Slate by Technolutions was selected as a platform that will support Undergraduate Admissions at the university.
Slate will enable Undergraduate Admissions to implement process improvements, enhance the applicant experience and replace existing Quest and OnBase processes.
In October 2023, a dedicated full time project team was established to begin work on implementation of Slate for Admissions to the University of Waterloo. The project team has comprised of staff from the Registrar’s Office, Information Systems & Technology, and the Project Management Office.
In addition to the Waterloo resources, an external implementation partner, RHB, was hired by Waterloo.
Objectives
- Improved user experience, enhanced productivity and transparency for:
- Applicants engaged in the application process,
- The Undergraduate Admissions staff in the Registrar's Office who manage the document and data processing in support of applications and admissions processes and,
- Faculty and staff in academic units who support the offer decision processes.
- Plan for future prospect management and communications for targeting and recruiting top-tier applicants.
- Improved administrative model for management of applicant data. Providing internal efficiency and earlier offers; key for student recruitment.
- Improved ability to adapt system configuration based on current business needs and the possible new/changing needs that may come out of the other projects.
Timeline
October 2023 - December 2024
- Project team to build and validate Slate functionality with RHB.
- Engagement with campus community regarding their specific high-level system needs.
January – April 2025
- Project team to demonstrate Slate to Admissions staff for their feedback.
- Ongoing building of Slate components including Student Awards and Financial Aid and other campus partners.
- Begin reporting development.
May – August 2025
- Testing of Slate platform with select groups of staff and faculty
- Ongoing building of Slate components and reporting capabilities
- User training begins
September 2025:
- Launch Slate for Admissions
- Ongoing training and reporting
Project teams
| Committee role | Name | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Project co-sponsor | Catherine Newell Kelly | Registrar’s Office |
| Project co-sponsor | Gregory Smith | Information Systems & Technology |
| Co-Project Owner | André Jardin | Registrar’s Office |
| Co-Project Owner | Stacey Mahoney | Registrar’s Office |
| Product Owner | Jessica Parris | Registrar’s Office |
| Director, Information Systems | Mike Gaspic | Information Systems & Technology |
| Manager, Student Information Systems | Nyall Quaif | Information Systems & Technology |
| Committee role | Name | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Product Owner and Committee chair | Jessica Parris | Registrar’s Office Systems |
| Assistant Registrar, Admissions Operations | Tatum Bizony | Registrar’s Office Admissions |
| Assistant Registrar, Admissions | Amelia Burton | Registrar’s Office Admissions |
| Director, Marketing & Communications | Kari Pasick Stewart | Applicant communications |
| Director, Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing | Ian VanderBurgh | Faculty Admissions |
| Director of Admissions, Engineering | Bill Bishop | Faculty Admissions |
| Financial Aid Functional Lead | Tina Obediah | Student Awards and Financial Aid |
| Director of Admissions & Undergraduate Affairs School of Pharmacy | Kaitlin Bynkoski | Professional School Admissions |
| Project Manager | Pamela Braza Pitman | Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (EDI-R) |
| Manager, Undergraduate Awards | Brenda Denomme | Student Awards and Financial Aid |
| Manager, Marketing and Digital Engagement | Jasmin English | Applicant communications |
| Director, Indigenous Relations | Melissa Ireland | Indigenous Relations |
| Role | Name | Department |
|---|---|---|
|
Product Owner |
Jessica Parris | Registrar's Office, Systems |
| Business Systems Analyst | Jennifer Mackie | Registrar's Office, Systems |
| Business Systems Analyst | Sherry Kihut | Registrar's Office, Systems |
| Data Analyst | Hannah Ellingham | Registrar's Office, Systems |
| Data Analyst | Taha Gilani | Registrar's Office, Systems |
| Admissions Officer | Louise Walker | Registrar's Office, Admissions |
| Manager, Data Integration and Analytics | John Kemp | Information Systems & Technology |
| Project Manager | Stacey Mahoney | Registrar's Office, Systems |