5 Lessons to Enhance Enrollment and Student Success in Higher Education

What if your admissions team could double application completion rates, foster personal connections through student workers, and evaluate applicants holistically — all while saving time and resources? 

Paul Quinn College achieved exactly that. Their bold transformation, powered by Element451, is setting a new standard for enrollment success in higher education.

In a recent episode of In Your Element, hosts Daniella Nordin and Brendan Henkel from Element451 talk with Daniela Botello-Hernandez of Paul Quinn College to explore how the institution revolutionized its admissions process. Through Element451, Paul Quinn streamlined workflows, embraced holistic admissions, empowered student ambassadors, and optimized data management across CRM and SIS systems. 

This post breaks down five actionable insights from their journey, offering higher ed professionals practical strategies to reimagine enrollment processes.

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What You Can Learn from Paul Quinn College’s Success Story

• Automating workflows improves efficiency and supports student success: By automating tasks like document tracking and follow-ups, Paul Quinn streamlined its admissions process and improved application completion rates.
• Holistic admissions ensure a fair and inclusive evaluation process: The college uses recalculated core GPAs, resumes, and recommendation letters to assess applicants beyond traditional metrics.
• Customizing application categories meets diverse student needs: Separate application pathways for groups like first-time freshmen and international students allow for tailored and effective admissions processes.
• Empowering student ambassadors fosters engagement and productivity: Ambassadors handle tasks such as applicant follow-ups and document uploads, creating connections and enhancing efficiency.
• Balancing CRM and SIS systems keeps data clean and processes streamlined: Managing prospective student data in the CRM avoids cluttering the SIS, ensuring smoother operations across departments.

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Why Move Applications In-House?

Paul Quinn College made the bold decision to bring its application management entirely in-house, transitioning away from a third-party vendor. This move provided the institution with more control, flexibility, and cost savings. By leveraging Element451’s robust features, Paul Quinn expanded its application offerings from two to four distinct categories: first-time freshmen, transfer students, international applicants, and participants in their Guild program.

The Guild program, which provides educational funding for employees of partner companies, highlights how this transition allowed the college to address the unique needs of each applicant pool. Daniela noted that the streamlined process has empowered staff to oversee every step of the admissions process while saving money and better serving prospective students.

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Implementing Holistic Admissions

At the heart of Paul Quinn’s admissions transformation is a holistic approach that evaluates applicants as individuals rather than numbers. The institution now recalculates GPAs based solely on core coursework, ensuring a more equitable measure of academic potential. Letters of recommendation and resumes are also carefully reviewed and weighted in admissions decisions, allowing applicants with nontraditional strengths to shine.

Daniela emphasized how this approach reflects the realities of Paul Quinn’s student body, many of whom come from under-resourced backgrounds. For example, some students may have lower GPAs because of work or family responsibilities, but their resilience, work ethic, and contributions are acknowledged as valuable indicators of potential success. By embracing this perspective, the college has created an admissions process that reflects its mission and values.

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Automating and Organizing with Element451

Automation has revolutionized Paul Quinn’s admissions processes, improving efficiency and outcomes. With Element451’s task and workflow features, the college has automated critical document tracking and communication aspects. Applicants are now automatically notified of missing documents, and they can upload these directly into the system, cutting down on delays and manual follow-ups.

This automation has had a significant impact. Completed applications with all required documents jumped from 7% to nearly 17%, doubling the readiness rate for review. Moreover, the time saved by automating these processes has allowed staff to focus on building relationships with prospective students rather than chasing paperwork.

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Empowering Student Ambassadors

Student ambassadors play a vital role in Paul Quinn’s admissions success. Daniela explained that the college employs six ambassadors, each with a dedicated set of tasks managed through Element451’s task module. From following up with applicants to assisting with document uploads, these ambassadors ensure a seamless experience for prospective students.

What makes this approach particularly effective is its emphasis on connection. Ambassadors are encouraged to build relationships with applicants, offering personalized support and guidance throughout the process. This not only improves application completion rates but also fosters a sense of community and belonging among prospective students.

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Balancing CRMs and SIS Systems

One of the key lessons Paul Quinn has learned is the importance of keeping their CRM and SIS systems distinct but complementary. By using Element451 to manage prospective student data, the college has avoided cluttering its SIS with incomplete or unnecessary information. This clean separation ensures that each system operates at peak efficiency.

As Paul Quinn transitions to a new SIS, the clarity provided by their CRM setup has been invaluable. Daniela shared how this process has highlighted which data is truly essential, making the migration smoother and more purposeful. This strategic approach not only benefits admissions but also lays the groundwork for improved operations across other departments.

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Practical Lessons for Higher Education Professionals

The strategies implemented in this transformation offer clear lessons for higher education professionals looking to optimize enrollment and student success. Automating workflows doesn’t just save time—it ensures consistency and allows admissions teams to focus on meaningful engagement with applicants rather than manual tasks. 

Holistic admissions practices provide a framework for rethinking how institutions evaluate potential, emphasizing a student’s full story rather than traditional metrics alone. Tailored application processes, like creating unique buckets for different applicant demographics, show how personalization can address diverse student needs, ultimately enhancing their experience. These strategies demonstrate that with the right tools and mindset, any institution can build an admissions process that is both efficient and student-centered.

Paul Quinn College’s story is a testament to the power of embracing change and leveraging technology to improve enrollment processes. With Element451, the college has not only streamlined operations but also reinforced its commitment to serving students holistically and effectively.

For more insights from this inspiring conversation and to discover additional strategies for enrollment success, listen to the full episode of In Your Element and explore more at Element451.com.

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FAQ

1. How can automating workflows improve enrollment and student success?
Automation streamlines application processes, improves communication with applicants, and frees up staff to focus on personalized support.

2. Why is a holistic admissions approach important for student success?
Holistic admissions evaluate the whole applicant, including their experiences, strengths, and potential, creating more equitable opportunities for students.