From Paper to Digital in Less Than a Year
By adopting Campus Cafe, GTC reduced manual work, improved accuracy, and increased applications from 20 per term to 30 per week.
When Goodwill Technical College’s Chief Academic Officer Dr. Kiedra Williams arrived at the school in 2020, the staff relied almost entirely on paper forms, hard copy applications, and documents scattered across individual computers. Students had no digital access to their accounts or services.
The lack of a centralized student information system caused:
- Fragmented communication between staff and students.
- Redundant, error-prone manual processes.
- Limited reporting capabilities for compliance and financial aid.
For Goodwill Technical College (GTC) to best serve its students and foster future growth, Dr. Williams needed a cost-effective, modern and integrated student information system to manage administration, operations, student experience and reporting — and needed it quickly.
Goodwill Technical College: A Snapshot
Location | New Orleans |
|---|---|
School Type | Technical School |
Accreditation | Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) |
Programs | Certificate Programs and Continuing Education |
LMS | Canvas |
Go-Live Date: | Winter 2021 |
The Challenge
Paper-Based Systems Blocking Growth
GTC offers career training in high-demand occupations through certificate programs and continuing education courses. It is affiliated with Goodwill Industries of Southeast Louisiana, part of the national Goodwill Industries nonprofit organization.
The school opened in 2018 and received its accreditation in 2021. But for the first several years, GTC lacked any software or technology to manage its operations.
Some school leaders didn’t think a digital platform could be affordable, or that a school its size even needed one. But Dr. Williams was adamant that investing in a student information system would pay dividends.
“We couldn’t continue to work off all that paper,” she says.
GTC’s Student Information System Wishlist
As GTC pursued Title IV eligibility, the need for a modern, affordable, and integrated SIS became urgent. Dr. Williams was determined to find a technology partner that offered a flexible range of modules and features at a reasonable price.
- Online applications
- Transparent pricing
- Online admissions
- Online Self-service course registration
- Digital transcripts
- Automation features
- Searchable records
- Integrated financial aid
- Comprehensive reporting
- Supportive implementation team
The Solution
An All-in-One Platform With White Glove Service
Dr. Williams selected Campus Cafe because it delivered the right balance of affordability, robust features and hands-on support. Unlike larger vendors, Campus Cafe could move quickly, and unlike smaller firms, it had the resources to ensure a successful implementation.
Immediately, Dr. Williams says that Campus Cafe’s platform modernized GTC’s operations while streamlining administrative tasks across departments.
Click each item for more details.
Streamlined Admissions and Operations
- Online applications eliminated paper forms
- Configurable workflows managed high volumes of applications
- Automations reduced redundant work and triggered alerts to staff
Integrated Student Services
- Centralized student portal for course registration, transcripts, billing and online payments
- Financial aid tools prepared GTC to manage Title IV funding
- Continuing education courses supported through self-service sign-up
Robust Training and Support
24/7 Knowledge Base access
Responsive help desk and dedicated project manager
Hands-on training during implementation and beyond
A dedicated project manager providing ongoing assistance
User-Friendly Design
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Seamless Integrations
- Teams can use the software of their choice with real-time data exchanges
- No additional fees for integrations
- Integrates with a majority of LMS providers
Career Services
- Records and organizes job placement information
- Generate reports required for accreditation
- Keeps alumni records up to date
- Helps manage employer data for placement services
The Results
Booming Enrollment and More Efficient Operations
Since GTC adopted Campus Cafe, the school’s operations have improved significantly. Particularly for aspiring students.
Before implementing Campus Cafe, Dr. Williams said applicants filled out paper applications that had to be scanned or mailed. The GTC staff would review the documents and follow up with calls and emails. Now, that entire process is digitized and efficient.
The result is a dramatic increase in submitted applications. GTC now receives up to 30 applications per week, up from 20 to 30 per term.
Looking Ahead
Scaling the System With Confidence
Since GTC adopted Campus Cafe, the school’s operations have improved significantly. Particularly for aspiring students.
Before implementing Campus Cafe, Dr. Williams said applicants filled out paper applications that had to be scanned or mailed. The GTC staff would review the documents and follow up with calls and emails. Now, that entire process is digitized and efficient.
With centralized records, streamlined processes and scalable features, GTC is well-positioned to continue growing enrollment and delivering on its mission of preparing students for high-demand careers.
“When students apply online, we click a button and it triggers automated responses. Anything we can automate, we do. It saves so much time.”
Dr. Williams, Chief Academic Officer