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Importance of student experience highlighted at EDUCAUSE 2019

from Unit4 Communications October 16, 2019 | 2 min read

Today’s students expect a seamless digital experience.

However, many Higher Education institutions are not able to deliver that. In a recent survey, 73 percent of students recommend their university review and change its digital strategy. Forty-seven percent expect student administration to be easier to manage given the fees they pay.

While Higher Education institutions can shell out for flashy student-facing tech, there are other ways to boost the student experience. In Chicago today at the EDUCAUSE annual conference, we hosted a panel session, “A Boring Back-Office Transformation’s Effect on the Student Experience.”

Unit4’s Austin Laird, Product Director Higher Education, discussed how upgrades of enterprise and student systems change the student experience with Linda Feng, Unicon, Inc. software architect; Keith Fowlkes, vice president, Technology, E&I Cooperative Services; and Vaugh Ravenscroft, vice president, Strategy & CIO, Bow Valley College. They discussed planning for strategic digital transformation and how the back office affects students as well as staff. The panel also discussed what the future may hold and how Higher Education institutions can adapt.

It seems appropriate that this year’s EDUCAUSE annual conference was held in Chicago – the Windy City. The winds of change are blowing in Higher Education. We heard often during the event about the challenges institutions are facing and how they affect the student experience. Universities and colleges have tough decisions ahead. More Higher Education institutions are having “serious talks” about merging with others and in one survey, more than a quarter of respondents said they have considered consolidating programs or services. All of this, of course, affects the student experience.

EDUCAUSE brings together professionals and technology providers to network, share ideas, and try to work out solutions for better education journeys. We’re always excited to attend and proud to be a Gold Partner.

We’re thrilled to have met and talked to so many people this year - and to have given away some smartwatches. Digital transformation is really happening for institutions now and lessons are being learned along the way. The promise of new student experiences is becoming a reality.