What Is a Student Success Platform? Evidence, Use Cases & Best Practices

Higher education faces a critical challenge: improving student retention and success rates amid diverse, growing, and increasingly non-traditional student populations. As institutions seek solutions, digital student success platforms have emerged as powerful tools to address persistent barriers to academic achievement.

But what exactly are these platforms? And more importantly — do they work?

What Is a Student Success Platform?

A student success platform is a digital system designed to holistically support students' educational journeys. It typically includes features such as:

• Advising and academic planning

• Early alerts and intervention systems

• Appointment scheduling and tracking

• Personalized communication (email/SMS)

• Progress tracking and predictive analytics

• Resource management for services like tutoring, counseling, and financial aid

By consolidating these functions, these platforms aim to simplify students’ experiences and proactively address challenges before they derail academic progress.

Why Institutions Are Turning to Digital Solutions

1. Addressing Barriers Beyond Academics

According to the Brookings Institution (Dawson, Kearney, & Sullivan, 2021), non-academic barriers — such as navigating institutional bureaucracy, personal responsibilities, and financial stress — are among the greatest threats to student persistence. Student success platforms provide a centralized hub to connect students with critical resources, helping them overcome these hidden hurdles.

2. Impact on Retention and Completion Rates

Evidence from randomized controlled trials indicates that integrated support models significantly boost graduation rates. For example, the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) initiative by CUNY nearly doubled graduation rates by combining comprehensive student support with digital monitoring tools (Weiss et al., 2019).

Further, a meta-analysis by the Community College Research Center (2021) emphasized that institutions using guided pathways frameworks — often supported by digital platforms — show notable increases in on-time degree completion.

3. Supporting Diverse and At-Risk Populations

Community college students — who often juggle work, family, and school — particularly benefit from streamlined services. Research shows that advising paired with technology reduces equity gaps in retention among first-generation, low-income, and minority students (Dynarski et al., 2023).

Case Study: Digital Support for Categorical Students

A recent peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Applied Research in the Community College (Green, Donovan, & Currie, 2024) analyzed the adoption of a student services management platform across the Los Angeles Community College District.

Key findings included:

• High utilization rates: Categorical students (those in special support programs) used digital advising platforms consistently throughout their academic journeys — not just at entry.

• Mode preferences: Students favored in-person and scheduled online meetings, indicating that digital tools supplemented rather than replaced personal connection.

• Efficiency gains: Shorter online meetings (averaging 18 minutes) increased advising capacity without sacrificing service quality.

• Continued adoption: Usage steadily increased over several semesters, suggesting growing comfort and perceived value.

The study concluded that student success platforms are vital in addressing systemic challenges, particularly for at-risk populations, and recommended thoughtful, sustainable implementation across colleges.

Best Practices for Implementing Student Success Platforms

Based on research and institutional case studies, successful implementation strategies include:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Involve students, faculty, and staff early in the design and rollout processes.

• Clear Outcome Planning: Align platform usage with measurable goals like retention increases or reduced time-to-degree.

• Sustained Training and Communication: Offer ongoing professional development and regular updates to users.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Continuously monitor usage patterns and student outcomes to refine services.

Conclusion: The Future of Student Support

As higher education institutions grapple with declining enrollment and equity gaps, student success platforms are not just a convenience — they are a necessity. They offer a scalable, data-informed approach to creating more supportive, navigable academic environments.

While many platforms exist, studies like those examining deployments within community college systems highlight the transformative potential when digital tools are carefully integrated with human-centered support strategies.

Real-World Impact: Vanessa’s Story

When Vanessa Cordero needed urgent help with her course registration, she didn’t have time to wait days for an advising appointment. Instead, she joined her college’s virtual walk-in lobby — and met with a counselor that same day.

Behind the scenes, staff like Bryanna Viramontes, a program assistant at Chaffey College’s Career Center, help make this seamless experience possible. Bryanna shared how ConexED has become an essential part of scheduling and support during the shift to online and hybrid models: “It’s been a great tool for students to schedule their own appointments. The features are intuitive, and any questions we’ve had have always been addressed quickly.”

Fabiola Espita, a college counselor, echoed that sentiment. “My virtual sessions mirror in-person meetings,” she explained. “Whether I’m developing an education plan or sharing documents live, the platform gives students real-time access — from appointments to virtual knock-on-the-door moments. It’s incredible.”

This everyday accessibility is a reminder: when the right technology meets student need, it’s more than convenience — it’s empowerment.

Want the full research findings?

Download the peer-reviewed study from the Journal of Applied Research in the Community College to explore how digital student services platforms are impacting student success — particularly for at-risk and categorical student groups.

Sources Cited

• Green, T., Donovan, L., & Currie, D.-J. (2024): Understanding the Value of Student Services Management Platforms for Categorical Students in California Community Colleges. Journal of Applied Research in the Community College.

• Dawson, R., Kearney, M., & Sullivan, J. (2021): Brookings Institution Study on Student Support and Outcomes.‍

(https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-expanded-student-supports-can-improve-community-college-outcomes-and-boost-skill-attainment/)

• Weiss, M., Bloom, H., & Singh, K. (2023): What 20 years of RCTs tell us about community college interventions. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis.

• Dynarski, S., Nurshatayeva, A., Page, L., & Scott-Clayton, J. (2023): Handbook of the Economics of Education, Vol. 6. Elsevier.

• Green, T., Donovan, L., & Currie, D.-J. (2024): Understanding the Value of Student Services Management Platforms for Categorical Students in California Community Colleges. Journal of Applied Research in the Community College.

• Dawson, R., Kearney, M., & Sullivan, J. (2021): Brookings Institution Study on Student Support and Outcomes.‍

(https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-expanded-student-supports-can-improve-community-college-outcomes-and-boost-skill-attainment/)

• Weiss, M., Bloom, H., & Singh, K. (2023): What 20 years of RCTs tell us about community college interventions. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis.

• Dynarski, S., Nurshatayeva, A., Page, L., & Scott-Clayton, J. (2023): Handbook of the Economics of Education, Vol. 6. Elsevier.

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