Reducing Friction: Rethinking Student Engagement for a Modern Enrollment Journey

Today’s students expect clarity, speed, and seamless experiences — and they’re far less tolerant of friction in the enrollment journey.In this episode of Filling Seats, Jonathan Clues is joined by Catie Clark from Niche to explore how institutions can modernize student engagement by removing unnecessary complexity and designing more intuitive pathways from discovery to enrollment.Together, they discuss how student expectations are evolving, why clarity and responsiveness are becoming competitive advantages, and where institutions unintentionally introduce friction — from slow follow-up to overly complex application steps.The conversation also explores the role of personalization, the balance between AI and authenticity, and why immersive storytelling and student-driven content are becoming essential for helping prospective students build confidence in their decisions.If you're thinking about how to simplify the student journey while strengthening connection and trust, this episode offers practical insight grounded in real-world experience.Filling Seats is sponsored by StudentBridge — helping colleges and universities create meaningful digital experiences that drive enrollment.🎓 Learn more about StudentBridge💻 Schedule a meeting with our team🔗 Be a guest + connect with a guest