CUSTOMER STORY
Grand View University Reduces Emails by 90% with Pathify
MyGVU targets communications, simplifies tasks for students and staff and improves student engagement and overall satisfaction.
Quick Summary:
Grand View University (GVU) significantly reduced emails by 90% and improved communication by consolidating fragmented systems with Pathify’s Campus Experience Hub, MyGVU.
Pathify unified various outdated systems, including link farms and email distribution lists, into a single, customer-branded portal and mobile app, leading to a streamlined digital environment.
The implementation of MyGVU resulted in targeted communications, simplified task management for students and staff, and ultimately led to improved student engagement and overall satisfaction.
At Grand View University (GVU), a focus on hands-on, affordable learning has always been central to the student experience. However, this mission was undermined by inefficient and fragmented systems that left students feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. Students received thousands of emails every academic year and struggled to find resources and stay on track. Due to chaotic communications, students missed important deadlines, and staff spent valuable time chasing them down to complete crucial tasks.
reduction in student emails after Grand View consolidated communications into the Hub.
Fragmented Systems Became Barriers to Success
Outdated systems like a cumbersome link farm and unwieldy email distribution lists were clunky and difficult for students to navigate and staff to maintain. “Email chaos turned into an absolute nightmare for us. Managing inboxes became impossible, and important messages got lost in the noise,” said Kendall Dillon, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Grand View University. When the COVID-19 pandemic pushed schools into the digital world, GVU took a hard look at their existing systems, re-evaluating the way the institution communicated with students and supported staff.
Pathify Consolidated Tech Sprawl, Reduced Emails by 90%
Pathify’s Campus Experience Hub offered a comprehensive solution to the communication and system challenges at GVU. With its robust integration suite, Pathify unified the siloed systems at GVU, bringing tools and communications together into a customer-branded portal and mobile app called MyGVU. Pathify empowered GVU to eliminate redundant systems such as:
- Link farm
- Email distribution lists
- SharePoint intranet
- Homegrown directory
By consolidating communications into MyGVU, the school reduced emails to students by 90%, creating a clearer, more streamlined digital environment. “Pathify is so much more than an IT solution, it’s a student success solution. Students no longer struggle to find help because MyGVU brings everything together in one place,” said Dillon.
“Pathify is so much more than an IT solution, it’s a student success solution. Students no longer struggle to find help because MyGVU brings everything together in one place.”
Kendall Dillon
Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Grand View University
Targeted Communications to Engage and Support Students
Beginning with a holistic comms inventory, GVU overhauled their approach to student engagement, ensuring every message was sent to the right student, through the right channel, at the right time. “Pathify’s role-based communications enabled us to reduce emails and send more targeted, personalized messages to students. It addressed a myriad of problems with a single solution,” Dillon explained.
GVU serves a diverse student body with an array of needs. Leveraging the Communities module, GVU also created groups for various student personas, customizing support for their unique journeys. Within groups, students now introduce themselves, find events and discover resources — all in one place.
Simplified Task Management for Students and Staff
Before implementing MyGVU, students walked between on-campus offices looking for support or dropping off paper forms. Moving essential tasks into MyGVU transformed the way students navigate the business side of college. Pathify integrates with the university’s Student Information System (SIS) and all of higher ed’s most popular systems — without custom development work — so students see and complete important tasks, all from their dashboard.
Better Tools Kept Students On-Track, Saved Staff Time
After launching MyGVU, the business office reported that more students paid bills and met enrollment deadlines, overcoming barriers that often prevent them from progressing and graduating. “We have a diverse student body and a high percentage of first-gen college students. Navigating the business side of their education can be extremely challenging. Now, students have a clear list of tasks to complete, making it easier for them to stay on track,” Dillon said.
Higher rates of task completion also meant staff spent less time chasing students. Streamlining communications via Pathify saved time, and, more importantly, freed staff up to focus on human-centered work like coaching and advising students.
Improved Student and Staff Satisfaction
By consolidating systems and streamlining processes for staff and students, GVU moved from chaos and inefficiency to a streamlined system, investing in long-term staff and student satisfaction. “Students love the ability to find information and complete tasks from their phones,” Dillon emphasized. “Plus, it removes a large burden on staff and enables them to do the work they care about. Our campus community is happier and more engaged.” As institutions face the pressure to do more with less, Pathify provides a smooth, modern user experience for all. “Pathify listens to us and understands our needs. The high level of support and continuing innovation form the basis of a true partnership.”
About Grand View University:
Founded in 1896, Grand View University offers a high-quality education to a diverse student body in a career-oriented, liberal arts-grounded curriculum in Des Moines, Iowa, a metropolitan area of more than half a million people. Grand View offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees and welcomes traditional students and adult learners representing a wide range of religious and cultural backgrounds. Learning is an interactive process at Grand View — students engage in lively discussions, work on real-world projects, and participate in career-related work experiences. Grand View welcomes and supports students from all walks of life, geographies, religions and ethnicities. Learn more at grandview.edu.
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