Written by: Dr. Carrie Ponikvar
Head of Client Success, Raftr
Unlocking the Full Potential of Campus Apps
Universities around the globe are turning to campus apps to enhance student engagement, simplify communication, and improve the overall campus experience. However, creating an app is just the beginning. To truly maximize student engagement through campus apps, institutions must focus on strategy, support, and continuous improvement.
This is where a Client Success team becomes essential. By partnering with a Client Success team, universities can ensure their campus apps are fully adopted, continuously evolve with their needs, and deliver measurable results.
But what exactly does a Client Success team do? And why is this collaboration critical to unlocking the full potential of student engagement?
How Client Success Maximizes Campus App Engagement
A Client Success team isn’t just a technical helpdesk—it’s a strategic partner that helps universities leverage their campus apps to foster meaningful student engagement. Here’s how these teams support institutions at every stage of the app lifecycle:
1. Strategic Onboarding & Implementation
The Challenge: Many universities face low app adoption rates because students, faculty, and staff don’t fully understand how to use the platform effectively.
How Client Success Helps:
- Tailored Rollout Plans: Custom implementation strategies designed to meet each university’s specific goals.
- Engagement Training: Comprehensive training for administrators, faculty, and student leaders to encourage widespread adoption.
- Launch Playbooks: Proven best practices for driving awareness and engagement during the critical first 90 days.
The Impact: Universities that prioritize strategic onboarding see a 30-40% increase in student engagement during the first year compared to those with unstructured rollouts.
At Raftr, we specialize in creating tailored rollout plans that ensure seamless adoption and long-term success for campus apps.
2. Continuous Optimization & Data-Driven Insights
The Challenge: Even the most robust campus apps can lose their impact over time if institutions don’t actively monitor and refine their engagement strategies.
How Client Success Helps:
- Usage Analytics: Ongoing reporting on student interactions, feature usage, and engagement trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Quarterly Strategy Sessions: Regular meetings with university stakeholders to review app performance and adjust strategies.
- A/B Testing: Experimentation with different outreach methods to determine what resonates most with students.
The Impact: Institutions that utilize continuous optimization report 50% more student interactions and higher retention rates year over year.
By offering real-time insights and actionable recommendations, Raftr helps universities create an evolving engagement strategy that keeps students connected and engaged.
3. Proactive Support & Problem Solving
The Challenge: Without consistent support, universities risk low adoption rates or technical challenges that hinder app success.
How Client Success Helps:
- Dedicated Support Managers: Experts who understand the university’s unique goals and challenges.
- Knowledge Resources: Self-service guides and direct access to technical support.
- Regular Check-Ins: Proactive outreach to identify and address potential engagement barriers before they escalate.
The Impact: Universities with strong Client Success partnerships reduce support ticket volume by 30% and resolve issues faster, creating a seamless experience for students and staff.
Raftr’s hands-on guidance ensures that institutions can quickly overcome challenges and maintain high levels of engagement.
4. Customization & Feature Expansion
The Challenge: A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work in higher education. Universities need apps that are tailored to meet their students’ specific needs.
How Client Success Helps:
- Custom Recommendations: Insights into which features and integrations will best support student engagement.
- Personalized Content Strategies: Assistance in crafting targeted push notifications, announcements, and outreach campaigns.
- Beta Testing Opportunities: Early access to new features, allowing universities to shape the platform to better meet their needs.
The Impact: Universities that collaborate on app customization see significant increases in student satisfaction and engagement.
With Raftr, institutions can create personalized experiences that resonate with their students, ensuring that campus apps remain valuable tools for connection and communication.
Why a Strong Client Success Partnership Matters
Campus apps are more than just tools—they’re integral to the student experience. Universities that view Client Success teams as extensions of their own staff gain a competitive advantage, unlocking the full potential of their digital investment.
Here’s why this partnership is essential:
- Aligns app functionality with institutional goals like student retention, belonging, and communication.
- Creates a culture of engagement by making the app a central resource for students.
- Ensures long-term success by continuously evolving the platform to meet changing campus needs.
How Universities Can Start Maximizing Engagement Today
To fully maximize student engagement through campus apps, universities can take these practical steps right away:
- Engage Early: Involve the Client Success team in strategic discussions from the start—not just technical troubleshooting.
- Define KPIs: Set clear goals and metrics to measure the app’s success in driving engagement.
- Empower Student Ambassadors: Leverage peer-driven outreach to encourage app adoption and build a stronger campus community.
Transforming Campus Engagement Through Collaboration
Maximizing student engagement through campus apps requires more than just technology—it demands collaboration, strategy, and continuous improvement. Universities that actively partner with their Client Success teams see higher app adoption rates, stronger student interactions, and more impactful digital experiences.
At Raftr, we believe in co-creating success with our university partners. From strategic onboarding to ongoing optimization, we provide the tools and expertise needed to transform campus life. Together, we can help institutions achieve measurable improvements in student engagement and retention.
Ready to Maximize Student Engagement?
Discover how Raftr’s Client Success team can help your institution get the most out of its campus app. Contact us today to learn more.