Case Study: South Seattle College achieves shorter wait times and higher student satisfaction with QLess

QLess solution improves efficiency and reduces the time students wait for campus services

South Seattle College’s Center for International Education faced growing demand as its international student population more than doubled from about 300 to nearly 700, overwhelming a small waiting area and causing long, concentrated queues during the first two weeks and end of each term. The congestion strained staff time and student satisfaction, making it difficult to efficiently deliver advising on enrollment, visas, cultural adjustment and study abroad.

In 2014 the college implemented QLess, a queue-management system that lets students schedule via smartphone, PC or kiosk and receive text/voice updates so they arrive only at their appointment time. The change immediately reduced crowding and wait times, boosted student satisfaction, improved staff productivity by as much as 49%, simplified reporting and analytics, and enabled the center to serve more students and expand programs.

South Seattle College

Catherine Creason

Director for International Students