Case Study: Western Connecticut State University achieves 20.7% increase in first-year enrollment with Liaison's TargetX and Othot

Western Connecticut State University's Strategic Enrollment Success

Western Connecticut State University faced inefficient admissions workflows, decentralized data tracking, and the need for smarter, earlier enrollment decisions. To address these challenges the university implemented Liaison’s TargetX CRM beginning in 2013 and added Liaison’s Othot AI analytics in 2022 to gain predictive and prescriptive insights that would inform recruitment, event management, and aid strategies.

Liaison’s combined TargetX and Othot solution centralized inquiry and application management, identified key enrollment predictors (e.g., proximity, athlete status, academic interest), and enabled simulation of financial aid awards to protect enrollment and revenue. As a result, WCSU achieved a 20.7% increase in first-year class size (2023–2024), lowered its discount rate from 34% to 32%, increased net tuition revenue by over $2 million, improved yield by 1%, and earlier saw a 40% jump in applications after initial TargetX implementation.

Western Connecticut State University

Jay Murray

Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs