Case Study: Bowling Green State University achieves 98% student opt-in for text updates with Upland Software's Mobile Messaging

Bowling Green State University - Customer Case Study

Upland Mobile Messaging partnered with Bowling Green State University to solve a persistent communication problem: prospective students were not responding to postcards, emails, phone calls or voicemails (60–85% of calls went unanswered), leaving applicants unaware of critical steps for applications, orientation, financial aid and events. BGSU needed a reliable, personalized 1:1 channel that every student would use to improve engagement and enrollment outcomes.

BGSU launched an SMS program using Upland Mobile Messaging, promoting keywords like “Text BGSU to 877877” across campus and at orientations (including a parent keyword). The result: 98% of incoming students opted in, enabling timely reminders about orientation, housing payments and scholarships, plus an immediately popular live SMS chat that prompted candid student questions. The program dramatically increased reach and engagement and earned high praise from BGSU’s enrollment communications director.

Bowling Green State University

Sandy Mencer

Director of Student Enrollment Communications