Partner Success Story: Enhancing Student Engagement at the University of Greenwich

The University of Greenwich has been a proactive partner in enhancing student support services and fostering meaningful engagement across its diverse student body. This update covers the latest developments and key achievements of the partnership, focusing on expanding the ecosystem, introducing new programmes, and refining features for improved student outcomes.

Key Highlights from the Partnership

The partnership with Greenwich has demonstrated impressive growth and impact over the past year. Below are some of the standout achievements:

• Over 1,250 sessions and events attended by students.
• More than 40,600 messages exchanged on the platform.
• 1,710 hours of sessions and events, reflecting a strong engagement trend.
• Expansion of ecosystem from 6 to 12 programmes, aligned with Greenwich’s digital strategy.
• Introduction of postgraduate student mentoring, which attracted over 300 new users, facilitated 2,700+ chats, and saw over 900 registered events and sessions.

These figures highlight the success of the partnership, especially in boosting student engagement and expanding the range of available support services.

Exploring the Challenges

1. Expanding the Ecosystem

Greenwich’s expansion from 6 to 12 programmes posed challenges in terms of managing resources, scaling support effectively, and ensuring seamless integration across services. While expanding programmes provides students with more opportunities for engagement, it also requires additional coordination and oversight to maintain quality and consistency.

• Approach: The collaboration involved creating a centralised management system that not only connected different support services but also allowed for seamless transitions between them. This approach helped prevent programme fragmentation and ensured that all programmes were aligned with Greenwich’s broader goals of improving retention and student outcomes.

2. Balancing Private and Group Chats

The introduction of the group chat function accounted for 5.5% of all chats exchanged, leading to a boost in private conversations. While group chats promote community engagement and foster peer-to-peer interactions, they can also lead to less personalised support if not balanced with one-on-one sessions.

• Approach: Greenwich adopted a hybrid approach, encouraging students to start with group chats but providing easy transitions to private conversations for more personal guidance. This ensured that students could benefit from both community support and tailored advice.

3. Driving Engagement Throughout the Academic Year

The peak month for engagement was October, with 2,500 new active users. While maintaining high engagement rates throughout the year is challenging, the average monthly active users stood at 1,000, showing consistent participation. Chats increased by 163%, sessions by 47%, and events by 210% compared to the previous year.

• Approach: Greenwich focused on targeted campaigns and timely reminders to keep students engaged, especially during periods of low activity. Additionally, regular feedback sessions with students were conducted to refine programmes and ensure their relevance.

Feature Spotlight: 360 Cohort and Student Views

One of the significant enhancements in the academic year 2023-2024 was the introduction of 360 Cohort and Student Views. This feature allows student engagement to be monitored closely, enabling staff to move students into specific programmes or connect them to a particular supporter when needed. The upcoming API integration aims to harmonise systems further, allowing at-risk students to be flagged for timely interventions.

• Impact: This feature has improved the overall management of student cohorts, allowing for targeted interventions that enhance student outcomes. By identifying at-risk students early, staff can take necessary actions to provide support before issues escalate.

Success Stories and Conversion

The conversion rate from registering to engaging in programmes at Greenwich has been commendable, underscoring the effectiveness of the collaboration. New mentors have been trained and onboarded to support the expanded programmes, contributing to a more comprehensive support ecosystem.

Greenwich’s commitment to student success is evident in the achievement of its defined success metrics. With all metrics either completed or on track, the partnership has demonstrated not only strong initial engagement but also sustainable growth.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Greenwich?

As the partnership progresses, several exciting developments are planned:

• API integrations to enhance data synchronisation and communication between systems.
• Focus on further personalising the student experience, based on feedback and engagement trends.
• Continued efforts to refine the 360 Cohort and Student Views feature, ensuring more seamless operations and accurate data collection for decision-making.

The University of Greenwich’s partnership with Vygo has been marked by significant growth, innovative solutions, and a commitment to providing students with the best possible support. The collaboration has resulted in expanded programmes, increased engagement, and more effective interventions. By addressing the challenges associated with scaling support services and fostering personalised engagement, the partnership serves as a model for other institutions looking to enhance student outcomes through strategic digital solutions.

Interested in seeing how Vygo can support your institution? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you build a more connected and effective support ecosystem.