University of Vermont Uses StarRez to Transform Program Management for Maximum Student Engagement

Nestled in the scenic city of Burlington, the University of Vermont (UVM) offers a vibrant living and learning environment for its 6,200+ residential students. Guided by a commitment to student development and community building, the Housing Operations team strives to enhance the student experience through innovation and data-driven decision-making.

In collaboration with the Coordinator of Housing Operations, the team has harnessed StarRez’s Community Interactions solution to address long-standing challenges in tracking, assessing, and showcasing the impact of its residential programs. In doing so, they’ve paved the way for a deeper understanding of student engagement and its alignment with institutional goals.

Bridging Gaps to Tell the Student Story

Prior to implementing StarRez, UVM’s approach to managing residential programming contained several administrative steps and did not support long term data gathering. While the institution offered a wide variety of programs—ranging from academic and social events to community-building activities—there was no centralized system to track attendance, measure outcomes, or assess overall impact.

Data was scattered across platforms like Microsoft Suite and Qualtrics, creating silos that hindered the team’s ability to report on engagement. These disconnects not only limited insights but also made it difficult to align programs with UVM’s Curriculum Learning Map, which outlines goals, trajectories, and outcomes for events in the residence halls.

“We were doing incredible things in our residence halls, but we couldn’t demonstrate their impact on student learning or show how students were engaging. That data was missing, and it was critical to telling the student story.”

-Devon Smith, Associate Director of Housing Operations, University of Vermont

The lack of a unified system also placed additional burdens on staff. Manual processes for attendance tracking, program reporting, and data compilation consumed valuable time that could have been better spent enhancing student interactions. For professional staff and Resident Assistants (RAs), the lack of efficiency was a significant hurdle.

Creating a Cohesive and Centralized Experience with StarRez

Recognizing the need for change, UVM’s Housing Operations team implemented StarRez’s Community Interactions solution. This solution is built on the great foundation UVM already had with StarRez while offering comprehensive tools needed to track, assess, and enhance programming efforts, all within a single, centralized system.

The first semester of implementation yielded immediate benefits:

• Ability to Track Attendance and Learning Outcomes: For the first time, UVM could track attendance at all programs, aligning events with specific goals tied to the department’s residential curriculum. As a result, they could ensure their key objectives and topics were met and that students were learning outside of the classroom environment.  

• Streamlined Program Submissions: RAs and professional staff could easily submit program details, risk management considerations, and logistical plans, through workflows. This eliminated inefficiencies and allowed for seamless approvals.

• Custom Dashboards for Strategic Insights: Tailored dashboards offered a granular view of engagement metrics, breaking attendance data down by building, floor, and program type. These insights empowered staff to adjust programming strategies, identify areas of strong or weak engagement, and demonstrate impact to senior leadership.

• Reduced Administrative Burden: Automations, such as batch data imports and ID tappers, significantly reduced manual effort. Staff could then focus on creating meaningful student experiences rather than being bogged down by administrative tasks.

“This platform has truly streamlined our operations. RAs and hall directors can now track all their events and see immediate feedback. We’re finally able to demonstrate our impact in a tangible way.”

-Ian Lynch, Coordinator of Housing Operations, University of Vermont

Painting the Picture of Engagement

StarRez has transformed UVM’s ability to tell the student story, turning data into actionable insights and creating a culture of informed decision-making. By centralizing program data and aligning it with learning outcomes, the team has unlocked new ways to demonstrate the value of residential life.

Key outcomes include:

1. Nearly 700 Programs Tracked in One Semester: With attendance data now tied to learning outcomes, UVM has a clearer picture of student engagement trends across its residential communities.

2. Alignment with Departmental and Institutional Goals: Programs are directly linked to UVM’s residential curriculum learning map, ensuring that every event contributes to students’ academic and personal development.

3. Improved Collaboration Across Teams: Through workshops, the team built trust and buy-in from the larger residential life staff, fostering widespread adoption of the solution. Staff are now more engaged and equipped with tools to make data-driven decisions.

Overcoming Resistance and Building Buy-In

Like any significant change, the implementation of StarRez came with initial resistance. However, the team approached this challenge with a collaborative mindset, involving staff at every stage of the rollout.

“We realized it was crucial to bring people into the fold and show them how this software could improve their workflows. Hearing their successes has been incredibly rewarding,” Devon said.

The team conducted one-on-one meetings and departmental workshops to gather feedback and refine processes. The team also developed training materials, including step-by-step guides and screenshots, to support staff as they became familiar with the platform. This collaborative approach not only smoothed the transition but also fostered a sense of ownership among staff.  

Looking Ahead and Expanding Program Management

As UVM continues to refine its use of StarRez, the team is focused on expanding its capabilities to include qualitative data, demographic metrics, and student feedback. These enhancements will further deepen the institution’s ability to understand and meet the needs of its residential population.

“Our goal is to show how every program impacts our students, ensuring their voices are heard. StarRez has given us the tools to centralize data, streamline workflows, and demonstrate that we care about our students’ growth and engagement.”

-Devon Smith, Associate Director of Housing Operations, University of Vermont

The team is also exploring ways to use data to drive storytelling, creating narratives that highlight the value of residential life at UVM and explain the story on how students are actually engaging and learning in the residence halls.

By combining quantitative and qualitative insights, they aim to create a more holistic picture of student engagement.

Through their innovative use of StarRez, UVM is setting a new standard for leveraging technology to support student success—one program, one dashboard, and one story at a time.

Connect with our team to transform your program management tactics in your residential communities!