4 Steps to a Student-Centric Technology Transformation

Here's a situation that might feel familiar for many IT teams: It's the beginning of the semester, and students are trying to register for classes. They navigate to the student portal only to find that their financial aid hasn't been processed, so they can't enroll. They call the financial aid office only to be told they need to fill out a form they completed weeks ago. Meanwhile, room assignments are delayed because the housing office is waiting for course schedules to be finalized. The clock is ticking, and with each passing hour, frustration mounts for both students and staff.

Oftentimes, this scenario unfolds because systems aren't integrated properly, and student information is siloed across different departments. This disjointed experience leads to repetitive data entry, delays, and, ultimately, dissatisfaction. The root of the issue? Technology decisions that were made without putting the student experience at the center, leaving staff scrambling to patch together systems that should work seamlessly.

Historically, CIOs and CTOs have focused on infrastructure, security, and technical operations. Today, their role is critical in shaping the student experience.^Footnote1 With rising competition, shifting demographics, and changing student expectations, CIOs and CTOs must ensure that technology doesn't just maintain operations—it should drive seamless, personalized experiences at every stage of the student journey.

But, what does a student-centric technology approach look like, and how can CIOs and CTOs help their institutions not just meet—but exceed—the expectations of students today?

What Makes a Technology Approach Truly Student-Centric?

A common assumption many IT departments make is that designing systems solely around administrative efficiency—streamlining finance, human capital management (HCM), and communication processes with a focus on what's easiest for the staff and faculty—will automatically improve student experiences. This thinking, which is based on the premise that unburdening staff gives them more time for student engagement, has merit. But it also assumes that students prefer a more passive role in their interactions with the institution and its technology. In reality, students value the ability to independently manage tasks like registration, financial aid, and academic progress.

A more student-centric approach to technology adoption centers itself around student empowerment.^Footnote2 A technology approach is student-centric when it puts students' needs, preferences, and behaviors at the forefront. A truly student-centric system doesn't just solve problems from the institutional perspective—it focuses on creating an experience that addresses the real challenges students face on their journey.

In adopting a more student-centric approach, consider the following:

• Student-centered design: A student-centric approach begins with understanding the student's journey—their pain points, frustrations, and aspirations. By putting students at the center of the design process, technology can be configured to truly enhance the student experience.^Footnote3
• Empathy and engagement: Technology should never be considered in a vacuum. A truly student-centric approach invites student feedback at every step, involving them in adopting tools and creating functional, user-friendly, personalized processes.
• Data-driven experience: Today's students expect experiences tailored to their individual needs and preferences. With the right data, institutions can offer personalized services—like customized course recommendations, timely alerts about academic progress, or even nudges for available resources—that improve outcomes.

In this reimagined approach, technology doesn't merely automate tasks—it transforms the student experience, making it more intuitive, personalized, and, ultimately, more supportive of student success. With this transformative approach in mind, here are four things campus technology leaders can do to drive better student experiences.

1. Place the Student Information System at the Heart of the Tech Stack

The student information system (SIS) is crucial in managing a student's academic journey and should be placed at the forefront of a modern tech stack.

Students today expect personalized self-service experiences across all aspects of their academic life—whether registering for classes, viewing grades, or applying for financial aid. These interactions must be intuitive, seamless, and integrated in a single platform. Without placing the SIS at the center, achieving a truly student-centric experience becomes a significant challenge. When systems are built primarily for administrative efficiency, students often encounter fragmented, disconnected tools that make it difficult to manage their academic progress effectively.

Student-Centric Benefits of Centralizing the SIS

• Unified access: Students can access all their academic information—registration, grades, housing, financial aid, and more—through a single, intuitive portal.
• Simplified experience: By eliminating the need to navigate multiple, disjointed systems, students experience a smoother, more cohesive journey.
• Personalized engagement: Centralized data allows campuses to offer tailored services like course recommendations, progress alerts, and other resources that align with each student's needs.
• Improved satisfaction: A streamlined, student-centered experience increases satisfaction, helping students feel more engaged and supported.

2. Focus on Integration to Break Down Silos

Once the SIS is placed at the heart of the tech stack, the next critical step is ensuring that all other systems across departments are integrated around that central platform.^Footnote4 When systems are fragmented, data silos develop, leading to disjointed processes, inefficiencies, and frustration for both students and staff. By integrating systems such as finance and HCM with the SIS, institutions ensure that every aspect of a student's journey—from enrollment to graduation—is smooth, cohesive, and fully supported.

While many tools facilitate smooth integration between best-of-breed systems, consider choosing single-vendor solutions that offers SIS, HCM, and finance capabilities on a single platform.^Footnote5 This way, all student, staff, and financial data is interconnected, and technology leaders get a holistic view of their systems and data.

Student-Centric Benefits of Integration

• Fewer bottlenecks: Integrated systems eliminate delays and repetitive data entry, allowing students to complete tasks more quickly and efficiently.
• Holistic support: With data shared across departments, institutions can track and support students more comprehensively, from academic progress to financial aid status.
• Personalized services: Integration allows for the seamless delivery of personalized recommendations and resources, enhancing student engagement and retention.
• Increased efficiency: Streamlined workflows between departments allow for quicker responses to student needs, enhancing both administrative and student satisfaction.^Footnote6

3. Leverage Data for Smarter Decision-Making

Data is the backbone of a truly student-focused technology approach. Once the SIS is at the heart of your tech stack and all systems are integrated, technology leaders can access a wealth of student data. By analyzing this data, campus technology leaders can identify opportunities and predict issues. They can address challenges proactively and create personalized experiences that enhance student success.

Student-Centric Benefits of Using Data

• Improved retention: Predictive analytics help identify at-risk students early, enabling targeted interventions that improve retention rates.
• Student empowerment: Personalized recommendations, academic alerts, and resource suggestions help students stay engaged and supported.
• Smarter resource allocation: Data-driven insights ensure resources are allocated efficiently, targeting the most pressing needs of students and ensuring effective support.
• Better program management: Data allows institutions to assess the effectiveness of academic and support programs, enabling data-driven decisions to refine and optimize curriculum offerings, support services, and student engagement strategies.

4. Empower Collaboration and Communication

Effective communication is not just about exchanging information—it's about creating a shared understanding across the institution that ultimately benefits students. When systems are unified, departments can easily share student data, track progress in real time, and address issues before they escalate. Unified systems not only improve the efficiency of administrative processes but also lead to a more coordinated and personalized experience for students.^Footnote7

Student-Centric Benefits of Collaboration and Communication

• Efficient problem-solving: Departments working together on a shared platform can quickly address issues, ensuring students don't face delays in their academic journey.
• Seamless experience: Students benefit when faculty, advisors, and administrators are aligned, providing consistent support and guidance from enrollment through graduation.
• Holistic approach: Collaboration facilitated by a unified system allows departments to view students as whole individuals—supporting both academic and personal growth.
• Streamlined workflows: A single platform ensures that information flows smoothly between departments, reducing duplication and administrative overhead and enhancing overall institutional efficiency.

The Campus Technology Leader's Path to Seamless, Student-Centric Experiences

Simply put: The student experience must come first. When designing campus systems to work for students, focus on students' needs and agency, and emphasize student empowerment. Place the SIS at the center and ensure your systems work together as a cohesive unit. This way, you empower students to manage their academic journey more effectively while ensuring that staff and faculty can provide timely, coordinated support.

At Jenzabar, we understand the challenges of managing complex technology systems while keeping the student experience at the forefront. Our solutions provide a unified platform that integrates SIS, HCM, finance, and other key systems, ensuring all student data is centralized and accessible. By partnering with Jenzabar, you can streamline operations, enhance collaboration, and provide a personalized experience that truly supports student success.^Footnote8

Ready to take the next step in transforming your campus technology? Let Jenzabar help you create a student-centric ecosystem that drives success, improves efficiency, and meets the evolving expectations of today's students. Reach out to us today to learn more about how our solutions can support your institution's journey.

Notes

1. Jim Brossene, Mimi Royston, and Kelly Taylor, "How CIOs Can Leverage Student Experience As a Catalyst for Change," in EdUp Experience, podcast, produced by Jenzabar. Jump back to footnote 1 in the text.↩
2. "Academic Advising Software: A Catalyst for Student Persistence and Institutional Success," Jenzabar Blog, April 23, 2023. Jump back to footnote 2 in the text.↩
3. "How Elevating IT's Role in Higher Ed Can Help Improve Outcomes Across Campus," Jenzabar Blog, July 20, 2022. Jump back to footnote 3 in the text.↩
4. "How Can a Modern ERP Address Higher Education's Biggest Challenges," Jenzabar Blog, November 20, 2024. Jump back to footnote 4 in the text.↩
5. "What's Better for You: A Single Vendor ERP or a Best of Breed ERP?" infographic, Jenzabar, 2025. Jump back to footnote 5 in the text.↩
6. "The Two Ingredients You Need to Perfect Your Campus Efficiency Recipe," Jenzabar Blog, February 26, 2025. Jump back to footnote 6 in the text.↩
7. "The Ultimate Checklist for Improving Communication and Boosting Student Enrollment," infographic, Jenzabar, 2025. Jump back to footnote 7 in the text.↩
8. "What Does Partnering with Your Technology Vendor Look Like, and Why Should You Do It," Jenzabar Blog, February 19, 2025. Jump back to footnote 8 in the text.↩

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Jeff Elliott is Director of Product Management at Jenzabar.