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About the Episode
About the Episode: Jenni Katowski, Director of Admissions at Kellogg Community College, discusses her experiences with Element451 and how it has empowered the team and improved processes. Jenny shares examples of how Element451 has improved Kellogg’s application process, increased student applications, and personalized communication. Jenni highlights Element451’s adaptability and user-friendliness, which allows Kellogg to make changes and create custom applications without relying solely on their IT department. She also discusses the benefits of “set-it-and-forget-it” workflows for personalized student communication, resulting in 82% email open rates for an important student initiative. Jenni emphasizes the student-centered approach and the power of education in helping students and their families and shares tips for ways to train staff and use reports and exports to track and analyze data.
Transforming Admissions with Technology
Jenni discussed how Kellogg Community College has revolutionized its admissions process by leveraging Element451. This CRM platform has enabled the admissions team to become more autonomous, reducing their reliance on the IT department. By using Element451, Kellogg’s staff can now create and adjust applications and communications workflows independently. This autonomy has allowed for tailored applications for different student types and automated communication flows that adjust dynamically to updated information.
Real-Life Benefits and Efficiency
One of the standout benefits of using Element451 is its user-friendly interface, which Jenni praised for its adaptability. The platform has significantly reduced the admissions team's workload by automating repetitive tasks and simplifying data management. For example, Kellogg has set up specific applications for their traditional, dual enrollment, and selective admission programs, such as nursing and radiography, directly through Element 451. This has streamlined the application process, making it more efficient and responsive to both staff and student needs.
Automated Communications: A Game Changer
Jenni highlighted the power of automated communications in improving student interactions. With Element451, Kellogg Community College can automatically send personalized communications as soon as applications are processed. This feature has not only saved time but has also ensured that communications are timely and relevant, significantly enhancing student engagement and satisfaction.
Empowerment Through User-Friendly Design
The design of Element451 is such that even those with minimal technical skills can use it effectively. This aspect has particularly benefited Kellogg Community College by allowing more staff members to engage with the system confidently. Jenni shared how easy it was to reassign tasks and update workflows within the platform, which has been crucial in maintaining the continuity and efficiency of the admissions process.
Key Takeaways:
- User Empowerment and Independence:
- Jenni highlighted how Element451 has empowered the admissions team at Kellogg Community College to operate independently of the IT department. This autonomy allows for quicker adaptations and updates to their system without the need for specialized IT support.
- Customization and Flexibility:
- The ability to customize applications for different student types (e.g., traditional, dual enrollment, selective admission programs) has significantly improved the admissions process. This flexibility ensures that the college can gather specific information relevant to each student type while maintaining a seamless integration into their systems.
- Efficient Communication Workflows:
- Element451 has enabled Kellogg to set up efficient communication workflows that automate much of the follow-up process with students. Changes to communications, like email updates, are easily implemented, demonstrating the platform's adaptability to evolving administrative needs.
- Impact on Staff and Student Experience:
- The implementation of Element451 has not only simplified the workload for staff but has also enhanced the student experience. For example, the streamlined application process now takes less than four minutes, significantly reducing the number of calls from students facing issues with applications.
- Data-Driven Decision Making:
- Jenni discussed how the data collected through Element451, such as email open rates for specific campaigns, has informed better decision-making processes at Kellogg. This approach allows the college to tailor communications effectively and respond to student needs proactively.
- Continuous Improvement:
- Looking ahead, Jenni emphasized the importance of continually reevaluating and improving communication strategies using AI and other new features from Element451. This mindset of ongoing enhancement reflects a commitment to leveraging technology to meet the dynamic needs of students and the institution.
Calls to Action:
- Subscribe to "In Your Element" for more insights into higher education technology and management.
- Share this episode with fellow educators and administrative professionals.
- Engage with us on social media to discuss your experiences with CRM implementations and how it has transformed student services at your institution.
Connect With Our Co-Hosts:
Daniella Nordin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellanordin/
Brendan Henkel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bkhenkel/
About The Enrollify Podcast Network: In Your Element 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 Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook and Higher Ed Pulse.
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
Connect with Us at the Engage Summit: Exciting news — Daniella and Brendan will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI.
Use the discount code Enrollify50 at checkout, and you can register for just $200.
Learn more and register at engage.element451.com — we can’t wait to see you there!
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