Concordia College Enhances Student Recruitment with Mongoose

Overview

Concordia College at Moorhead, a liberal arts institution in Minnesota, has always prioritized building meaningful connections with prospective students. To improve student enrollment and streamline communication, the college adopted Mongoose Text in 2017. Since then, Mongoose has played a crucial role in strengthening Concordia’s higher education recruitment efforts, helping the admissions team create a more personalized experience for prospective students.

The Challenge: Establishing Consistent, Personalized Communication

Before implementing Mongoose, Concordia College relied on a generic texting platform that lacked two-way communication. Messages were often sent from random, non-dedicated numbers, making them feel impersonal and failing to establish a consistent channel for engagement. The recruitment process needed a solution that would allow for personalized, student-focused conversations while ensuring message consistency.

The Solution: A Human-Centered Approach to Student Outreach

After evaluating multiple options, Concordia College selected Mongoose for its intuitive interface, personalization features, and seamless CRM integration (initially Salesforce and later Slate). The platform’s ability to support genuine, human-centered communication made it easy for the admissions team to build stronger relationships with potential students.

“Mongoose’s simplicity and human element were what set it apart. It feels like you’re texting a friend, not just blasting promotional material.”

Brandon Wente, Associate Director of Admission, Concordia College

The Results: Stronger Engagement and Improved Recruitment Outcomes

Consistent, Trustworthy Communication

By using dedicated phone numbers, Mongoose helped Concordia establish a recognizable and reliable communication channel for students. This consistency led to higher engagement rates, as students were more likely to respond to messages from a familiar number.

Higher Response Rates and Meaningful Conversations

Instead of sending one-way information blasts, the admissions team now uses Mongoose to initiate real conversations with students. This student-centered approach has led to higher reply rates and more engaged interactions, improving the overall student experience.

“When we focus on building relationships, the response rates are stronger, and students engage more meaningfully.”

Brandon Wente

Streamlined Recruitment Workflows

Mongoose’s intuitive platform made it easy for staff to adopt and use effectively. New admissions team members quickly got up to speed, and the mobile app ensured that counselors could respond to students in real-time, whether they were in the office or on the go. Features like the chatbot, smart messaging, and automated replies further simplified communication workflows.

Sustained Recruitment Success

Since implementing Mongoose, Concordia College has experienced consistently strong college recruitment years. The admissions team credits Mongoose with helping them maintain effective and open communication with high school students, ultimately contributing to their enrollment success.

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

Authentic, Two-Way Conversations

Mongoose allows Concordia to move beyond mass messaging by fostering real conversations with students. Best practice templates and AI-enabled messaging help the team craft concise, engaging texts that feel personal and authentic.

AI-Driven Efficiency

Mongoose’s AI-powered tools suggest optimal message timing, content, and workflow automation, ensuring that strategies are both strategic and effective.

“The AI capabilities help us streamline our communication while keeping it personal.”

Brandon Wente

Dedicated Phone Numbers for Trust and Consistency

Unlike previous messaging tools, Mongoose provides dedicated phone numbers, allowing students to recognize and trust the messages they receive.

Mobile Flexibility for Admissions Staff

The Mongoose mobile app allows counselors to stay responsive, manage conversations efficiently, and engage with students even while traveling for campus tours and higher education recruitment events.

What’s Next: Balancing AI with Human Connection

Looking ahead, Concordia College is exploring how emerging technologies like AI might fit into its communication strategy while maintaining the personal connection that is at the heart of its recruitment efforts. Brandon believes that while AI may play a role, it’s essential to keep the human element intact to ensure students feel they are having genuine interactions.

“We’re excited to see how student recruitment will evolve, but we know students can tell what’s real and what’s not. Maintaining that personal, human-centered communication will always be key.”

Brandon Wente

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Concordia College elevated student recruitment with Mongoose’s conversational platform.

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