About the Episode
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About the Episode:
What if you could get the benefits of an OPM (Online Program Management) model without fully outsourcing control? That’s exactly what Augusta University Online did with its DIY+ approach in partnership with Collegis Education. In this episode, Cristina Raecke, Assistant Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Enrollment at Augusta University Online, and Dan Antonson, AVP of Analytics and Technology Solutions at Collegis Education, walk us through how Augusta built a scalable, data-driven enrollment strategy—without a traditional OPM.
They discuss how they leveraged existing technology, optimized data access, and created a system that allowed for rapid growth while maintaining a seamless student experience. Plus, they share insights into forecasting, AI’s role in their efforts, and the future of digital education.
If you’re an enrollment leader looking to build a smarter, more sustainable strategy for online programs, this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways
- The DIY+ Model is an Alternative to Traditional OPMs – Augusta University Online built an internal model, outsourcing only select services while maintaining full control.
- Understanding Your Tech Stack is Essential – Before investing in new tools, institutions must audit and optimize their existing technology.
- Data Access is the Biggest Challenge – Success in digital education relies on seamless integration and accessibility of data across departments.
- Marketing and Enrollment Should be Aligned – Augusta streamlined operations by consolidating marketing and enrollment under one leadership structure.
- Accurate Enrollment Forecasting Prevents Faculty & Resource Strain – Data-driven decision-making ensures institutions can scale programs without overwhelming faculty.
- AI is Transforming Higher Ed Operations – AI is being leveraged for predictive analytics, student personalization, and improving the enrollment funnel.
How Did Augusta University Online Approach Digital Transformation?
When Augusta University Online (AUO) launched, the leadership team knew they wanted to avoid the traditional OPM model. Instead, they opted for a DIY+ approach—building an internal structure that leveraged key partnerships on a fee-for-service basis. This allowed them to maintain control over enrollment strategies while benefiting from specialized expertise.
To get started, AUO partnered with Collegious Education. The first step? Conducting a full audit of existing technologies. The surprising discovery was that AUO already had many of the right tools in place, but the lack of integration created major data gaps. By focusing on bridging these gaps rather than overhauling their tech stack, they were able to launch efficiently and cost-effectively.
How Did Collegious Help Optimize the Student Lifecycle?
Collegious played a crucial role in helping AUO map out its student journey—from lead generation to graduation. Dan Antonson and his team facilitated a two-day whiteboarding session, outlining the entire student lifecycle and pinpointing inefficiencies. The goal was to ensure that all systems—from the website to the CRM, application portal, student records, and advising tools—were working in sync.
The partnership wasn’t about forcing a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it was highly customized to AUO’s needs, allowing them to work within their existing technological ecosystem while making strategic upgrades only where necessary. The result? A scalable infrastructure that supports AUO’s rapid enrollment growth.
What Role Did Data Play in Enrollment Success?
Data wasn’t just an afterthought—it was the foundation of AUO’s success. Cristina Raecke highlighted how the ability to track marketing attribution and enrollment funnel performance was critical. Before Collegious stepped in, AUO had no Google Analytics tracking in its application portal, making it impossible to assess marketing effectiveness.
With a refined data strategy, AUO could accurately forecast enrollments, allocate budgets effectively, and predict future intake trends with remarkable accuracy. For example, AUO’s enrollment forecast was off by only 2% in their most recent intake, allowing them to plan faculty hiring and course sections with precision.
How Did AI and Automation Enhance AUO’s Strategy?
AI is playing an increasingly important role in digital transformation. While some institutions over-rely on dashboards and reporting, Collegious helped AUO use AI for proactive decision-making—such as personalizing the student experience and automating enrollment outreach. The key takeaway? AI isn’t a replacement for human expertise, but when used effectively, it can optimize operations and improve student engagement.
What Can Other Institutions Learn from This Approach?
The biggest lesson from AUO’s journey is that digital transformation doesn’t have to mean outsourcing everything. By taking a DIY+ approach, institutions can retain control over their strategy while selectively leveraging external expertise. The first step? Conduct a full inventory of your tech stack, identify gaps, and build a roadmap for integration. Data accessibility should be a priority, as it underpins all marketing, enrollment, and forecasting efforts.
About the Show: The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There.
Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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