Celebrating Excellence: Insights from the 2024 Element 451 Captain of the Year, Kathy Taylor

In another episode of In Your Element, hosts Daniella Nordin and Brendan Henkel, had the honor of being joined by Kathy Taylor, the 2024 Element451 Captain of the Year, from Wake Tech CC. She shared her journey, achievements, and the transformative impact of Element451 on Wake Tech’s processes.

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Wake Tech’s Journey with Element 451

Wake Tech, North Carolina’s largest community college, embarked on a significant transformation with Element451. Before implementing this CRM, processes were manually driven, with staff juggling multiple tasks and students often feeling lost in the system. Kathy, who has a background in admission records, described how Element451 streamlined these processes, reducing the need for multiple touchpoints and improving communication significantly.

Previously, students received a bulk list of next steps, often leading to confusion and inaction. With Element451, communications are now personalized and timely. Students are guided through each step, such as activating their account or submitting transcripts, with clear, individualized messages. This shift has made a world of difference, not only in efficiency but also in the student experience, helping them stay on track with their application process.

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The Power of Community and Collaboration

One of Kathy’s key pieces of advice for other Element451 captains is the importance of networking and collaboration. She emphasized how connecting with peers from other institutions, especially within the North Carolina Community Colleges, has been invaluable. Kathy regularly participates in networking sessions and listens to the Element451 podcasts, gathering insights and sharing experiences with others.

The value of community extends into digital spaces as well. Kathy highlighted the benefits of engaging with the Element451 Circle community, describing it as a crucial resource for problem-solving and innovation. She encourages other captains to make it a weekly habit to check in and contribute, fostering a collective knowledge base that everyone can draw from.

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Training and Implementation: Kathy’s Secret to Success

Training emerged as a surprising but pivotal aspect of Kathy’s role as an Element451 Captain. Over time, she discovered a passion for teaching others how to leverage the platform effectively. Setting aside time each week specifically for training has allowed Kathy to help different departments within Wake Tech, such as workforce continuing education, to fully integrate Element451 into their processes.

Her approach to training is methodical yet flexible, ensuring that every team member feels confident in using the system. This commitment to education within her institution not only improves buy-in but also enhances the overall efficiency and effectiveness of Element451 at Wake Tech.

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What’s Next for Wake Tech and Kathy Taylor?

Looking ahead, Kathy and her team are excited about new developments, particularly the student portals and the continued use of AI tools like Co-Pilot, introduced at Engage 2024. These innovations promise to further enhance the student experience and streamline internal processes. Kathy is also working on integrating applications for Wake Tech’s health science programs, moving away from cumbersome paper-based systems to more efficient digital workflows.

For Kathy, the journey with Element451 has been about more than just implementing a CRM—it’s been about transforming how her institution operates, improving the student experience, and continuously finding new ways to innovate.

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Key Takeaways:

• Streamlined Processes: Element451 has significantly reduced manual tasks and improved communication, leading to a better student experience.
• Community Engagement: Networking with peers and participating in the Element451 Circle community has been instrumental in driving innovation and solving problems.
• Effective Training: Regular, dedicated training sessions have been key to ensuring successful implementation and buy-in across departments.
• Future Innovations: Wake Tech is looking forward to further enhancing their student experience with new tools like student portals and AI-driven solutions.

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To hear more about Kathy Taylor’s journey and insights, be sure to listen to the full episode of In Your Element on the Enrollify Podcast Network.