissions process and ensure students have a seamless experience from marketing through enrollment.
By first learning about SLU’s historical practices and operations, Collegis built a comprehensive data foundation to help SLU identify and solve enrollment barriers. Through this data-driven approach, Collegis and SLU were able to establish a continuous improvement philosophy with the goal of streamlining the enrollment process and reducing friction on the prospective student.
Solution: A faster, more equitable experience
With an eye on uplifting the student experience, Collegis audited the enrollment process and took action to ensure students weren’t getting lost in red tape or complicated systems and processes. After diving in, Collegis found that five small steps could make a large difference for SLU:
Position smarter handoffs: Collegis implemented an automated scheduling system for interview hand off from Collegis to SLU, making it easier for students to schedule interviews when it was convenient for them, without having to have an initial conversation.
Speed up the process: Collegis suggested collecting transcripts on the students’ behalf to save them time and keep them better engaged in the admission journey.
Focus on equity: With an eye on inclusion and equity, Collegis believed it was an appropriate time to eliminate deposit and application fees.
Improved data transfer: Collegis supported the migration of all SPS programs to Salesforce to create consistency and smooth data transfer between undergraduate and graduate programs that were previously in separate CRM systems.
Streamline the application process: By reducing the time from acceptance to registration to speed up enrollment, Collegis found that administrative hours were reduced and students were moved through the process quicker.
About Saint Louis University
Institution Type:
Catholic, Jesuit institution
Location:
St. Louis, Missouri
Student Enrollment:
13,287
Services:
- Admissions efficiencies
- Student engagement
- Business process optimization
Key Results:
From Fall 2018 to Spring 2021:
- Applicant inquiries increased over 997%
- Applications increased 189%
- Undergraduate enrollments increased 145%
- Graduate enrollments increased 38%
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Reducing Friction to Drive Enrollment Growth
How Collegis streamlined the enrollment experience, improved engagement, and significantly increased application volume.
Enrollment growth isn’t just about generating demand. It’s about removing the barriers that prevent students from taking the next step. Saint Louis University (SLU) recognized that gaps in its enrollment process were limiting conversion and creating friction for prospective students. Through a partnership with Collegis, they streamlined engagement, improved responsiveness, and optimized the enrollment experience to drive measurable results.
Friction Across the Enrollment Journey Limited Conversion
Despite steady interest from prospective students, process inefficiencies created obstacles that impacted enrollment performance.
Key challenges included:
- Delayed response times to prospective student inquiries
- Inconsistent communication across channels and teams
- Limited visibility into the enrollment funnel and student progression
- Manual processes that slowed follow-up and reduced engagement
Without a coordinated approach, qualified prospects were slipping through the cracks.
A Streamlined, Student-Centered Approach to Enrollment
Collegis partnered with SLU to remove friction and create a more responsive, data-driven enrollment process.
Key actions included:
- Implemented centralized inquiry management to improve speed and consistency
- Standardized communication workflows across channels
- Leveraged data and reporting to track engagement and optimize outreach
- Enhanced staffing support to ensure timely, personalized follow-up
Together, these improvements created a more seamless and supportive experience for prospective students.
The Collegis Impact
Improved Responsiveness, Stronger Engagement, and Increased Enrollment
With barriers removed and processes optimized, the institution achieved:
- Increased conversion from inquiry to enrollment
- Faster response times and improved prospective student engagement
- Greater visibility into funnel performance and enrollment activity
- More consistent, scalable enrollment operations
The result was a more efficient enrollment engine built to support sustained growth.
The Takeaway: Operational Efficiency Drives Stronger Conversion Outcomes
Institutions often focus on generating more leads — but growth also depends on how effectively those leads are managed. By streamlining processes, improving responsiveness, and aligning teams, institutions can unlock significant enrollment gains without increasing demand generation efforts.
Streamline Your Enrollment Strategy to Unlock Growth
If your institution is experiencing inconsistent follow-up, slow response times, or stalled conversion rates, it’s time to rethink your enrollment approach. Collegis partners with colleges and universities, offering comprehensive enrollment services that optimize engagement, streamline processes, and drive measurable enrollment outcomes.
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Improving user experience to boost conversion rates
One private university attracted new students by expanding their online offerings. While market research showed there was interest and a growing audience for these online programs, the university wasn’t getting the traffic they needed to these new website pages — and the traffic they did receive wasn’t converting.
Learn how this school optimized their website to improve user experience, increase web sessions and raise the number of web conversions to grow their enrollment.
Situation: Website audit and restructuring
To uncover why this university was experiencing lower-than-expected web traffic and conversions, Collegis investigated their website performance and soon discovered the problem. Over the years, the school’s website had expanded, organized based on internal needs and not on how a student might search for information or navigate the site. This made the site fragmented and full of friction for users — high bounce rates, low time spent on page and poor placement in search results.
As with many schools, our partner didn’t have experts on staff to diagnose the root cause of this issue or effectively fix the problem. In short, the university knew their online prospects weren’t finding the right information to convert, but they didn’t know what to do about it. They needed someone who understood complex web navigation and had the resources to fix it.
To identify where and why prospective students were getting hung up or confused on the website, Collegis performed a full website audit. Our experts tested the user experience to find and remove the barriers that were inhibiting the website — typically a university’s most valuable marketing tool — from performing.
The primary issues were:
- User Confusion with Site Architecture: Programs and modality were organized by the University’s internal processes, not by how a user seeks out the information. This made it difficult and frustrating for a prospect to find what they were looking for.
- Duplicate Pages: Because information was organized under modality silos, some programs had multiple pages of nearly identical information. This duplicate content causes distrust by search engines and lowers the position in a search engine results page (SERP).
- No Program Finder: Program pages are often the most sought-after information on a college’s website. The University didn’t have a single source of all programs — or a way to sort and search them.
Results: Lift in web traffic and conversions
In order to increase web traffic and conversions, Collegis performed and implemented the following:
Local SEO: Simply establishing a consistent name, address and phone number across the website gave search engines confidence that they understand who our partner is, what they do and where they are located.
On-Page Content Optimization: Degree and program pages were redesigned to increase consistency, visibility and conversions. Many had been thin on content, making it difficult for search engines to understand the value of a page and why they should make it visible as a search result.
Improving Calls to Action (CTAs): Placement of CTAs within the application conversion path on the homepage and program pages made it simpler for prospects to apply and request information.
Foundational and Technical SEO: Improvements were made in terms of basic website functionality, such as cleaning navigation, correcting 404 errors and redirects, addressing site speed, improving folder structure and breadcrumb navigation, etc., to drive additional relevancy and authority — and improve visibility within the SERPs.
Institution Type:
Private Religious University
Location:
Midwest
Modalities:
On campus, online hybrid, regionwide
through partnership with community colleges
Services:
- Restructured site architecture
- Streamlined page navigation
- Improved user experience
- Website optimization
- Search engine optimization
Key Results:
- In the first year, the University saw website conversion rates increase 35%, despite the challenges of COVID-19.
- 64% increase in web users moving from homepage to program pages.
- The top three visited sections from the homepage post-launch became the Program, Graduate and Undergraduate sections.
- The site experienced a 13.4% increase in new sessions.
- All programs can now be seen in one place, making it easier to find and compare degree programs.
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Optimizing IT Spend Without Sacrificing Performance
How Saint Francis University partnered with Collegis to reduce its IT budget and reinvest savings into strategic technology modernization.
As Saint Francis University (SFU) expanded online and hybrid learning, leadership recognized a critical need: its technology infrastructure had to evolve just as quickly. The university lacked a cohesive IT strategy, governed systems, and scalable infrastructure to support growth. Through a strategic IT Managed Services partnership with Collegis, SFU implemented a long-term technology roadmap that stabilized operations, standardized systems, and positioned the institution for sustainable transformation.
An Aging, Fragmented IT Environment Limited Scalability and Growth
To support expanded digital learning and institutional modernization, SFU needed a stronger technology foundation.
Key challenges included:
- No cohesive long-term IT strategy aligned to institutional growth goals
- Limited governance and inconsistent system standards
- Infrastructure gaps impacting security, connectivity, and reliability
- Technology constraints hindering online and hybrid program expansion
Without stabilization and structure, IT operations remained reactive — limiting the university’s ability to scale confidently.
A Strategic Roadmap for IT Stability and Growth
Collegis partnered with SFU to assess the environment, reduce risk, and design a phased roadmap for long-term success.
Key actions included:
- Conducted a full IT assessment and built a multi-year strategic roadmap
- Established formal IT governance to standardize systems and decision-making
- Modernized core infrastructure, including Active Directory, Wi-Fi, security, and help desk support
- Delivered virtual CIO leadership to align IT strategy with institutional goals
This coordinated approach transformed IT from a support function into a strategic enabler of institutional progress.
The Collegis Impact
Measurable Savings, Stronger Infrastructure, and Exceptional User Satisfaction
SFU’s roadmap execution delivered clear, quantifiable outcomes:
- 14% reduction in the university’s IT budget, enabling reinvestment in strategic upgrades
- 96.3 average Net Promoter Score for help desk satisfaction (six-month average)
- Major infrastructure upgrades completed, improving security, connectivity, and system reliability
- Seamless transition to remote and hybrid operations supported by a stabilized, scalable IT environment
The partnership didn’t just modernize systems. It strengthened institutional confidence in technology as a strategic enabler.
The Takeaway
Stabilize First. Standardize Second. Transform with Intention.
Digital transformation requires more than isolated upgrades. It demands governance, leadership, and a clear roadmap aligned to institutional goals. Saint Francis University’s partnership with Collegis demonstrates how structured planning and strategic IT management reduce risk, improve efficiency, and create a foundation for long-term growth.
Build a Technology Foundation Designed for What’s Next
If your institution is navigating aging infrastructure, inconsistent systems, or stalled modernization efforts, it’s time for a strategic roadmap. Collegis partners with colleges and universities to stabilize operations, standardize environments, and transform IT into a catalyst for institutional growth. Learn more about our Managed IT Services.
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Finding efficiencies and reinvesting in upgrades
Looking to broaden their reach and serve students outside of their region, Saint Francis University decided to expand their online program offerings. To reach this goal, they needed to scale their operations to deliver a quality, technology-enabled student experience.
Situation: Tech infrastructure assessment
Saint Francis recognized the need to modernize their technology infrastructure and strengthen their capabilities in order to achieve their goals and improve long-term stability. The institution was searching for a partner that could support their entire IT department’s daily operations, while also building a strategic roadmap to enable and transform their digital infrastructure. Collaborating with Collegis Education, Saint Francis found a partner that could implement a comprehensive IT managed services solution and make progress toward their longer-term goals. Through the partnership, the university gained access to a wealth of technology expertise and new capabilities.
The Collegis managed services solution for Saint Francis included stabilizing their technology and infrastructure, standardizing expectations through strong IT governance, and optimizing business processes and infrastructure for increased efficiencies.
Collegis conducted an assessment of key digital infrastructure to find efficiencies and cost savings. The result was a strategic roadmap that included recommendations for technology transition projects, augmentation of staff, and an expansion of student and staff help desk services.
In addition, Saint Francis leadership worked with Collegis to install a virtual CIO to oversee strategy and operations for the department and to transition Saint Francis staff to the Collegis technology team.
Results: Reduced technology debt and improved help desk satisfaction
Collegis created a transition plan to retire technology debt by upgrading major platforms. Significant transition projects to stabilize the university’s infrastructure were completed, including:
- A new card access system
- A more secure, robust Active Directory to replace outdated authentication
- Upgraded campus-wide Wi-Fi network
Collegis helped the entire university adapt to remote work and transition to hybrid classrooms and virtual technology. Additionally, the Saint Francis IT help desk transitioned to the Collegis Personal Support Center (PSC) technology support program. Since the transition, the 6-month average Net Promoter Score is 96.3, as rated by faculty, students and staff.
Just one year into the partnership, Collegis began to optimize and transform Saint Francis’s technology landscape, conducting business process assessments, streamlining student laptop programs, and implementing the Microsoft Office 365 suite to increase security and improve user experience.
Overall, the strategic planning and implementation of a long-term technology roadmap identified efficiencies and a 14-percent cost savings in the university’s IT budget, allowing the funds to be reinvested into digital transformation initiatives.
During the global COVID-19 pandemic, Collegis also provided strategic technology leadership and recommendations to deploy CARES Act funds for a smooth transition to remote and hybrid learning delivery and paved the way for capital projects that continue to help Saint Francis University transform.
About Saint Francis University
Institution Type:
Private Catholic liberal arts university
Location:
Loretto, Pennsylvania
Total Enrollment:
2,232
Services:
- Comprehensive IT Managed Services
- Enterprise Applications
- IT Leadership & Governance
- Infrastructure & Operations
- Virtual CIO
- 24/7 Tech Support & Help Desk
Key Takeaways:
- 3 year-one transition projects
- 14% IT budget cost savings
- 96.3 Net Promoter Score
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Turning Website Traffic into Measurable Growth
How a data-driven optimization strategy strengthened enrollment performance and improved conversion outcomes.
For many institutions, website traffic looks strong on paper, but traffic alone doesn’t drive enrollment. One private, religious university in the Midwest recognized that while prospective students were visiting its website, too few were taking the next step. Through a focused partnership with Collegis, the university implemented a data-driven web optimization strategy that significantly increased conversions and improved engagement across key recruitment pages.
Strong Visibility, Limited Conversion Performance
The university’s website attracted prospective students, but performance gaps prevented it from reaching its full enrollment potential.
Key challenges included:
- High site traffic paired with low inquiry and application conversion rates
- Inconsistent calls to action across priority program pages
- User navigation friction disrupting the decision journey
- Limited visibility into behavioral data and funnel drop-off points
Marketing investment was driving awareness, but the website wasn’t maximizing return.
A Data-Driven Approach for Conversion Growth
Collegis partnered with the university to reposition the website as a strategic conversion tool rather than a static information hub.
Key actions included:
- Conducting a comprehensive UX and performance audit
- Analyzing user behavior to identify friction points and exit trends
- Redesigning high-priority landing pages with stronger calls to action
- Implementing ongoing A/B testing and continuous optimization
Grounded in behavioral insights, these improvements turned the website into a measurable driver of enrollment growth.
The Collegis Impact
Measurable Growth Across Traffic, Navigation, and Conversions
Through strategic website restructuring and optimization, performance improved across the full enrollment funnel:
- 35% Increase in web conversion rates
- 64% Increase in users moving from the homepage to program pages
- 13% Increase in new website sessions
- Improved visibility in search results through technical and foundational SEO enhancements
By eliminating friction, clarifying navigation, and strengthening on-page and technical SEO, the website evolved into a more intuitive, conversion-driven enrollment asset.
The Takeaway: Traffic Alone Doesn’t Drive Enrollment. Optimization Does.
Institutions invest heavily in SEO and paid media to drive prospective students to their websites. But without strategic optimization, that traffic doesn’t translate into measurable growth. This case demonstrates how data-driven UX improvements and continuous testing can unlock significant enrollment gains — without increasing marketing spend.
Turn Your Website into a Measurable Growth Engine
If your institution is investing in digital marketing but not seeing proportional conversion growth, it’s time to optimize your most valuable recruitment asset. Collegis partners with colleges and universities to design and refine web experiences that drive measurable enrollment impact. Learn more about our comprehensive higher ed marketing services.
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Reinvesting IT Savings into Strategic Upgrades
How Collegis helped modernize IT governance, cutting operational expenses and freeing resources for strategic technology advancement.
As Saint Francis University (SFU) advanced its commitment to delivering a modern, student-centered experience, leadership recognized a critical need: technology had to be more strategically aligned with institutional priorities. Through a partnership with Collegis, SFU implemented a formal IT governance structure and strengthened its digital infrastructure — creating clarity, accountability, and long-term scalability across the institution.
Fragmented Systems and Unclear Governance Limited Digital Progress
SFU had a strong institutional vision, but technology processes and oversight needed refinement to support enterprise-wide transformation.
Key challenges included:
- No formal IT governance structure, limiting oversight and strategic technology investment
- Disconnected systems and fragmented data, reducing visibility and cross-campus alignment
- Unclear prioritization of IT initiatives, creating inefficiencies and duplicated effort
- Reactive IT operations focused on maintenance over strategy
Without a clear governance framework, technology initiatives risked becoming siloed, duplicative, or misaligned with broader institutional goals.
A Governance-First Approach to Sustainable Digital Transformation
Collegis partnered with SFU to design and implement a structured IT governance model while strengthening the institution’s digital foundation.
Key actions included:
- Establishing a formal IT governance framework with defined roles, decision rights, and accountability
- Aligning technology planning with institutional strategy and student lifecycle priorities
- Improving systems integration to enhance cross-campus data flow
- Developing a strategic IT roadmap to guide future investments
Rather than implementing isolated upgrades, the partnership created an intentional structure to support long-term digital evolution.
The Collegis Impact
Measurable Savings, Stronger Governance, and Trusted Partnership
Through strategic IT alignment and infrastructure modernization, Saint Francis University achieved:
- $200K in IT cost savings, with funds reallocated to support high-priority campus technology upgrades
- An average Net Promoter Score of 88, reflecting strong institutional satisfaction and partnership confidence
- Formalized IT governance and decision-making structures, improving prioritization and accountability
- Improved systems integration and digital infrastructure, enabling a more connected, student-centered experience
The Takeaway: Governance Transforms IT from Operational Support to Strategic Enabler
When institutions formalize governance and align infrastructure with institutional goals, technology becomes a catalyst for growth rather than a constraint. SFU’s partnership with Collegis demonstrates how structured decision-making and modern systems create the conditions for sustainable, student-centered innovation.
Align Your Technology with Your Institutional Vision
If your institution is navigating fragmented systems, unclear IT oversight, or stalled digital initiatives, it’s time to establish a stronger foundation. Collegis partners with colleges and universities to provide full managed IT services, implement governance frameworks, modernize infrastructure, and unlock technology’s full strategic value.
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Comprehensive IT management
In 2019, Saint Francis University decided to expand their online program offerings to reach students outside their immediate market. They first needed to transform their operations to deliver a quality, technology-enabled student experience, both on and off campus. Because of the campus’s remote location, they struggled with power outages, Wi-Fi issues, as well as attracting and retaining the right staff to help the university realize their objectives. The institution was searching for a partner that could support the entire IT department’s rapidly expanding list of daily operations and build a long-term strategic roadmap.
Situation: Technology roadmap and staffing
Saint Francis recognized the need to modernize their infrastructure to achieve their goals and provide long-term stability. They began a partnership with Collegis for a comprehensive technology management solution. Collegis designed a strategic, multi-year roadmap for digital transformation that first prioritized developing the infrastructure that would immediately improve the student experience and ultimately allow the university to expand its online programs.
Collegis worked collaboratively with school leadership to install a virtual CIO to oversee strategy and operations for the IT department. The virtual CIO quickly became a key advisor to the president and board, bridging the gap between technology initiatives and how they align with enrollment and revenue goals. Saint Francis staff also transitioned to the Collegis technology team, allowing the university to mitigate their talent acquisition and retention issues.
Results: Cutting-edge student experiences
The Collegis team has identified and completed several major initiatives to stabilize the university’s infrastructure since the start of the partnership:
- Simplified the technology infrastructure, resulting in $200K reallocated to help fund upgrades
- Upgraded the card access system for campus staff and students
- Implemented Active Directory, a secure and robust authentication technology
- Installed an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) backup to keep power running during outages
- Transitioned from the school’s overworked help desk to the Collegis Personal Support Center (PSC)
- Upgraded to a reliable campus-wide Wi-Fi network
The Collegis PSC has accommodated a wide variety of technology support calls while maintaining a high satisfaction rate. Between 2020 and 2022, Collegis has maintained an average Net Promoter Score of 88 – a measure that exceeds most industries’ benchmarks for excellent customer satisfaction. In other words, the implementation of the PSC has enabled a comprehensive, smooth student experience.
A variety of Collegis’s technology changes were immediately apparent to students, including introducing Active Directory for single-sign-on (SSO) authentication into a suite of programs, enjoying reliable Wi-Fi and feeling safer thanks to an updated card access system that helps keep the campus secure. In addition, behind the-scenes upgrades, like a state-of-the-art data center, stabilized the aging technology for more reliability. Overall, Collegis has optimized and transformed Saint Francis’s framework to offer a technology-enabled student experience. With their infrastructure now on the cutting edge, Collegis experts are rolling up their sleeves to develop and grow the university’s online programs across the globe.
About Saint Francis University
Institution Type:
Private Catholic liberal arts university
Location:
Loretto, Pennsylvania
Total Enrollment:
2,232
Services:
- Comprehensive IT Managed Services
- 24/7 Tech Support & Help Desk
- Application Administration & Support
- IT Leadership & Governance
- Infrastructure & Operations
- Virtual CIO
Key Takeaways:
- $200K reallocated toward technology upgrades
- 88 Average Net Promoter Score
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The COVID-19 pandemic has been the driving force behind a whole slew of challenges society has faced so far in 2020. Its detrimental effects have hit every industry in some way, but higher education has been dealt some especially devastating blows.
When colleges and universities were called to abruptly close down campuses in the spring, they were forced to transition residential operations online virtually overnight. For many schools, this was a rude awakening that outdated technology ecosystems simply weren’t able to deliver the quality online experience and support that today’s students and faculty have come to expect.
But that wasn’t the case for Cabrini University. The private institution located outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania had already established a strong partnership with Collegis Education to digitally transform their online presence. So when the governor of Pennsylvania ordered all higher ed institutions to go fully remote on March 13, Cabrini was up for the challenge.
Building on an established foundation in technology
Cabrini was aware of the importance of investing in technology long before disaster struck. Prior to the pandemic, the college had partnered with Collegis to help strengthen its technology infrastructure and online learning platforms, putting them a step ahead of most schools at the time.
So when the Cabrini campus was closed, the following key elements were already in place:
- Online platform: An LMS platform with training materials was in place for all online programs.
- 24/7 virtual helpdesk: Technology support resources were available to help remote students and employees any time day or night.
- Connectivity: Most technology systems were remotely accessible through cloud-based apps and VPN solutions.
- Laptops: Most faculty and staff had laptops available to them, allowing for an easy transition to remote work.
Eric J. Olson, vice president of finance and treasurer at Cabrini University, believes the foundation that was put in place before COVID-19 helped the institution weather the storm that struck.
“The effort that went into building this infrastructure payed a lot of dividends for us when met with this crisis,” Olson says.
“The processes we’ve put in place have really made a lot of difference,” he adds.
Anticipating and addressing new challenges
Fortunately, when disaster hit, Cabrini already had access to the expanded technology support offered by Collegis’s large IT organization to implement or scale new technology quickly. But even so, the team faced new challenges that required immediate action:
- All programs required electronic course materials and exam proctoring.
- Some students lacked the technology needed to access online courses.
- Many faculty members were unfamiliar with online teaching.
- Digital communication and outreach became far more important and required greater access and training.
- In-person campus events had to be reimagined with virtual solutions.
- The entire Cabrini staff had to transition into a fully remote workforce.
- New information security vulnerabilities had to be anticipated and protected against.
Of these concerns, faculty adoption of online teaching was of utmost importance. Cabrini has a legacy of providing excellence in education and was determined to live up to that reputation even in a virtual environment.
With help from Collegis, training sessions were initiated around the clock along with the development of LMS user guides and materials for all faculty. Regular communication was established between Cabrini leadership and the Cabrini community via email, virtual townhall meetings and the campus portal.
New collaboration technology – such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams – deployed immediately to allow for convenient communication and synchronous learning options. 24/7 tech support was offered for students and staff, along with access to loaner laptops for those who needed one. Investments were also made in software programs that could help ensure exam integrity.
With the existing technology foundation and the support and guidance from Collegis to address new obstacles, Cabrini was able to transition to a fully virtual model in less than two weeks.
Empowering and supporting the virtual campus
Nearly every higher education institution across the country was faced with a similar timeline for quickly migrating residential classes to a virtual format. A handful of tactics were universally used to provide a temporary fix to finish out the term online, but Cabrini was determined to go a step further and provide the most enriching experience possible for their students.
Technology was the vital enabler in order to achieve this. With the help of Collegis, they were able to stream digital events via video platforms, provide virtual campus visits for new students and even host their highly anticipated annual Accepted Students Day in a remote format.
Collegis was also able to play an integral role in providing ongoing IT support for Cabrini through the crisis. This included providing the following:
- Virtual CIO services
- 24/7 student and staff IT support (including prospective students)
- Recommendations and guidance on use of technology platforms
- Training and support on expanded use of technology
- Assistance in processing CARES payments and refunds for students
- Information security vigilance of remote computers and connections
- Evaluation of enhanced classroom technology for the fall term
Moving forward with an uncertain future
With the uncertainty of the length and extent of the COVID-19 crisis, Cabrini and Collegis have continued to prepare for changes to teaching and learning for the remainder of the year and into 2021. This has involved planning for the increased usage of video learning options, scaling online learning platforms, embracing technology innovation and new features to platforms, and extending campus wi-fi coverage to include outdoor common areas.
Cabrini University’s rapid transition to fully remote operations is certainly a success story. The investments made over the past few years to strengthen their technology infrastructure undoubtedly helped prepare them to persevere through these unprecedented times. The importance of such efforts is more evident than ever in today’s higher education landscape.
But you don’t have to go at it alone. Implementing a full digital transformation is a lofty task. This is especially true for smaller institutions, like Cabrini, that simply don’t have the capacity to handle it all in-house.
“For schools like us that are small and resource-challenged, it doesn’t mean your technology needs are any less. So, you’re faced with issues of ‘how are we going to meet those needs?’” Olson shares. But in partnering with Collegis, Cabrini was able to overcome the challenges brought by COVID-19 and continue pushing forward in their mission of academic excellence, leadership development and a commitment to social justice.
Check out this on-demand webinar to hear firsthand about this successful partnership from Cabrini and Collegis leaders.
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