In Your Element

RIT Certified's Breakthrough in Non-Traditional Student Success

Episode Summary

In this episode of "In Your Element," host Brendan Henkel welcomes Kristina Faller, Director of Marketing and Brand Experience, and Nick Ciccarone, Manager of Data and Systems from RIT Certified. The discussion revolves around their experiences implementing and using the Element451 platform at RIT Certified, a division of Rochester Institute of Technology focused on non-traditional education and workforce development. Kristina and Nick delve into the challenges and successes they've encountered while integrating Element451 into their operations. They explore how the platform has facilitated a dynamic and responsive marketing strategy, crucial for adapting to the rapidly changing job market and educational needs. The conversation also covers their innovative approaches to using data to enhance student engagement and tailor educational offerings to individual career paths. Brendan shares insights on the pivotal role of technology in transforming educational environments, emphasizing the personalized student experiences made possible by Element451. The episode is a deep dive into the practical applications of AI and CRM technologies in higher education, illustrating RIT Certified's journey from implementation to mastery, and their ongoing efforts to align educational offerings with real-world demands.

Episode Notes

In this episode of "In Your Element," host Brendan Henkel welcomes Kristina Faller, Director of Marketing and Brand Experience, and Nick Ciccarone, Manager of Data and Systems from RIT Certified. The discussion revolves around their experiences implementing and using the Element451 platform at RIT Certified, a division of Rochester Institute of Technology focused on non-traditional education and workforce development.

Kristina and Nick delve into the challenges and successes they've encountered while integrating Element451 into their operations. They explore how the platform has facilitated a dynamic and responsive marketing strategy, crucial for adapting to the rapidly changing job market and educational needs. The conversation also covers their innovative approaches to using data to enhance student engagement and tailor educational offerings to individual career paths.

Brendan shares insights on the pivotal role of technology in transforming educational environments, emphasizing the personalized student experiences made possible by Element451. The episode is a deep dive into the practical applications of AI and CRM technologies in higher education, illustrating RIT Certified's journey from implementation to mastery, and their ongoing efforts to align educational offerings with real-world demands.

Key Takeaways: 

  1. Innovative Implementation: Kristina and Nick discuss their journey of implementing Element451 at RIT Certified, highlighting the transformative impact the platform has had on their operations and student engagement strategies.
  2. Personalized Marketing Strategies: The episode dives into how RIT Certified utilizes Element451 to tailor marketing strategies that effectively meet the evolving needs of their non-traditional student base, emphasizing the importance of adaptive marketing in higher education.
  3. Data-Driven Decision Making: Nick elaborates on the crucial role of data in understanding and segmenting their audience, which allows RIT Certified to deliver more personalized and effective educational offerings.
  4. Non-Credit Education’s Value: The discussion underscores the growing relevance of non-credit courses in today’s job market, providing real-world skills without the traditional degree path, which is particularly vital in rapidly evolving industries.
  5. Future-Proofing Education: The episode highlights the strategic use of technology to future-proof educational offerings, ensuring that RIT Certified can quickly adapt to changes in the job market and technology landscape.

Guest Names: 
Kristina Faller, Director, Marketing and Brand Experience, RIT Certified
Nick Ciccarone, Manager of Data & Systems, RIT Certified 

Guest Social Handles: 
Kristina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinafaller/
Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-ciccarone/  

Guest Bios: 
Kristina: Kristina has over 20 years experience in marketing, working on both the agency and client sides, and most recently  in higher education at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where she started in the online division, and then jumped at the opportunity to build the marketing efforts for RIT Certified, RIT’s professional training and workforce development division.

Nick: Nick Ciccarone is the Manager of Data & Systems at RIT Certified, the professional education and workforce development division of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). An RIT alum, Nick's responsibilities include system implementation, system administration, data integration, and data engineering, among others. In short, doing whatever’s needed to ensure technology works well for students and staff. Prior to working at RIT Certified, he worked in the investing world in various operational and analytical roles. He decided to make the transition to higher education, and to RIT Certified in particular, to engage in more impactful and purpose-driven work.