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About Me: N'Kima Browning "Technology will never replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers is transformational." About Hi everyone! I'm N'Kima. I was born and raised in Tyler, TX. I graduated from Chapel Hill High School, where I participated the Early College Program, enabling me to earn my Associate's degree from TJC before I even received my high school diploma. I continued my education at the University of North Texas, where I received my Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies, EC-6. After graduating, I worked for an amazing organization, Communities in Schools of North Texas, where I served as a Site Coordinator for an after school program at an elementary school. Although I love working with little ones, I had a desire to try something new. After a year, I decided to move back to Tyler and work in higher education. I received a position at Tyler Junior College as an Admissions Specialist, where I assisted with recruitment and the admissions process for our institution. I have currently been promoted and now work as an Academic Advisor, where I assist students with scheduling their courses. These experiences have made me who I am today, fueling my love learning and creativity. On the more fun side of things, my hobbies include reading, playing tennis, and tattooing. I have two fur babies named Drake (Terrier Mix) and Rawlo (Standard Poodle). Education Harvard University Tyler Junior College May 2017-August 2017 HUMA - Masterpiece of World Literature Jan. 2016 - May 2019 General Studies, AA Lamar University University of North Texas August 2019 - May 2022 Interdisciplinary Studies, BS August 2024 - August 2025 Applied Digital Learning, MA

Publication Rough Draft April 13, 2025 | EDLD 5317 | Spring 2025 "The goal of digital education is to create learning experiences that are engaging, personalized, and accessible to all." Rough Draft Document (Click Here) Team 9 Peer Review Rubric Abstract This article explores the critical role of integrated student portals in higher education and how they can enhance the student experience by streamlining application processes and supporting academic advising. By offering real-time access to application status, personalized course planning, and graduation progress, these digital platforms empower students to take control of their academic journey while enabling institutions to provide more efficient and proactive support. As colleges and universities continue to adapt to changing student needs, modernizing digital infrastructure is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. Introduction For today’s students, navigating college isn’t just about attending classes and studying. It’s about juggling application deadlines, choosing the right courses, meeting degree requirements, and figuring out how to graduate on time. While higher education institutions have long supported students through these processes, the traditional methods often fall short. Paper checklists, delayed advisor meetings, and fragmented information systems can create confusion and unnecessary barriers. This article argues that one of the most powerful ways to improve student success is through the integration of smart, user-friendly online portals. When done well, these platforms bring everything a student needs into one place—from tracking application documents to planning courses and predicting graduation timelines. This not only simplifies the student experience but also allows institutions to operate more efficiently and offer more meaningful support. Intended Outlets for Publication This article is being prepared with the submission requirements of the following publications in mind: Educause Review, which focuses on how technology is reshaping higher education. The Journal of Research on Technology in Education (JRTE), which emphasizes research-driven insights on tech-enhanced learning and systems. Education Next, which provides a platform for innovative practices and policy solutions in education. Each of these journals reaches educators, administrators, and technology leaders who can benefit from and act on the strategies discussed here. The Case for Student Portals A student portal isn’t just a convenience, it’s a centralized system that can radically improve the way students interact with their institution. At its core, a well-designed portal serves as a digital dashboard, offering students access to application updates, degree planning tools, academic records, and communication from advisors. When these systems are fully integrated with admissions and advising processes, they support a more seamless, personalized experience. For example, students applying to a college can immediately see which documents have been received and what steps remain. Once admitted, that same portal can suggest course sequences based on their major, previous credits, and institutional requirements. As they progress, students can view their path to graduation in real time, reducing uncertainty and promoting on-time completion. Supporting Advising Through Automation One of the most valuable features of student portals is their ability to support, not replace, academic advising. These platforms can take over the routine tasks: showing students what courses are required, flagging missing prerequisites, or alerting them when they’re off track. This allows advisors to spend less time answering logistical questions and more time having meaningful conversations about career goals, academic interests, and life after graduation. Portals can also help institutions identify students who may be at risk of falling behind, using data to trigger early interventions. By keeping everything in one place, these systems create a clearer, more proactive advising experience. Benefits for Students and Institutions The benefits of student portals extend across the entire academic ecosystem. For students, they offer a sense of control and reduce stress by making information accessible and easy to understand. For advisors, they save time and improve the quality of support. For institutions, they offer cleaner data, stronger retention strategies, and a modernized student experience that meets the expectations of today’s digital-native learners. When students don’t have to wonder whether their transcript arrived, whether they picked the right class, or when they might graduate, they’re more likely to stay engaged and succeed. Lessons Learned from Implementation The successful implementation of a student portal depends on three things: usability, integration, and ongoing support. The system must be intuitive and mobile-friendly; it should connect seamlessly with admissions, registration, advising, and records; and it must be supported by training and feedback from students and staff alike. One common mistake is launching a portal that tries to do too much, too soon, without enough student input. Institutions that approach the process incrementally (building and refining as they go) tend to see the most success. Digital Resources and Real-World Examples The article will include snapshots of successful implementations, including visual walkthroughs of dashboards that track application steps, course progression, and graduation planning. It will also link to tools and research that support portal integration, including resources on user experience design and digital transformation in education. For example, the Purdue OWL site provides foundational tools for structuring digital content accessibly, while recent studies like Hennessy and Forrester’s (2014) work on feedback frameworks offer insights on how students interact with academic tools online. Conclusion As colleges and universities work to retain students and improve outcomes, investing in digital infrastructure is key. Integrated student portals are not only an efficient solution, they’re an essential part of the modern academic experience. By giving students one place to manage their application documents, track their academic progress, and connect with advisors, institutions can remove barriers and build a culture of support. The future of higher education is digital, and with the right tools, it can also be more personal, more supportive, and more student-centered than ever before.

Influencer Strategy December 11, 2024 | EDLD 5304 | Fall 2024 "Educators are the architects of the future, shaping minds and igniting the flame of knowledge." Results The goal is to leverage more digital resources, such as interactive checklists and artificial intelligence, to enhance outreach and engagement with both prospective and continuing college students. By integrating these tools, we can provide personalized, efficient communication and offer a more responsive experience. However, it’s crucial to maintain the personable touch that colleges value, ensuring that students feel heard, supported, and connected to the institution. The balance between innovative technology and human interaction will foster a more dynamic and effective approach to student engagement, making it easier for students to navigate their college journey while still feeling like they are part of a community. The effectiveness of digitalized outreach tools can be measured by comparing the number of college applicants from previous years to the current year, as an increase in applications could indicate that the tools are resonating with prospective students. Also, gathering student feedback through surveys provides valuable insights into how well these digital tools are engaging students and meeting their needs. This feedback allows for a deeper understanding of students' experiences and can highlight areas for improvement. By combining these quantitative and qualitative measures, we can assess the impact of digital outreach efforts and make informed adjustments to enhance future engagement. Changing Vital Behaviors The vital behaviors I aim to change in higher education focus on embracing a more dynamic and tech-savvy approach to student engagement, while still prioritizing personal connection and support. I want to encourage a shift towards utilizing more digital tools, such as interactive platforms, prospective student portals, and data-driven outreach, to enhance the student experience. At the same time, it's essential to ensure that these technological advancements do not replace human interaction, but rather complement it, so that students still feel valued and personally connected to the institution. Organizational Influencers More creative, tech-savvy, and out-the-box thinkers would be my key organizational influencers because they possess a deeper understanding of how to effectively leverage technology and digital tools to engage with students. Their familiarity with current technological trends and platforms makes them better equipped to connect with the younger generation, who are often more accustomed to interacting through digital means. These staff members can help drive innovation within the institution by designing engaging, user-friendly digital experiences that resonate with today’s students. Their insights and adaptability are crucial for shaping outreach strategies that align with the expectations and preferences of the modern student body, ensuring that the institution stays relevant and effective in its engagement efforts. Senior staff members may not be the best choice as organizational influencers for the adoption of digital outreach tools because many of them (not all!) hold the belief that technology could undermine the personal experience that is central to the institution's culture. Their long-established focus on traditional, face-to-face interactions with students may make them hesitant to embrace digital solutions fully, viewing them as a potential replacement rather than a complement to human connection. This mindset could limit their effectiveness in driving the adoption of new technologies, as they may prioritize preserving the status quo over exploring innovative ways to enhance the student experience through digital tools. Six Sources of Influence

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