Case Study: Oral Roberts University achieves 23.8% higher retention and 67% online enrollment growth with D2L Brightspace

Leveraging data to create a clear picture of student success

Oral Roberts University (ORU), a Tulsa-based liberal arts university serving roughly 3,000 students, faced a pressing retention challenge and wanted to become a more intelligence-driven institution by extracting greater value from its Brightspace platform. Administrators needed clearer, real-time insight into persistence and retention rates and tools to help faculty identify and support at‑risk students earlier in a course.

ORU implemented Brightspace Advanced Analytics and the Brightspace Insights Student Success System, hiring an analytics lead to turn platform data into actionable early warnings and visual dashboards for instructors. Within one semester faculty adoption was universal and the university saw retention improve by 23.8%, full‑time online registrations grow 67%, and instructors gain better visibility to proactively support student success.

Oral Roberts University

Kenneth Berchenbriter

Systems Analyst