It is 2021 and we are in an App world. Apps give us access to multi-faceted information, help us manage schedules, communicate with teams, choose and obtain the best product, connect with friends, make travel plans and so much more. Apps have not only become a way of life, but they have also created new customer-centric beginnings, opening up a global world through accessibility, flexibility, and simplicity.
It is a small wonder that savvy, connected Millennials use mobile technology for most of their communications, downloading apps to fit every requirement in their lives- shopping, news, navigation, social, and, of course, utilities.
The adoption of Mobile Technology for Student Engagement has skyrocketed in the Higher-Ed scene, with over 20000 Education-related apps available to download. Student-centric institutions are embracing this movement, integrating mobile technology into their student communication platforms.
There is no room for laggards in this area, with over 75% of the global student population using their smartphones to get all their necessary information, discarding or at best delaying exploring mobile-unfriendly data/services/options.
Colleges that are still treading water in this area will simply be left behind by the trailblazers who will sweep up students with them.
So what should you do, if you are a Higher-Ed provider?
The answer is simple – Get on board! Explore how easy it can be to integrate Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) tools and Mobile Technology and move into individualized, persona-based omnichannel communications with your student customers.
Here are some ways Higher Ed institutions can communicate using mobile technology:
Broadcasting:
This is one-to-many communication, where important messages can be broadcasted instantly and effectively to constituents.
For example, communicating to students about the impending danger of potential, unanticipated hazard is not only highly urgent and important but also an imperative. Mobile technology can be used to issue instructions to all, as necessary, immediately and effectively in this case and many others requiring quick dissemination of information requiring ensuing action.
Submissions:
Facilitating many-to-one communication enables students to submit forms or documents based on requirements from academic institutions to process service requests as for enrollment processes. The ability to return necessary documentation back to colleges in a timely manner using mobiles simply makes life easier for time-poor students on the move. This is but one example of how well information from students can be garnered by colleges using mobile technology.
Interactions:
Mobile Technology facilitates two-way communication such as chats and live support, forums for open discussions, closed community interactions, alumni partnerships, and more. By creating an experience for future, current, and past students second to none, mobile technology makes it easy for relationships to continue and prosper for the benefit of all concerned, not to mention the clear ROI for Higher Ed institutions through increased enrollment and retention rates.
How important are student mobile apps to the students who use them? This article was written by Elizabeth Stolze, a freshman at the University of Michigan describes how a student mobile app helped her through the difficult process of getting oriented at a very large institution. The mobile app allowed her to navigate campus with ease and get instant updates on welcome week activities. Since then, the app has helped her to stay informed about food, building hours, academics, events, maps/navigation, and much more. This is a great example of why today’s students have become known as “Generation App”.
Contact us to understand how your institution’s mobile app can spearhead growth in your student enrollment and retention numbers.
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