Innovative Strategies to Boost Enrollment in Colleges

In the face of a rapidly changing landscape in higher education, colleges and universities are constantly searching for new and innovative strategies to attract and retain students. From demographic shifts and rising educational costs to the growing importance of technology and online learning, institutions must adapt in order to stay competitive and increase enrollment. In this article, we will explore several cutting-edge strategies that can help colleges increase their student numbers and thrive in today’s challenging environment.

Embracing Technology to Boost Enrollment in Colleges

Virtual Tours and Augmented Reality

The power of technology has expanded opportunities for engagement with prospective students. Virtual tours using 360-degree photography or augmented reality (AR) can provide interactive experiences for those who are unable to visit campuses in person. This strategy not only showcases the college’s facilities but also demonstrates its commitment to embracing modern technology.

Online Learning Platforms

Expanding online learning options can attract students who require flexibility due to work or family commitments. Robust online platforms that offer a variety of courses and degree programs cater to a broader audience, including international students and lifelong learners.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Personalization

Utilizing AI to personalize the application and enrollment process can dramatically enhance the student experience. Chatbots and AI-driven interfaces can guide prospective students through application steps, provide instant responses to queries, and create personalized course recommendations.

Strategic Partnerships

Collaborations with Industry

Developing partnerships with businesses and industries allows colleges to design programs that align with current job market demands. Such collaborations can result in internships, sponsorships, and job placements, making these institutions more attractive to career-focused students.

Community Engagement

Working closely with local communities can create pathways to boost enrollment in colleges. Programs that involve community members in campus events or adult education classes foster a sense of involvement and encourage locals to consider further education.

Alumni Networks to Help Boost Enrollment in Colleges

Leveraging alumni networks is a resourceful way to increase enrollment. Alumni can act as ambassadors, sharing their positive experiences and providing mentorship to prospective students. Additionally, they can assist with internships or employment opportunities after graduation. Click here to look into options to form a strategic partnership with Solidan and improve your enrollment.

Marketing and Digital Outreach

Social Media Engagement

Social media platforms are powerful tools for reaching potential students. Engaging content, success stories, and interactive sessions on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn can make an institution more relatable and accessible.

Data Analytics

Adopting data analytics enables institutions wanting to boost enrollment to better understand their target audiences and tailor marketing efforts accordingly. By analyzing trends and monitoring engagement, colleges can optimize their outreach strategies to effectively attract the right students.

SEO Optimization

Ensuring that a college’s website and online content are optimized for search engines increases visibility and attracts more visitors. Utilizing SEO best practices helps prospective students discover institutions looking to boost enrollment through organic search.

Holistic Admission Policies

Test-Optional Admissions

Implementing test-optional admissions policies can remove barriers for students who may not perform well on standardized tests but have other strong qualifications. This approach can diversify the student body and appeal to a wider range of applicants.

Portfolio-Based Assessments

Allowing students to submit portfolios or project-based work provides a more comprehensive view of their capabilities beyond grades and test scores. Such assessments can demonstrate creativity, critical thinking, and real-world skills.

Financial Incentives and Support

Scholarships and Grants

One very effective way to boost enrollment in colleges is to offer a range of scholarships and financial grants to help alleviate the burden of tuition costs. Targeted scholarships for underserved communities, academic merit, or specific fields of study can attract diverse groups of students.

Payment Plans and Financial Education

Providing flexible payment options and financial education helps demystify the cost of college. Institutions that educate prospective students about financial planning and loan management are often seen as more supportive and attractive.

Enhancing the Student Experience

First-Year Experience Programs

Developing comprehensive first-year experience programs supports new students as they transition into college life. Programs that focus on academic success, social integration, and mental health resources improve retention rates and overall satisfaction.

Campus Facilities and Amenities

Investing in state-of-the-art facilities, such as modern libraries, sports complexes, and student centers, makes a campus more appealing. Enhanced amenities contribute to a vibrant student life, which is a significant draw for prospective students. Click here to look into ways Solidan can help you improve your enrollment process.

Conclusion

Strategizing to boost enrollment in colleges requires a multifaceted approach that combines technology, strategic partnerships, effective marketing, innovative admission policies, financial support, and a commitment to an exceptional student experience. By implementing these innovative strategies, colleges can not only attract a larger number of applicants but also ensure that their student body is diverse, engaged, and equipped for success in the ever-changing world. As the higher education sector evolves, it is crucial for institutions to remain adaptable and forward-thinking in their quest to enroll and educate the leaders of tomorrow.

Slate Health Check: Mercy College

Slate Health Check: Mercy College MERCY COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES While Mercy College has successfully implemented Slate as its admissions and recruitment CRM, several key enrollment processes continue to rely on manual workflows, spreadsheets, paper-based tracking, and limited integration with Colleague. These operational dependencies have resulted in fragmented processes, duplicated data entry, and reduced visibility across the enrollment lifecycle, limiting the institution’s ability to fully leverage its Slate investment. CHALLENGE: While Mercy College has successfully implemented Slate as its admissions and recruitment CRM, several key enrollment processes continue to rely on manual workflows, spreadsheets, paper-based tracking, and limited integration with Colleague. These operational dependencies have resulted in fragmented processes, duplicated data entry, and reduced visibility across the enrollment lifecycle, limiting the institution’s ability to fully leverage its Slate investment. SOLUTION: To better understand these challenges and identify opportunities for improvement, Solidan conducted a comprehensive Slate Health Check focused on system configuration, operational workflows, and platform utilization. The engagement included stakeholder interviews, system analysis, and collaborative working sessions with Mercy’s internal Slate leadership team. Rather than focusing solely on technical configuration, the review emphasized how Slate was being used in practice, where manual processes persisted, and where staffing and integration constraints were impacting operational efficiency. The Health Check revealed that while Mercy College has established a solid foundational use of Slate, there are significant opportunities to expand adoption and improve efficiency across several key areas. Key themes included process fragmentation driven by continued reliance on spreadsheets and manual tracking, underutilization of core Slate functionality such as automation, Reader, and Workflow tools, integration gaps between Slate and Colleague that contributed to duplicate data entry and limited visibility, and reporting constraints driven by manual data compilation and external tools. These findings highlighted both operational risk and significant opportunity to improve efficiency through deeper platform adoption. Following the assessment, Solidan worked closely with Mercy College stakeholders to prioritize findings based on operational impact, implementation feasibility, and institutional capacity. This prioritization ensured focus on the highest-risk and highest-impact opportunities, particularly those related to reducing manual effort, improving workflow efficiency, and strengthening system integration. Staffing constraints were also considered throughout, resulting in recommendations designed to balance quick wins with longer-term optimization opportunities. What began as a structured Health Check evolved into an ongoing support partnership, as Mercy College engaged Solidan to help translate findings into actionable improvements and phased implementation planning. This transition ensured the engagement moved beyond assessment into execution support, enabling continuous progress against the identified roadmap. Ongoing efforts have focused on expanding automation within admissions workflows, reducing reliance on manual and spreadsheet-based processes, improving Slate–Colleague alignment, and supporting staff adoption of underutilized Slate functionality. “We could not be more pleased with the level of customer service and expertise we have received from Solidan. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to enhance our own team’s operations as well as the student experience!” Katelyn Schmitt – Director of Enrollment Management RESULTS: The Health Check produced a detailed, module-based findings report covering areas such as Applications, Deliver, Events, Reader, and others. Each module included a structured evaluation of current-state usage, identified gaps, and prioritized recommendations designed to improve efficiency and reduce operational risk. More importantly, the findings provided Mercy College with a clear roadmap for decision-making and a foundation for strengthening its Slate environment in support of enrollment objectives. Since the completion of the Health Check, Mercy College has already begun implementing early-phase improvements focused on workflow optimization and reduction of manual processing. These initial enhancements demonstrate early value from the recommendations and have helped reduce operational friction in key admissions processes, with additional improvements progressing through the ongoing support model.

Depaul Communication Transformation: Leveraging Slate for Student Engagement

Depaul Communication Transformation: Leveraging Slate for Student Engagement DEPAUL’S KELLSTADT GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business (KGSB) is the graduate business school of DePaul University in Chicago. It’s part of the Driehaus College of Business, one of the ten oldest business schools in the U.S., and is AACSB-accredited—an elite standard held by fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide. KGSB offers MBA and specialized master’s programs designed to develop practical business skills and leadership, with flexible formats including full-time, part-time, and online options. Its Chicago location and strong industry connections help students build professional networks and real-world experience. CHALLENGE: Previously, KGSB relied on a single population for all inquiries, which limited audience segmentation and the ability to deliver targeted, program-specific messaging. Campaigns required frequent manual updates, including regularly turning mailings on and off to adjust recipient lists, creating a high maintenance burden and increasing the risk of errors. Additionally, Slate Deliver functionality was not used in alignment with best practices, such as dynamic populations, standardized templates, and reusable content blocks, which constrained scalability and long-term sustainability. SOLUTION: Expand KGSB mailing campaigns by establishing one dedicated inquiry campaign per program to deliver more customized, major-specific content aligned with prospective students’ academic and career interests. This structure allows for clearer program differentiation and more precise audience segmentation, ensuring communications are relevant and reflective of each program’s unique value proposition. The approach leverages a scalable, modular campaign framework that incorporates shared templates, reusable content blocks, translation codes, and standardized logic. Together, these elements create a sustainable foundation that promotes consistency, reduces manual maintenance, and supports future program growth and evolving messaging needs. “The Solidan team was great to work with. We would solve problems in real time and when needed additional staffing, resources were added to the project. Overall, everything moved efficiently and we met our deadline.” -Garry Cooke, Director of Recruitment and Admission Kellstadt Graduate School of Business DePaul University RESULTS: As a result, KGSB implemented a more streamlined and scalable campaign structure. This included the creation of program-specific inquiry campaigns paired with shared yield campaigns to balance personalization with efficiency. Translation codes were introduced to standardize program names, headers, and subject lines across communications, improving consistency and reducing maintenance. In addition, opportunities to improve campaign management processes and clarify staff assignments were identified, supporting more efficient ongoing operations.

UMass Canvas-to-PeopleSoft Grade Import Integration

UMass Canvas-to-PeopleSoft Grade Import Integration THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS UNIVERSITY SYSTEM Solidan partnered with the University of Massachusetts System to implement a robust integration between Canvas (LMS) and PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, streamlining the import of midterm and final grades. The solution delivers dual-mode functionality, supporting both real-time API-based grade transfers and fallback file upload capabilities. CHALLENGE: The UMass system faced persistent challenges in efficiently transferring grades from Canvas into PeopleSoft. Faculty encountered limitations with self-service grade imports due to: Inconsistent system behavior Complex grading scenarios Limited integration capabilities Without real-time connectivity between Canvas and PeopleSoft, institutions relied on manual workarounds, which led to delays, errors, and added pressure during high-volume grading periods. Furthermore, administrative staff lacked a reliable method to intervene when faculty-facing tools failed—creating bottlenecks and putting grade data integrity at risk. SOLUTION: To resolve these issues, Solidan designed and delivered a dual-mode grade import solution that: Seamlessly integrates Canvas with PeopleSoft Campus Solutions Leverages Boomi middleware to enable real-time, API-based grade transfers Incorporates a file upload fallback using PeopleSoft’s delivered grade import functionality This flexible and resilient approach ensures faculty and administrators can successfully submit grades, even in complex or constrained scenarios. Key Features Delivered: API-Based Integration: Real-time grade imports from Canvas to PeopleSoft using the Canvas API and Boomi middleware Boomi Data Translation Layer: Automated mapping and transformation of Canvas exports into PeopleSoft-ready formats File Import Fallback: Enables administrative users to upload grade files when API import is unavailable or inapplicable Administrative Upload Support: Staff can submit grades on behalf of faculty for exceptional cases or complex course setups Two-Way Import Pathways: Supports both self-service (faculty) and administrative-grade submission workflows “Working with Solidan on this or any project is amazing. Solidan brings both technical and functional expertise that improved the deliverables as well as speeding up the time to completion. Responsive, knowledgeable and quick – We couldn’t be more satisfied and we look forward to future projects.” -Rebecca Forest, Applications Manager Campus Community, Admissions, Academics and Records Support, University of Massachusetts System KEY FEATURES DELIVERED: API-Based Integration: Real-time grade imports from Canvas to PeopleSoft using the Canvas API and Boomi middleware Boomi Data Translation Layer: Automated mapping and transformation of Canvas exports into PeopleSoft-ready formats File Import Fallback: Enables administrative users to upload grade files when API import is unavailable or inapplicable Administrative Upload Support: Staff can submit grades on behalf of faculty for exceptional cases or complex course setups Two-Way Import Pathways: Supports both self-service (faculty) and administrative-grade submission workflows RESULTS: With Solidan’s support, the UMass system now benefits from a scalable, efficient, and user-friendly solution for grade imports. The integration ensures academic deadlines are met while reducing manual workload and increasing confidence in data integrity. Streamlined the faculty experience through direct, self-service grade imports Ensured consistent grade processing via dual-mode (API and file) functionality Empowered administrative users to intervene when faculty access was limited Minimized grading delays during peak submission periods Improved data accuracy through Boomi-powered transformation and validation Increased user satisfaction and reduced support burden during midterm and final grade windows

Hutchinson Community College Slate Health Check

Hutchinson Community College Slate Health Check HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) is a public two-year institution located in Hutchinson, Kansas, offering more than 70 academic and 50 technical programs leading to associate degrees and certificates. Founded in 1928, the college serves a diverse student population and supports a vibrant campus life, including competitive NJCAA athletics CHALLENGE: Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) recently implemented Slate to support a wide range of enrollment functions, from inquiry management and application review to event management and communications. While the initial setup was completed with support from another external vendor, ongoing management has been maintained by a single internal lead. Recognizing the limitations of this approach and the underutilization of Slate’s full capabilities, HutchCC engaged Solidan’s team of Slate experts to conduct a comprehensive system audit. The goal was to identify key risks, uncover gaps in usage, and provide strategic recommendations to help the college maximize the value of their investment in Slate while aligning with institutional goals and operational capacity. SOLUTION: To support Hutchinson Community College in maximizing the effectiveness of their Slate CRM investment, our team conducted a comprehensive system Health Check designed to evaluate both technical configuration and business process alignment. The approach combined two key strategies: a thorough back-end system review and a series of stakeholder interviews with Admissions staff to better understand current workflows, challenges, and goals. The assessment focused on identifying risks, inefficiencies, and areas of opportunity across core components of the Slate instance, including Applications, Reader & Workflows, Deliver/Communications, Events & Scheduler, Forms, Inbox, Imports/Exports, Rules & Automations, Queries/Reports, Permissions, and general database configuration. Each area was evaluated with attention to scalability, accuracy, usability, and alignment with institutional strategy. Our methodology involved four key phases: 1. Discovery & Interviews – Conducted targeted discussions with key Admissions stakeholders to map current-state processes and pain points. 2. System Analysis – Performed an in-depth review of HutchCC’s Slate configuration and usage, identifying redundancies, gaps, and potential risks. 3. Findings & Recommendations – Compiled a detailed set of findings highlighting strengths, underutilized features, and areas needing attention. 4. Prioritization & Roadmapping – Collaboratively identified priority areas based on institutional goals, resource constraints, and technical dependencies. Throughout the process, we partnered closely with HutchCC’s internal Slate lead, whose institutional knowledge was instrumental in guiding the evaluation. While limited staffing presented a challenge, it also shaped our focus toward sustainable, high-impact recommendations that could be executed with existing resources or scaled over time. Our Health Check not only delivered a clear snapshot of current-state usage but also laid the groundwork for data-informed decision-making, improved operational efficiency, and more strategic use of Slate going forward. “Collaborating with Solidan on our Slate instance has been a very positive and productive experience. The recent health check provided valuable insights that are already informing our next steps and helping us identify areas for improvement. Their team has been incredibly responsive, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. We are excited to continue building a more streamlined and efficient system with their support.” -Brea Turner, MBA, Executive Director of Enrollment Management -Bianca Kunzinger, CRM & Project Coordinator RESULTS: The Slate Health Check resulted in a comprehensive findings document, organized by module (e.g., Applications, Deliver, Events, Reader, etc.). Within each module, we provided a detailed, line-by-line assessment of key focus areas, identifying what was working well, where improvements maybe needed, and any areas of potential risk. For each item, Solidan included specific, recommendations along with suggested priority levels. HutchCC is now able to use the information from the Health Check alongside other identified initiatives to prioritize next steps and continue optimizing their Slate instance in support of their enrollment goals.