Written by: Hannah Bariteau
Head of Product, Raftr
In today’s ever-changing academic landscape, technology in higher education is not just a supporting tool – it is the foundation for how institutions operate, connect, and innovate. From virtual classrooms to data-driven decision-making, the role of high-end technology in higher education has expanded rapidly. For universities looking to enhance student life and streamline communication, implementing a college campus app like Raftr can be a transformative step.
But while it’s tempting to focus mostly on adoption and training, experienced administrators know that efficient implementation (i.e. what happens before, during, and after rollout) is just as critical. The reality is, implementation doesn’t need to be a long or painful process. With the right prep work, coordinated execution, and smart use of built-in administrative tools, it can be smooth, quick, and sustainable.
Explore how higher education administrators can approach the implementation of a new student engagement or campus experience platform. We’ll break it down into three stages: before, during, and after implementation; highlighting best practices and how Raftr’s admin-friendly design helps streamline the experience along the way.
Why Smooth Implementation Matters
Technology projects at colleges and universities come with unique challenges. Campuses are large organizations with distributed teams and varied student populations. When a new platform, like a student engagement or college campus app, is introduced, the logistics of rolling it out can easily become complex.
Why is it important for universities to have good technology, and to implement it efficiently?
- Student expectations: Students are digital natives who compare their campus tech with the best, seamless consumer apps.
- Institutional efficiency: Well-implemented systems reduce redundant effort, avoid confusion, and empower staff to focus on outcomes, not troubleshooting.
- Long-term adoption: A smooth launch sets the tone for trust and sustained usage among students and faculty.
In short, implementation is about more than “getting the technology up and running.” It signals the institution’s commitment to using the best college software and positions technology as a cornerstone of the future of higher education.
Before Implementation: Setting the Stage
Before the first line of code is integrated or the first user logs in, good preparation determines whether implementation will be efficient or chaotic. The “before” stage is all about planning and laying the groundwork.
1. Clearly Define Goals
A common pitfall is jumping straight to choosing a product or focusing on technical setup without knowing what success looks like.
Admins should first ask:
- What problems are we trying to solve?
- How does this techn advance student engagement/ communication?
- Which outcomes and metrics will define success post-rollout?
Aligning on these goals early drives mission-focused implementation decisions.
2. Engage the Right People
Many campus apps impact multiple departments, like:
- Student affairs
- IT
- Academic leadership
- Residential life
- Athletics, admissions,
- Alumni
All of whom must collaborate for a successful launch. Creating a cross-functional steering team early clarifies ownership of responsibilities and streamlines communication.
3. Clean Up Data & Structures
Data migration often stalls rollout timelines. Audit your existing groups, user data, events, and programs to ensure they’re accurate and current.
This step avoids bottlenecks and confusion once configuration begins.
4. Build an Implementation Timeline
Map out realistic milestones and deadlines with buffer time. Coordinate with your academic calendar, avoiding rollouts during peak stress periods like orientation or finals.
5. Plan for Integrations
Successful campus apps don’t operate in isolation. They must become an integral part of the institution’s existing digital ecosystem to ensure maximum efficiency and a unified experience for students and staff.
Early engagement with your IT teams is essential to plan for seamless integrations with core campus systems. This proactive step is crucial because integration delays often stall rollout timelines and complicate the user experience.
The most vital connections include:
- Student Information Systems (SIS)
- Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Event calendars
- Emergency alerts
This helps to ensure a unified student experience and smoother data flows.
6. Pre-Implementation with Raftr
Raftr is a mobile-first platform that is purpose-built for higher education, giving students a fast, intuitive experience right on their phones. Its multiple levels of administrative permissions – like community admins and content managers – map directly to campus roles, bringing clarity and reducing confusion for staff. The hierarchical organization (Rafts for cohorts, Channels for focused discussions, Events for activities) mirrors common campus structures and streamlines data migration.
Raftr’s support for integrating with core systems such as SIS and LMS ensures data stays in sync, powering a connected student experience.
Throughout pre-implementation, Raftr’s team collaborates closely to provide timeline estimates and reliably coordinate deadlines with academic calendars, supporting an efficient rollout.
During Implementation: Executing with Efficiency
Once planning is solidified, the “during” stage focuses on execution. Effective administrative tools and internal communication differentiate a seamless launch from a drawn-out process.
1. Configure Essentials First
Focus on quick wins that deliver immediate value:
- Coordinate integrations to ensure seamless transfer of user account and other relevant data.
- Enable single sign-on (SSO) to simplify user access.
- Set up core groups where students gather (residence halls, majors, clubs).
- Configure notifications and permissions properly to avoid confusion.
2. Pilot with Key Segments
A soft launch focusing on groups like orientation leaders or RAs allows real-time feedback to address issues before full rollout. Use data insights to identify gaps or friction points. It can also be helpful to enlist student ambassadors like these to support content generation and moderation that encourages an active and safe space – and soft launches provide the perfect opportunity for them to become familiar with a new platform.
3. Streamline Content Management
Manual entry of events and announcements can overwhelm staff. Leveraging integrations that pull in existing calendars or CSV imports automates content updates. These integrations reduce duplicate entry and keep the app lively and relevant.
4. Communicate Progress Internally
Keep the steering team updated on implementation milestones, using admin logs and reports to track what’s live and what’s pending. This maintains transparency and helps resolve bottlenecks quickly.
5. Implementing with Raftr
Raftr’s intuitive admin dashboards let teams set permissions, organize groups in bulk, manage notifications, and monitor engagement efficiently. Integration support for systems of record and content reduces management workload, accelerating time to go-live.
After Implementation: Cementing Long-Term Value
Launch day is a milestone, but implementation continues as administrators cement system stability and adaptability.
1. Monitor Early Analytics
Track usage metrics such as active users, event attendance, and engagement with key channels. Adapt engagement strategies, as needed, to increase retention and engagement.
2. Maintain Clean Structures
As campus users create new groups and content, review and prune these regularly. Leverage student ambassadors in keeping a pulse on these.
3. Incorporate Feedback Loops
Solicit ongoing input from students and staff using the platform daily. Review permissions, workflows, and integration effectiveness.
4. Prepare for Scaling
Student populations and engagement strategies evolve. Planning scalability upfront ensures sustained utility and responsiveness.
5. Post-Launch with Raftr
Raftr’s dashboards translate engagement data into accessible insights, enabling administrators to make timely adjustments and shape ongoing strategy. Tiered permissions keep Rafts and Channels well-organized, ensuring the platform remains streamlined and user-friendly. The system’s adaptable framework makes it easy to pilot improvements, respond to feedback, and expand as campus needs grow – while always maintaining strong administrative oversight.
Why Efficient Implementation Shapes the Future of Higher Education
Technology in higher education is foundational. Universities that excel don’t just select the best college apps – they implement with adaptability, minimal disruption, and accelerated value.
Smooth implementation benefits:
- Students perceive their campus as innovative and responsive.
- Administrators save time and resources, enabling focus on engagement rather than troubleshooting.
- Institutions project readiness for the future of higher education, blending digital and physical experiences seamlessly.
The message is clear: it’s not enough to merely procure high-end technology in higher education – you must implement it efficiently and thoughtfully. Strong planning, execution, and follow-up turn technology from a stressful obligation into a seamless facilitator.
Raftr’s Role in Streamlined Implementation
Raftr’s flexible admin roles, intuitive dashboards, and robust integrations ease administrative complexity for large campuses without heavy IT interventions. This balance of student-facing appeal and behind-the-scenes efficiency explains its selection as one of the best college apps by forward-thinking institutions.
Final Thoughts
For higher education administrators, the challenge goes beyond choosing the right technology to ensuring its smooth implementation. Following a clear before, during, and after framework prevents common pitfalls, accelerates rollout, and maximizes platform impact. Efficient implementation is an investment in students’ experiences, institutional reputation, and the long-term future of higher education. With the right roadmap and tools, getting there need not be complicated.