Today’s students expect more than just academic instruction; they want experiences that resonate with their personal identities and aspirations. To achieve this, institutions must prioritize creating environments where students feel empowered to drive their own educational journeys, with personalized pathways that align with individual learning styles and career goals. A critical piece? Technology. Start with these five ways institutions can drive student success with the right tech:

1. Invest in Technology That Engages 

With nearly 60% of educational institutions planning to invest in technology, schools need to develop campus-wide engagement strategies. This includes implementing CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems and data analytics platforms to manage student communication, ensuring all interactions are timely and personalized.

2. Segment Communications for Personalization

Effective communication with students is crucial. However, there is often a gap between what students prefer (e.g., personalized email or text messages) and what they receive. Schools need to segment their student populations and send targeted communications based on individual preferences, whether through emails, alerts, or other channels.

3. Close the Trust Gap with Consistent Communication

With 59% of students citing a trust gap due to inconsistent communication, institutions must work to bridge this gap. Consistency in messaging, clarity about academic policies, and responsiveness to student queries will help rebuild trust and ensure students feel supported throughout their educational journey.

4. Leverage Data + Analytics

Utilizing data insights is key to making informed decisions about student engagement and support. By analyzing student behavior and feedback, institutions can better tailor services to meet student needs, ensuring continuous improvement of the overall student experience.

5. Implement a Unified Communication Platform

Students expect seamless interactions with their institutions. Therefore, colleges must adopt a unified marketing and communication platform that supports coordinated messaging across departments. This ensures that students receive clear, consistent information at every touchpoint, reducing confusion and enhancing their trust in the institution.

For institutions to thrive in a student-led experience era, they must align themselves with student expectations by adopting these key changes. From personalized communication to developing strong campus-wide engagement strategies, the shift to a student-centric model is essential for success in today’s competitive education landscape. To learn how Coffee + Dunn works with clients on delivering the connected student experience, check out our webinar or contact us today.