Overview

The SCC is leading efforts to make student communications clearer, more consistent and more effective. Building on findings from the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) report, the Academic Innovation + Intelligence (A.I.I.) Lab report and additional research with students, faculty and staff, the SCC is working to improve the student experience.

Specifically, the SCC will:

• Guide decisions on the timing, content and delivery of student-facing messages to ensure students receive the information they need, when they need it.
• Establish clear standards and best practices that make communication more consistent, accessible and student-centered.
• Develop shared tools and resources that improve alignment, efficiency and collaboration across campus units.
• Create a centralized digital hub that increases visibility, reduces redundancy and streamlines the student experience.
• Advance institutional goals for retention, progression, completion and overall student success.

To achieve these outcomes, the SCC is focused on three core challenges:

1. Reducing message overload, so students can prioritize messages and act on what matters most.
2. Coordinating surveys to prevent duplication, improve response quality and clarify how data will be used.
3. Creating consistent communication standards, so messages are clearer, more trustworthy and easier for students to recognize action items.

Our Approach

To reflect the many perspectives on campus, we are taking a phased approach. Beginning by listening to those already doing this work, as well as the students receiving the messages, then documenting current practices and data methods. From there, we will analyze insights, test early concepts and ultimately scale solutions that keep student needs at the center of communication.

Measuring Success

The SCC’s work will be evaluated by clear, tangible outcomes that show whether student communications are becoming more coordinated and effective:

• Launch a streamlined, campuswide student communications strategy by Fall 2026.
• Reduce the number of emails and messages students receive each month from central and academic units.
• Increase engagement on student-facing messages, such as higher open and click-through rates.

Timeline

The timeline below outlines our phased path forward. This work builds on the foundation laid in 2024–25, when a steering committee used findings from the NISS report, focus groups, interviews and student data to identify key challenges, and on the priorities set by the cross-functional leadership team in summer 2025.

Phase I (2025–26) focuses on research, discovery and design. This includes mapping current communication flows, auditing existing systems and studying best-in-class models at peer institutions. Early pilot projects will test small-scale improvements in key areas such as advising, scholarships, and placement. Broader implementation (Phase II) will follow, guided by campus feedback and proven outcomes.

• Message Overload & Prioritization
  • April 1, 2026: Framework design and implementation plan completed
  • August 3, 2026: Pilot launch of the new framework
• Survey Saturation & Overlap
  • April 1, 2026: Coordinated survey plan finalized
  • Before August 17, 2026: Formal strategy implemented
• Inconsistent Communication Standards
  • Spring 2026: Announce changes and set expectations
  • Summer 2026: Roll out new communication standards