It's extremely challenging and costly to build an in-house mobile donation platform, not only because of the technology, but also because of privacy and compliance issues. That's why most universities choose to work with providers that have it all figured out, says Caryn Stein, vice president of marketing at higher ed consulting firm Ruffalo Noel […]

While direct mail and phone remain strong methods of courting donors, advancement offices face the reality that younger alumni may not even have a landline or use a checkbook. More than 1 in 5 online donations were made on a mobile device in 2017, according to research from the Blackbaud Institute for Philanthropic Impact. In […]

Without vehicle fleets, many higher ed institutions would function in gridlock. Facilities technicians wouldn't be able to go out and make repairs, and police would have difficulty patrolling. "Fleet is a vital part of keeping an entire organization moving," says Carlos Berriz, Florida International University's fleet manager. Yet the realities in higher ed vary from […]

Yammer (free) Good for: Collaboration and communication Who’s using it: Penn State From event planning to website redesign, setting up Yammer networking groups to share ideas, get feedback and check in on the progress of projects can help large campuses stay connected. Trello (free) Good for: Tracking projects Who’s using it: The George Washington University […]

1. Set some ground rules. After introducing Slack, some users felt it was hard to cut through the clutter of irrelevant information, says Dominic Abbate, the creative director at The George Washington University. So they responded by setting up specific channels designated for non-work chit-chat like #food and #just-for-fun. 2. Listen to feedback. When Cherwell’s […]

We hear a lot about communication and collaboration technology in the classroom, but higher ed administrators are using apps and platforms behind the scenes as well—to help create efficiencies, increase productivity, and manage projects and workflow. Here's a look at how some institutions are making the most of productivity tools, both within and across departments. […]

The power of the admissions interview is, in context and value, unmatched by any other element of the enrollment process, says Jonathan Burdick of the University of Rochester. The meetings "add color to what is otherwise a black-and-white representation of a student, or add a third dimension to what is otherwise flat pieces of paper," […]

Determining the return on investment for virtual admissions interviews involves understanding the resources and when the technology will be used. At the University of Rochester, the commitment is bigger than most. One full-time employee and eight senior students have been hired and trained just to conduct Skype interviews during this admissions cycle, says Jonathan Burdick, […]