About the Episode
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About the Episode:
This week, Dustin chats with Rasheed Behrooznia, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Transact, who discusses the game-changing role of digital student IDs in higher education. Rasheed shares how Transact’s pioneering work on mobile credentials has transformed campus operations, enhanced security, and elevated the student experience. Drawing from years of experience in defense and public transit, Rasheed emphasizes the importance of mobile-first solutions and environmental sustainability, while offering insights on how colleges can streamline student services. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of campus technology and student engagement.
Key Takeaways
- Digital IDs offer a transformative approach to streamline campus operations and enhance student convenience.
- The adoption of mobile-first technology can elevate student satisfaction and improve campus security.
- Transact has pioneered digital ID solutions in higher education, with adoption rates now reaching 85% on campuses.
- Environmental impact is a priority for Gen Z students, with 75% considering sustainability when choosing an institution.
- Institutions looking to implement digital IDs can rely on best practices from early adopters to ensure a smooth rollout.
Episode Summary
What does Transact Campus do, and how are they innovating with digital IDs?
Transact Campus is a leader in developing technology solutions for higher education institutions. They focus on enhancing the student experience and operational efficiencies for administrators, specifically through mobile-first technology. With nearly 50 years in the industry, Transact has served over 1,800 colleges and universities globally. Their digital ID initiative, which has been a decade in the making, enables students to access facilities, services, and resources seamlessly through their smartphones. Rasheed highlights Transact’s role as a pioneer in integrating NFC technology into campus solutions, which has become a key part of many students' daily interactions on campus.
Why are digital IDs becoming so significant in higher education?
Digital IDs are part of the broader digital transformation occurring across campuses, enabling students to use their smartphones for building access, dining hall entry, and more. Rasheed emphasizes that this shift isn’t just about convenience; it also resonates with the values of today’s students. According to a recent study, 72% of students consider an institution's technological capabilities in their decision-making process, while 75% are influenced by its environmental impact. By moving to digital IDs, universities are not only providing a streamlined experience but also reducing waste from plastic cards—an effort that aligns with students' eco-conscious values.
How has the adoption of digital IDs evolved, and what are the current trends?
Transact launched its first digital ID solutions in 2018, with initial adoption rates around 10-20%. Since then, demand has surged, with adoption reaching 85% in 2024, as students increasingly expect modern, mobile-first solutions. Rasheed attributes this growth to the successful rollouts at early-adopter institutions like Duke, Alabama, and Oklahoma, which demonstrated the technology’s impact and helped normalize digital IDs on campuses nationwide. He also highlights that the digital ID platform connects seamlessly with wallet apps, which are now widely used for various aspects of daily life, from payment cards to public transportation, setting the stage for digital IDs to become a standard on campuses.
What operational benefits do digital IDs offer to institutions?
One of the key advantages of digital IDs is operational efficiency. Traditionally, distributing physical IDs to incoming students can be a lengthy and costly process. With digital IDs, students can access their ID immediately upon enrollment, reducing administrative workloads and eliminating lines and wait times for physical cards. Moreover, digital IDs enhance campus security by enabling real-time access adjustments, allowing institutions to respond instantly to lost credentials or changes in student status. This efficiency not only saves time and resources but also makes the campus safer and more responsive.
How do digital IDs improve the student experience?
For students, digital IDs offer unmatched convenience. Since most students always have their phones, a digital ID reduces the chance of being locked out of dorms or unable to access dining facilities due to forgotten cards. This seemingly minor convenience significantly contributes to a smoother day-to-day experience, aligning with students’ expectations for streamlined digital interactions. Additionally, digital IDs allow for quicker updates and adjustments, ensuring that students have a secure and reliable way to access campus services without the hassle of carrying multiple cards.
What advice does Transact offer for institutions considering digital ID implementation?
Rasheed advises institutions to collaborate with technology partners and leverage existing best practices from peer institutions. Early adopters have paved the way, developing protocols and case studies that can ease the transition for new campuses. While some universities start by rolling digital IDs out to incoming freshmen, Rasheed notes that, in most cases, demand from other students leads to rapid, campus-wide adoption within a year. He encourages campus leaders to consider the significant student demand, environmental benefits, and operational efficiencies when deciding to move forward with digital ID solutions.
About the Show: The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://twitter.com/HigherEd_Geek
About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There.
Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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