Case Study: Freed-Hardeman University achieves record-breaking enrollment and 31.6% application growth with TargetX Recruitment Suite

Freed-Hardeman University Celebrates Another Record-Breaking Student Recruitment Season with TargetX Recruitment Suite

Freed‑Herman University (FHU), a private Christian university in Henderson, Tennessee, faced a critical recruitment challenge: an unsustainable, in‑house admissions system that limited customization to 15 fields, produced a clunky online application, and made reporting and relationship‑building with prospective students inefficient. An IT audit revealed dangerous dependence on a single staff member and the need for a modern CRM to support growth and better meet student needs.

FHU implemented TargetX Recruitment Suite and Premier Services to create customizable student records, a student portal with checklists, and faster reporting—enabling more personalized, relational communications. Since adopting TargetX, applications increased 31.6% (from 1,900 in 2015 to 2,500 in 2021), the university broke enrollment records three years in a row, admissions reps now manage 300–400 applications each, and digital engagement improved notably during the pandemic.

Freed-Hardeman University

Joe Askew

Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management