The path for college students is as varied and unique as each individual learner. From academic highs and lows to community and campus participation along with other details that make up the student experience, colleges need to stay in touch with where students are along their journey.  

For marketers who have the time and resources to implement this longer process, student life cycle management is an extremely effective way to keep students engaged. 

Keep reading to discover how student lifecycle management systems can solve some of your greatest retention challenges and improve your processes once and for all. 

The higher education student lifecycle encompasses important milestones in a student’s journey, from the time they inquire until when they graduate. Many industry leaders refer to the student lifecycle as a curved, ever-changing path. 

For college leaders, one important goal is to meet the needs of students’ along this road. To do so effectively, campus leadership must have the right student data infrastructure for student lifecycle improvement and maintain strong, healthy relationships with prospective and current students alike. 

Student lifecycle management is one way to automate and fill in the gaps along the pathway to student success. Whether that takes the form of custom, personalized content or in-person resources, managing student needs and expectations is critical for retention. In practice, strong lifecycle management looks like:

Having a deep sense of what students need and expect 

Intuitively delivering resources and information in a timely fashion

Predicting the milestones that students will encounter at crucial points

Lifecycle management is also a data-driven process. As such, it has a prominent place in every aspect of the college journey, from initial admission to contact as a graduate or alumni. Colleges and universities can rely on this process to inform many other metrics or goals. 

What is a Student Lifecycle Management System?

A student lifecycle management system (SLM) is a software solution that uses organized data analytics to measure student lifecycle and to improve key points along the student journey. It also helps schools better manage relationships with students by offering value at predictable intervals. 

Many separate university or college departments can leverage a student lifecycle management system at one time. This improves collaboration and information-sharing between teams such as:

Depending on the type or level of SLM that a school chooses, leaders can access important data to improve learning outcomes, increase student retention, and boost access to university technology and support services.  

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Perhaps you’ve witnessed firsthand how your college struggles to stay in touch with students between each year they’re enrolled. Or maybe you’re looking for a more streamlined way to bridge the gap between graduation and alumni connection. Regardless of your particular use cases, SLM solutions offer a variety of benefits.

Real-time data. SLMs offer real-time data about new student enrollments, requests, concerns, and status updates. By equipping your staff with what’s really going on, they can serve students better, reduce disenrollment risk, and understand what should happen next. 


Predictive communication methods. Relating to students in effective ways always includes knowing where and how they spend time. Delivering content in flexible email, mobile, or social media formats can be the best way to see students to their next step.


Automation of standard queries. Although students are likely to have plenty of questions, not every answer impacts their long-term journey. Automation features can handle the more simple or tedious requests, freeing up time and resources for deeper connections along the way. 

How to Choose the Right Student Lifecycle Management Software

When selecting the student lifecycle management system that works best for your school’s needs, consider:

Available budget for new tools and more resources

Size and growth potential of the student body

Current pain points in the student lifecycle at your institution

Access and administrative control for different departments

A student lifecycle management platform has the potential to change and improve the way that you relate to your student body. As a result, you should opt for a solution only after you’ve researched, vetted, and explored different options. 

Student Engagement Software and Your Lifecycle Management Solution

If you’re looking to make smart software decisions for your college or university, remember that student engagement solutions should be at the forefront. Avoid platforms that provide raw data without any feasible way to take decisive action for the future.

When it comes to managing the student lifecycle at your higher education institution, always consider how your SLM of choice can help you:

Create longer-lasting relationships with students

Provide mobile friendly pathways to distribute information

Deliver personalized messages at precisely the right moments

Remove barriers and obstacles to admissions and enrollment

Stay connected with students past graduation and beyond

Want to enroll more students? You need software made specifically for your needs. Check out our step-by-step guide on what to look for when choosing higher ed marketing and enrollment software.

Manage Your Student Lifecycle Concerns — Hassle Free

A student engagement platform like Element451 offers a “one stop shop” approach to lifecycle management and student success. When you improve visibility to important student data, you boost your chances of serving students when they need extra support.

Book your Element451 demo today to see how a student engagement platform can give you the tools you need to help modern students along their journey.

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