Reynolds Community College, located in the heart of Virginia, is an innovative institution that provides accessible, high-quality education to a diverse student body. With a strong commitment to student success and community engagement, Reynolds offers a wide range of programs designed to meet the evolving needs of its students, from traditional academic pathways to workforce development. Reynolds continually seeks new ways to enhance the student experience and empower learners at every stage of their academic journey.
Reynolds recognized a gap in how program information was presented online. For years, students had to navigate the rigid and uninspiring Acalog system to access program details. This static catalog offered no visuals or engaging content, making it difficult for students to explore their options and find inspiration for their academic journeys.
Recognizing the need for a more dynamic and user-friendly solution, Reynolds decided it was time to take action. With a vision to transform how students discovered programs, the college aimed to develop a Program Finder that would not only present program information effectively but also integrate career and labor market data to guide students toward informed decisions.
Already a Cascade CMS client, Reynolds Community College knew that their chosen content management system had the flexibility and power to bring their vision to life. However, the institution sought additional expertise to ensure the Program Finder would meet the high standards they set for themselves and their students. Reynolds turned to Hannon Hill's Professional Services team to collaborate on this critical project.
Reynolds’ Web Manager, April-Nichole McIntosh, spearheaded the project, bringing together insights from various stakeholders across the college. She meticulously gathered requirements, drawing inspiration from other institutions and the needs specific to Reynolds. This groundwork laid a strong foundation for the project, ensuring the end product aligned with the college's goals.
The Reynolds team worked closely with Hannon Hill's Professional Services team, including project manager Lauren Murray and developer Nate Sims.
Together, they designed and implemented a Program Finder that exceeded the college's expectations.
Key features of the Program Finder included:
McIntosh provided detailed specifications for content types and fields, ensuring the development process was smooth and aligned with Reynolds' vision.
Her leadership in tweaking and customizing the tool post-launch further refined the Program Finder, making it even more effective for the college's needs.
Thanks to Reynolds Community College's vision and leadership, the Program Finder has significantly improved student engagement since its launch:
Most importantly, inquiries have substantially increased since the Program Finder launch.
During the June 24 to September 3, 2023 period, Reynolds Community College received 2,249 inquiries.
A year later, from June 24 to September 3, 2024, this number rose to:
3,813 inquiries submitted through the RFI form—a remarkable 70% increase in student engagement and interest.
Feedback from both faculty and students has been overwhelmingly positive.
Faculty members, particularly those in programs like Culinary Arts, reported that students were thrilled to see themselves represented in the program content.
This improved student satisfaction and strengthened their connection to the college.
Reynolds Community College is not resting on its laurels. The college plans to continue enhancing the Program Finder to meet the evolving needs of its diverse student body.
Future initiatives include:
"Reynolds Community College is always looking to improve how we serve our students, and the Program Finder is a testament to that commitment. The Hannon Hill team was a fantastic partner in bringing our vision to life. The positive feedback we've received and the engagement we're seeing show that we're on the right track, and we're excited to continue building on this success."
—April-Nichole McIntosh, Web Manager, Reynolds Community College