About the Episode
Netflix offers 6K+ shows and movies, TikTok has over a billion videos, and the Washington Post publishes over 1,000 stories, videos, and graphics per day. The volume of content is overwhelming which is why personalized discovery through the FYP, Netflix’s suggested shows and the Washington Post’s “what to read next” feature is essential to keep audiences engaged.
Other social giants are catching on, which is why you see “suggested posts” more than ever on Facebook and Instagram and why your Twitter feed is showing Tweets based on topics instead of just from those you follow.
The overwhelm can also be applied to higher ed institutions and their broad range of services, organizations, and other opportunities students can take advantage of and really benefit from. The problem is, how are students supposed to know those things exist?
In this episode, I talk to Cooper Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of RahRah, an app dedicated to ensuring an optimal student experience by showing students what resources, services, and organizations might interest them based on a personalized discovery model.
Key Takeaways
- Focus on Personalization and Discovery: Students should find relevant resources tailored to their needs, similar to Netflix’s personalized experience.
- Simplifying Campus Life: Higher ed apps must streamline access to services like advising, mental health, and student organizations to minimize stress and maximize engagement.
- Data-Informed Decision-Making: Analytics from student interactions can guide institutions to optimize services and improve retention rates.
- Seamless Integration: A centralized app reduces the need for multiple platforms, creating a unified experience for students while preserving departmental autonomy.
- Community-Centric Opportunities: Institutions can expand student engagement by fostering partnerships with local organizations and resources.
Episode Summary
The Power of a Student-Centric Mobile App
Cooper Jones describes Rara as a "community engagement system" designed to simplify the student journey. Unlike many higher ed apps that try to do everything, Rara narrows its focus to connecting students with the right resources, services, and opportunities.
By integrating with campus systems such as the Student Information System (SIS) and Learning Management System (LMS), the app learns individual preferences during onboarding. From there, it serves personalized recommendations for clubs, events, and support services, ensuring students feel seen and supported from day one.
Transforming Student Engagement Through Technology
Jones emphasizes the importance of discovery, allowing students to uncover campus offerings that align with their unique interests. Instead of overwhelming them with irrelevant options, Rara’s app uses AI-driven recommendations to present only the most relevant resources.
For example, rather than requiring students to navigate multiple websites to book appointments or find information, Rara consolidates these processes into a single, intuitive platform. This user-first approach fosters a stronger sense of belonging, which directly impacts retention and satisfaction.
Bridging the Gap Between Students and Resources
Higher education often assumes “if you build it, they will come,” but students need guidance to access the wealth of resources available. Jones explains how Rara tackles this challenge:
- Simplified Access: Students can find what they need in seconds, from mental health appointments to club sign-ups.
- Administrator-Friendly Management: Departments can easily update app content through a user-friendly CMS, eliminating reliance on overburdened IT teams.
- Actionable Data: Analytics dashboards provide administrators with insights into how resources are utilized, enabling data-driven decisions.
The Role of Community Partnerships
Jones also explores how higher ed institutions can engage beyond campus borders. For example, connecting students to local food pantries, career opportunities, and public resources creates a revolving door of support between the institution and its surrounding community. This holistic approach not only benefits students but also strengthens the institution’s reputation as a community anchor.
This episode is brought to you by RahRah- a Community Engagement system that provides a simple solution to give your students the inclusive and supportive experience they need to thrive. Rah Rah integrates your entire campus so students can enjoy a single, centralized, mobile experience that will help them create stronger connections between their work inside and outside of the classroom.
The Application is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jaime Hunt, Jeremy Tiers, Jaime Gleason and many more.
Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!
.svg)
.svg)
