In today's fast-paced digital landscape, targeted and personalized communication is crucial for nurturing meaningful relationships with students and guiding them toward success throughout their academic journey. Blinn College, a leading institution, embarked on a mission to enhance student engagement and overcome recruitment challenges by implementing Element451 as its CRM platform. 

At a recent TACCM (Texas Association of Community College Marketers) Conference, our own Chief Revenue Officer, Dean Hanson, accompanied with Erin May, assistant registrar at Blinn College, dove into Blinn’s successful implementation of Element451, highlighting key features, improvements in staff efficiency, and the impressive statistics that underscore the impact of their strategic approach.

And that’s not all — the results speak for themselves: a 10% increase in enrollment and a remarkable 33% decrease in dropouts.

Get the Slides

Streamlining Communication with Element451

Blinn College faced the challenge of consolidating various tools and fragmented software solutions. With the implementation of Element451, the college achieved a unified platform that streamlined communication channels. 

The most loved features of Element451, such as multi-channel communications, unlimited texting, automated email workflows, integrated events module, and seamless integrations with Banner (Ellucian), resolved the inefficiencies caused by multiple disparate systems. 

This consolidation increased staff efficiency and improved engagement among prospects and current students.

Optimizing the Admissions Process

Blinn College aimed to optimize their recruitment process and foster meaningful relationships with prospective students. 

Element451's smart segmentation allowed for efficient assignment of students to specific recruiters based on territories and selected factors. This approach ensured effective tracking of communications, enabling students to connect with the appropriate recruiter assigned to their region. 

Additionally, Element451's person profiles provided counselors with a comprehensive view of each student, eliminating confusion and the need for students to contact multiple individuals. 

The college also utilized Element451's Events module to drive campus visits and group gatherings, simplifying data collection processes.

Boosting Staff Efficiency and Effectiveness

Element451's flexible communication tools, particularly Conversations, significantly reduced the time spent on campaign preparation. Blinn College achieved a remarkable 75% reduction in time spent on communication preparation, empowering staff members to allocate their time more strategically. 

Since implementation, the college has sent nearly 1 million emails and 663,280 text messages. With 35 active workflows reaching nearly 30,000 students, Blinn College's staff can focus on other crucial tasks, enhancing their overall effectiveness.

Impressive Results: Increased Enrollment and Decreased Dropouts

Blinn College's commitment to personalized communication and targeted workflows yielded remarkable outcomes. 

The implementation of Element451 contributed to a 10% increase in enrollment since its adoption. 

The college also successfully addressed the challenge of student dropouts for nonpayment through timely and targeted communication. Automated and triggered workflows provided students with essential information and support regarding payment deadlines and options, resulting in an average 33% decrease in dropouts.

Fast Implementation and Customized Support

Blinn College recognized the urgency to implement unlimited texting capabilities, and Element451's impressive six to eight-week timeline and IT-friendly, no-code approach allowed for a swift integration. 

The CRM platform's robust customer support played a vital role during implementation, ensuring a smooth transition and providing tailored assistance. Blinn College's experience highlights the importance of personalized support, customization, and guidance in maximizing the benefits of CRM software.

Looking Ahead with AI-powered Offerings

With the positive returns on their investment, Blinn College is now preparing to implement Element451's artificial intelligence (AI) offerings, including BoltBot, a 24/7 AI-powered chatbot, and Bolt Copilot, a generative AI copywriting tool throughout the CRM. These cutting-edge AI technologies will further enhance Blinn College's personalized approach to student engagement and open up new avenues for efficient communication.

Through streamlined communication, optimized admissions processes, and improved staff efficiency, Blinn College has set a benchmark for personalized student engagement in higher education.

 As institutions seek to enhance multi-channel engagement efforts, Blinn College's journey provides valuable insights that can elevate student success and institutional outcomes across the board.