Olivet Nazarene University Achieves Historic Enrollment Growth with Mongoose

Overview

Olivet Nazarene University (ONU), a private Christian institution in Illinois, turned to Mongoose in 2019 to modernize student communication and improve admissions outreach. Since then, Mongoose has played a pivotal role in ONU’s historic undergraduate enrollment growth—especially in 2023, when the university enrolled its largest first-year class ever​.

The Challenge: Outdated Tools and Limited Reach

Prior to Mongoose, ONU’s admissions team relied on personal phones to send texts, raising privacy concerns and creating untracked communication. Traditional tools like phone calls and emails failed to reach prospective students effectively—particularly students navigating the college enrollment process for the first time​.

ONU needed a centralized, student-friendly platform capable of engaging large demographic groups while aligning with its mission of creating a supportive higher education experience.

The Solution: Personalized Texting That Feels Human

With Mongoose integrated into Ellucian Recruit, ONU replaced its fragmented systems with a centralized platform that allowed for real-time, tailored communication. Admissions counselors gained the ability to send automated yet personal texts and track student interactions—supporting prospective undergraduate students through every step of their journey​.

“Mongoose allows us to meet students where they are and communicate in a way that’s approachable and friendly. It helps students feel like they belong here.”

Alli Carpenter, Associate Director of Recruitment & Communications

The Results: Record-Breaking Enrollment Growth

Largest Freshman Class in School History

In 2023, ONU achieved its highest fall enrollment for new students, with its largest freshman class to date. The school was also recognized by NACCAP as a top-ten institution for undergraduate enrollment growth​.

Counselor Efficiency

One counselor managed outreach to 4,200+ students using Mongoose’s Smart Messages and templates—without sacrificing personalization.

“Mongoose ensures no one is overlooked while making communication feel personal.”

Alli Carpenter

Real-Time Engagement That Feels Personal

ONU’s approachable tone—incorporating emojis, photo attachments, and first names to keep conversations authentic—made students feel like they were talking to real people, not bots. This personal connection fostered a stronger sense of belonging and led to higher student enrollment engagement rates.

High-Response Campaigns

Texting campaigns for scholarships, financial aid, and campus events achieved consistent engagement, thanks to timely and relevant messaging tailored to new students and their stage in the admissions journey​.

AI Chatbot Support

ONU’s chatbot handled 80% of routine inquiries, freeing staff to focus on high-touch interactions. It even helped resolve campus visit registration issues, improving both user experience and internal processes.

Pro Tip: Curious about how to have conversations that drive enrollment, improve retention, and grow giving? Learn more in The State of Higher Ed Messaging Benchmark Report for 4-Year Institutions.

The Mongoose Difference

• Personalized Texting at Scale: Thousands of tailored messages, sent efficiently.

• Seamless CRM Integration: Real-time syncing with Ellucian Recruit.

• Actionable Metrics: Helps leadership improve communication strategies.

• Approachable Communication: A tone that resonates with college students.

• AI-Powered Chat: 24/7 support that enhances operational efficiency.

“Mongoose makes it easy to track activities and have data-driven conversations with counselors to improve strategies and outcomes.”

Alli Carpenter

What’s Next: Expanding Impact Across Channels

ONU plans to expand its use of Mongoose by launching drip campaigns for prospective bachelor’s degree seekers and enhancing support for international students via WhatsApp. These efforts will help sustain the university’s momentum amid broader postsecondary enrollment challenges.

From historic enrollment gains to streamlined admissions, Mongoose has helped Olivet Nazarene University improve how it connects with students and supports their journey through higher ed. By providing scalable communication and a human touch, Mongoose continues to play a vital role in ONU’s growth and mission-driven recruitment approach.

“Mongoose has been a game-changer for us. It’s efficient, approachable, and helps us connect with students in meaningful ways.”

Alli Carpenter

Download the Full Case Study

Olivet Nazarene University achieved historic enrollment growth with Mongoose.

Learn How

Author: