Transcript Customizing Connect - Hobsons University

Customizing Connect
For Beginners: Graduate School Edition
Presented by Marcus Hanscom
Assistant Director, Graduate Admissions
Who We Are
• Small, private
comprehensive institution
• A leader in Experiential
Education
• Total Enrollments:
Approximately 5,000
– Graduate: Approx. 1,600
• Located in West Haven, CT
Where We Started
• Cumbersome software
• No user independence
• Lack of a customizable
interface
• No “ad-hoc” reporting
• No communication plan
automation
Challenges
• Multiple campus databases
• Managing all adult students
(undergrad, grad, cohort)
on one interface
• Different “learning curves”
• Reinventing the wheel for
communications plans
Questions to Ask
• Who will be using Connect?
• What information is important to whom
and how should it be presented?
• What types of data attributes are
needed?
• What is needed to satisfy our
communications needs?
Determining Connect Users
& Customizing Views to Specific Needs
• Users: Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar,
Bursar, Program Coordinators/Advisors, Deans,
Support Staff, Graduate Assistants…
• Needs: Student data management, “folder
management,” follow-up mechanisms and
control, communications monitoring…
Key Tip
Avoid too many views
(And avoid overfilling)
What Information is Necessary
and Who Needs It?
• Different constituents=different needs
• “If I don’t need it, don’t let me see it”
• Don’t be afraid to ASK
Remember…If you build it…
Regardless of how little or how much data, use
views to separate functions, roles, & needs
Keeping it Organized
• Group “like” attributes together:
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–
–
–
Admissions needs
Biographical needs
Processing dates
Test Scores
• Follow the “above the fold” rule
Biographical
Admissions Processing
Test Scores
Key Tip
Keep it organized
Why is it all important?
•
•
•
•
Streamlining the process
More efficient workflow
Eliminate the “unnecessary”
Increase communications control and
ability to customize
• Better versatility in reporting functions
Types of Data Attributes
• Free-form text
– Names, addresses, notes…
• Dates
– Chronicle critical actions, drive
reports/communications…
• Pull-down menus
– Long lists
• Checklist/Radio Selection lists
– Short lists, “Multi-Select”
• Free-form number fields
– GPA’s, tracking numbers…
Examples for Using Attributes
Free-Form Text
Standard Free-form
Text
Limited Numeric
Multi-Line Option
Examples for Using Attributes
Dates
Examples for Using Attributes
Pull-down/Radio/Multi-Select
The “Follow-Up View”
Using Attributes to Drive
the Communications Plan
• Use dates to drive the “when” it should
happen
• Provide student-specific merged
information
• “Selectable” options turn “on” outward
communications
– Watched Attributes
Key Tip
Consult your users.
- Don’t be afraid to call it a “work in progress.”
- Regular, recurring, and even repetitive
training is not a bad thing.
Questions?
Marcus Hanscom
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
University of New Haven
(203) 932-7448
[email protected]