Concept3D Elevates Student Engagement, Retention and Accessibility on Campus for Michigan Tech
View MapBy replacing static, hard to maintain homegrown solutions with Concept3D’s digital-first technology, Michigan Tech has added two new levers for student recruitment, engagement and retention. Read below to learn more about how Michigan Tech utilizes an innovative dual solution with Concept3D.
About Michigan TechMichigan Technological University currently serves over 7,000 students and offers 120 undergraduate and graduate degrees. Located on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Michigan Tech was founded in 1885 as a public research university and boasts sweeping views of the Keweenaw Waterway.
For nearly a decade, Michigan Tech has trusted Concept3D to deliver an accessible, immersive and on-brand digital experience to prospective and current students. Initially, Michigan Tech first implemented the Interactive Map, however quickly experienced tangible results which compelled them to partner with fellow departments to secure funding to implement the Localist Events calendar as well. Together, the Interactive Map and the events calendar drive student engagement and retention from the top of the funnel inquiry stage all the way through graduation. Read more to learn how Concept3D transformed Michigan Tech’s approach to online student engagement.
Michigan Tech’s original in-house system for their map and events calendar presented multiple significant problems. The consistent maintenance of the homegrown map required to keep information accurate and adhere to evolving accessibility standards was nearly impossible due to staffing capacity. The homegrown events calendar aesthetically lacked an on-brand look and current students delivered feedback that they were having a hard time learning about the student event options available on campus. Before partnering with Concept3D, Michigan Tech couldn’t report on any metrics related to admissions goals or student engagement that would inform their recruitment and retention strategies. Their in-house solutions were untrackable and unsustainable.
“I think there’s a clear benefit to having these two different pieces of technology underneath one vendor. We’re able to hone in on our brand standards and our messaging, typography, colors, logo, all those sorts of things.“
Joel Vertin, Executive Director of Marketing
Concept3D provides an unparalleled student experience as they virtually navigate campus utilizing the Interactive Map or search for student events on the Localist Events calendar. Both the Interactive Map and the Localist Events calendar track all student engagement that feeds directly to the solution’s centralized, intuitive CMS for clear, data-driven reporting. Michigan Tech relies on the Interactive Map and Localist Events calendar to inform strategic decisions by learning how students interact with the diverse set of robust platform features including form submissions, CTA clicks, tour stop plays, and time spent on each page, throughout their lifecycle.
The Interactive Map provides a reliable way to understand student activity before, during, and after prospects physically come to campus. From July 2023 to July 2024, the Interactive Map generated 46 leads in form submissions, 370 clicks on their CTA buttons including Apply, Visit, and Request Information, 7,000 tour plays and 60,000 unique users. This level of engagement greatly exceeds higher education conversion benchmarks. Michigan Tech keeps student communication at the forefront by creating temporary categories to highlight vital information at different key moments on campus such as Move-In Day, Homecoming, and Commencement.
“We know that prospective students are looking at that [Interactive Map] and getting a flavor of what life is like on campus. We know that the Interactive Map is generating additional leads, but it’s also helping to inform our existing leads so that they can have a more informed decision about where they’re going to go to school.”
Joel Vertin, Executive Director of Marketing
In the past year, over 1,400 events have been added to Michigan Tech’s event calendar. Without question, Michigan Tech has seen an increase in attendance and awareness of events on campus following the Localist implementation. The ability to tag events by location, date, department, or interest allows students to seamlessly find, filter and register for the events that matter most to their individual needs.
“From an accessibility standpoint, we’ve outlined where the ADA elevators, wheelchair ramps and all-gender bathrooms are. We’ve received a lot of compliments about the granularity and volume of information that we’ve put into the map.”
Joel Vertin, Executive Director of Marketing
Michigan Tech knows that embracing an accessible approach to their online presence is the only way forward in today’s digital recruitment landscape. Partnering with Concept3D has ensured WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, as ordered by the Department of Justice in recent updates to Title II regulations, for web and mobile accessibility standards and ensures every prospective and current student, despite ability level, can fully engage with Michigan Tech.
Through partnering with Concept3D, Michigan Tech’s team is freed up to focus on priority projects instead of getting bogged down by maintaining a homegrown solution. Their Interactive Map and Localist Events calendar serve as a distinct recruitment tool and support Michigan Tech exceeding their enrollment goals by showcasing a branded, digitally innovative vision of everything their institution has to offer.
Learn more about Concept3D’s accessible, digital-first solutions that drive Higher Ed engagement!