Request a Demo
Back to Case Studies
Student Engagement

Maximizing Campus Engagement Through Radical Collaboration & Leveraging Data

2022-Vanderbilt-University-wordmark

Solutions Used

student-engagement-icon student-development-icon_cropped-3

Want to learn more?

Watch The Video

Description

Vanderbilt University, implemented VandyPASS to tackle challenges in student engagement, skill tracking, and program efficiency. This innovative platform integrates tools like Handshake and Anchor Link, using digital badges to celebrate co-curricular learning and empower students. With robust marketing and strategic initiatives, VandyPASS has driven impressive results, including over 64,000 activities completed and strong participation rates. Vanderbilt plans to expand custom badges, enhance data-driven storytelling, and deepen career center impact. Their experience highlights the importance of collaboration, data-informed strategies, and effective marketing in creating meaningful student outcomes.

About the School

Vanderbilt University (VU), nestled in the vibrant city of Nashville, Tennessee, serves as a hub for innovation, career development, and academic excellence. The university is home to over 7,000 undergraduate students, more than 6,000 graduate students across 10 schools, and over 500 postdoctoral fellows. Vanderbilt’s dedication to student success is reflected in its strong corporate partnerships, career advancement initiatives, and a career center innovation team that works tirelessly to drive better outcomes for its students.

Challenges Before Suitable

Before implementing Suitable, Vanderbilt sought a comprehensive way to understand and enhance student engagement holistically. The university faced several challenges:

  • Tracking Engagement: They wanted to monitor how student engaged across campus to better understand the development of key skill sets that inform career outcomes.
  • Scaling Services: They aimed to scale services effectively while adapting a more intentional approach to fostering skill development.
  • Data Gaps: Engagement data was limited, relying on anecdotal evidence from platforms like Handshake, which left significant gaps in understanding.
  • Over-Programming: The over-commitment of students to various programs led to inefficiencies. They needed a solution to streamline and prioritize impactful programming.

Life After Suitable

To tackle these challenges, Vanderbilt launched VandyPASS, a transformative initiative designed to conceptualize, track, and celebrate co-curricular skill development. The program began with the formation of a dedicated VandyPASS committee tasked with designing tasks and structuring the program. Integrations with Handshake and Anchor Link (Anthology) were established to streamline data collection and management, creating a seamless experience for students and administrators. 

Screenshot 2024-11-21 at 4.32.00 PM

To build awareness, the team conducted a comprehensive “roadshow” to promote VandyPASS, explain its value, and encourage participation across campus.

 

Outcomes Achieved

Since implementing VandyPASS, Vanderbilt has seen remarkable success:

  • 64,000+ Activities Completed: Demonstrating widespread student engagement.
  • 74% Task Completion Rate: Reflecting active participation.
  • 26% Event Attendance Rate: A significant benchmark for campus events.
  • Undergraduate Enrollment: Over 30% of undergraduates enrolled.
  • Graduate & Postdoc Enrollment: About 2% of these populations participated.
  • Badge Achievements: 842 students earned at least one badge, and 130 students earned more than one badge within the first year.

Vanderbilt’s innovative VandyPASS program has earned prestigious recognition, winning the Most Creative Marketing Strategy and The Changemaker Award at Pathways 2024.

PathwaysBadge - Changemaker Award - Best in Class@2x (1)PathwaysBadge - Most Creative Marketing Strategy - Marketing & Promotion@2x (1)

 

 

 

These accolades celebrate the university’s dedication to empowering students through cutting-edge engagement strategies, skill development, and meaningful career preparation. It’s a testament to Vanderbilt’s vision and leadership in shaping transformative student experiences.

Key Takeaways & Advice

  • Collaboration Matters: Shared ownership and diverse perspectives foster alignment across departments, ensuring broader support and success.
  • Data-Driven Decisions Are Essential: Using data provides objective insights, measures impact, and ensures alignment with actual student needs.
  • Marketing Drives Success: Strong campaigns build awareness, engage students, and communicate the value of programs effectively, ensuring sustained participation.
Screenshot 2024-11-26 at 11.54.58 AM
https://2309634.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2309634/Screenshot%202024-11-21%20at%205.03.13%20PM.png

"The intrinsic motivation of enhancing both academic and personal abilities drives my active participation."

https://2309634.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2309634/Screenshot%202024-11-21%20at%205.02.38%20PM.png

First-Year Student, Feedback

Plans for the Future

Vanderbilt has ambitious plans to expand and refine VandyPASS. They aim to develop more custom badges tailored to support diverse student groups intentionally. Strengthening campus partnerships and improving resource sharing with students are also key priorities. Additionally, the university plans to use engagement data to enhance student narratives and create a more compelling story about the Vanderbilt experience.

In the next year, Vanderbilt intends to launch 2.0 Competency Badges, introduce an Employer Badge to engage industry partners, and amplify the Career Center’s impact on student development. These initiatives will continue to empower students and prepare them for meaningful post-graduate opportunities, whether in careers, advanced degrees, or volunteer work.