Why Higher Education Needs a Smarter Digital Communication Strategy
Higher education is at a crossroadsโstudent engagement is at an all-time low, and traditional communication methods are failing. According to the National Association of State Boards of Education:
- 80% of students report disengagement from campus activities
- 25% never participate in campus events
To revitalize engagement and streamline communication, universities are turning to digital signage solutions like Korbyt Anywhereโa centralized, AI-powered platform that delivers real-time, location-specific messaging across campus.
This guide will explore:
- How digital signage enhances engagement and campus communication
- Where and how digital displays, video walls, and interactive kiosks create the most impact
- Key benefits for students, faculty, IT, and Facilities teams
- ROI strategies for maximizing cost savings and revenue potential
- Why Korbyt is the most advanced digital signage solution for universities
What is Campus Digital Signage?
University digital signage refers to a network of digital displays, interactive kiosks, and video walls that instantly communicate important updates to students, faculty, and visitors. These screens can display:
- Real-time event updates & campus news
- Emergency alerts & safety notifications
- Wayfinding maps & campus directories
- Class schedules & study room availability
- Dining menus & nutritional information
Unlike static signage, digital signage for schools is dynamic and automated, allowing institutions to:
- Update content instantly across multiple locations
- Integrate with existing campus systems
- Deliver targeted messaging to specific audiences
๐ก With cloud-based content management and AI-powered automation, digital signage is a scalable, long-term solution for universities.
The Benefits of Digital Signage for Higher Ed
๐ 1. Capture Attention & Boost Engagement
Todayโs students are digital nativesโused to consuming content via interactive screens and social media. Static posters get ignored, but high-impact visuals and real-time messaging grab attention.
- Highlight student achievements, campus events, and faculty research
- Display live social media feeds and community engagement opportunities
- Promote wellness initiatives, career fairs, and extracurricular activities
๐กWith AI-driven content optimization, Korbyt ensures that the right message reaches the right students at the right timeโmaximizing visibility and interaction.
๐ฏ 2. Empower IT, AV & Facilities Teams with Control & Flexibility
Managing campus-wide communication shouldnโt be a logistical nightmare. Korbytโs cloud-based CMS allows institutions to:
- Update content instantly across multiple locations
- Schedule messaging in advance to align with academic calendars
- Automate emergency alerts for rapid crisis communication
- Assign role-based permissions so departments control their own content
๐ก IT teams can slash digital signage management time by over 80% each week!
๐ซ 3. Enhance Campus Wayfinding & Space Booking
Navigating a university campus can be overwhelmingโespecially for new students and visitors. Digital signage solves this by providing:
- Interactive wayfinding maps (2D/3D) that guide users in real-time
- Room booking displays showing available study and meeting spaces
- Mobile integrations so users receive directions on their phones
๐ก Korbyt integrates with EMS, 25Live, and Google Calendar to streamline scheduling, reduce no-shows, and eliminate double bookings.
๐ 4. Data-Driven Insights for Smarter Decision-Making
Korbytโs digital displays provide real-time analytics to measure communication effectiveness. IT, AV, and Facilities teams can track:
- Which messages drive the most engagement
- How many students interact with content
- Real-time foot traffic data for space optimization
๐ก Schools can use this data to refine content, improve campus flow, and enhance student engagement.
๐ฐ 5. Reduce Costs & Generate Revenue
Digital signage isnโt just an expenseโitโs an investment with measurable ROI.
- Cut printing costs by replacing posters and flyers with digital screens
- Monetize digital displays with paid advertising from local businesses
- Increase event attendance and student participation through better promotion
๐ก A university that invests $20,000 in digital signage but generates $25,000 in ad revenue and saves $5,000 in printing costs achieves an ROI of 50% in the first year alone!
Applications for Digital Signage Across Campus
Digital signage is more than just a replacement for bulletin boardsโitโs a transformative communication tool that enhances engagement, safety, and efficiency across campus. By incorporating interactive displays, video walls, and AI-driven content, universities can create a seamless, visually dynamic experience for students, faculty, and visitors.
๐ช Entrances & Pathways: Create a Smart First Impression
University entrances and walkways are high-traffic areas where first impressions matter. Digital signage and interactive kiosks can:
- Welcome new students and visitors with customized messages and campus updates
- Provide real-time, interactive wayfindingโhelping users navigate large campuses efficiently
- Show weather and transit updates for students relying on public transportation
- Highlight upcoming events and campus initiatives with eye-catching animations
- Display social media feeds and live student engagement to foster community spirit
๐ก Video walls near main entrances can showcase campus achievements, donor recognition, and live university news.
๐ Common Areas & Residence Halls: Keep Students Connected
In dorms, lounges, and student centers, digital signage can transform shared spaces into engaging hubs for campus life by:
- Displaying dorm-specific announcements (maintenance alerts, community guidelines, event details)
- Integrating with social media feeds to highlight student activities and groups
- Encouraging student engagement with polls, surveys, and interactive message boards
- Promoting campus resourcesโmental health services, tutoring centers, and job fairs
- Providing real-time shuttle bus tracking for students commuting across campus.
๐ Libraries & Study Rooms: Smart Space Management & Information Access
Libraries arenโt just about booksโthey are collaborative learning spaces that require dynamic communication tools. Digital signage can:
- Show real-time study room and work desk availability
- Highlight quiet zones, group study areas, and computer lab availability
- Provide real-time research tips and citation guides from library staff
- Display live data on book returns, overdue notices, and new arrivals
- Integrate with accessibility tools, offering text-to-speech and multi-language support
๐ก Dynamic digital signage can recommend popular books, study resources, and research workshops based on student interests.
๐ซ Classrooms & Lecture Halls: Enhance Learning & Safety
Digital signage in lecture halls and classrooms can improve both education delivery and student safety:
- Show interactive lecture materials, turning static presentations into engaging visuals
- Broadcast real-time alerts (emergency notifications, severe weather warnings, evacuation instructions)
- Provide automated room schedules to reduce scheduling conflicts
- Promote upcoming guest lectures and academic conferences
- Display real-time exam countdowns, assignment deadlines, and faculty office hours
๐ฝ๏ธ Cafeterias & Dining Halls: Optimize the Student Dining Experience
Meals are a central part of campus life, and digital signage can make dining more efficient and enjoyable by:
- Displaying daily menus with real-time updates on meal options and dietary restrictions
- Integrating with mobile ordering systems, allowing students to pre-order and skip lines
- Providing nutritional information for health-conscious students
- Showing sustainability initiatives, such as food waste reduction stats and composting locations
- Highlighting student meal plans, promotions, and dining hours
๐ก Interactive kiosks can help students find allergen-friendly meals, check calorie counts, and rate their dining experience in real time.
๐๏ธ Administrative & Athletic Facilities: Unify Campus Operations & Events
University administrative buildings and athletic facilities benefit from real-time communication tools that keep students and staff informed. Digital signage can:
- Show live sports scores, athlete highlights, and upcoming game schedules
- Promote fitness classes, intramural leagues, and wellness programs
- Display real-time building schedules for faculty meetings, admissions events, and advising sessions
- Integrate with emergency alert systems to keep staff informed during crises
- Highlight school policies, financial aid deadlines, and graduation information
Expanding Possibilities: More Unique Digital Signage Applications on Campus
๐ค Student Innovation Centers & Labs
- Showcase student projects and research breakthroughs
- Promote hackathons, startup incubators, and internship opportunities
- Live-stream expert guest speakers and TED-style talks
๐ท Campus Health Centers
- Provide mental health and wellness tips
- Display real-time appointment availability for clinics and counselors
- Broadcast important health advisories (flu season alerts, vaccine availability)
๐ธ Alumni & Fundraising Events
- Highlight major donors and fundraising goals in real time
- Showcase alumni success stories and networking opportunities
- Display donation leaderboards to encourage participation
Best Practices for Maximizing Digital Signage ROI
1. Set Clear Objectives
Define goals before implementation, such as:
โ๏ธ Increasing student participation in campus events
โ๏ธ Enhancing safety communication during emergencies
โ๏ธ Optimizing classroom and facility usage
2. Measure Key Metrics
Track performance using:
โ๏ธ Engagement rates โ How many students interact with digital content?
โ๏ธ Conversion rates โ Are students taking action based on signage?
โ๏ธ Room utilization data โ Are study spaces being used efficiently?
3. Automate & Personalize Content
โ๏ธ Schedule content to display at peak student traffic times
โ๏ธ Use AI-driven analytics to optimize message delivery
โ๏ธ Leverage multi-zone layouts to show different content simultaneously
๐ก With Korbyt, universities can automate up to 90% of their digital signage content.
What Makes Korbyt the Best Digital Signage Solution for Higher Education?
1. AI-Powered Content Management & Automation
Managing a college digital signage network should be effortless. Korbytโs cloud-based content management system (CMS) simplifies the entire process, enabling universities to:
- Create, schedule, and deploy content across multiple screens in seconds
- Leverage AI-powered recommendations to optimize messaging effectiveness
- Automate content delivery based on time, location, and audience behavior
- Set dynamic playlists that update in real time with no manual intervention
๐ก Result: IT, AV, and communications teams spend significantly less time managing content, allowing them to focus on other strategic initiatives.
2. The Most Robust Integrations in the Industry
Higher education institutions utilize a variety of software systems for communication, scheduling, and analytics. Korbyt seamlessly integrates with:
- Campus Scheduling & Room Booking Systems โ EMS, 25Live, Google Calendar, Office 365
- Emergency Notification & Safety Systems โ RAVE, Everbridge, Alertus
- Business Intelligence & Analytics โ Power BI, Tableau, TIBCO
- IT & Facilities Management โ ServiceNow, Cisco Spaces
- Collaboration & Messaging Tools โ Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom
- Enterprise Content Management โ OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Adobe Experience Manager
๐ก Result: Korbyt eliminates the inefficiencies of managing multiple disconnected systems, providing a unified platform that enhances operations across IT, AV, facilities, and communications teams.
3. Unmatched Multi-Zone Display Capabilities
Unlike most digital signage for schoolsโ solutions that only allow full-screen content display, Korbyt supports advanced multi-zone layouts, enabling institutions to:
- Show multiple content types simultaneously โ event schedules, news, alerts, dashboards, and live TV
- Assign different content zones to various departments while maintaining central control
- Display real-time data feeds from campus systems and external sources
๐ก Result: Universities can maximize screen real estate and deliver more relevant, data-driven messaging in a single, unified view.
4. Integrated Room and Desk Booking Capabilities
Many digital signage CMS platforms focus solely on content display, but Korbyt goes a step further by incorporating room and desk booking functionalities within the same platform. This integration offers several benefits:
- Streamlined Space Management: Students and faculty can easily reserve study rooms, meeting spaces, or desks through a unified system, reducing scheduling conflicts and enhancing collaboration.
- Real-Time Availability: Digital displays show up-to-date information on room and desk availability, allowing users to make informed decisions on the spot.
- Seamless Integration with Existing Tools: Korbyt Booking integrates with platforms like Microsoft 365, Outlook, and Google Calendar, enabling users to book spaces without leaving their familiar workflows.
- Enhanced Utilization Analytics: Institutions gain insights into space usage patterns, helping optimize resource allocation and reduce operational costs.
๐ก Result: By combining digital signage with space booking capabilities, Korbyt provides a holistic solution that improves campus efficiency and user experience.
5. Scalable for Multi-Campus Deployments
Higher education institutions need a signage solution that grows with them. Whether managing 10 screens or 1,000+, Korbytโs platform scales effortlessly with:
- Centralized management for multi-campus networks
- Support for all major hardware vendors โ BrightSign, LG, Samsung, and more
- Automated software updates ensuring systems remain cutting-edge
๐ก Result: Universities can expand their digital signage network without increasing IT workload.
Real Success Stories from Leading Universities
๐ University of Kentucky โ 300+ digital displays, centralized content, real-time alerts
๐ University of Southern California โ 150+ digital endpoints, increased student participation
๐ Texas Christian University โ Migrated from a legacy system in just one month
๐ University of Notre Dame โ Integrated signage with wayfinding and interactive tools
๐ Virginia Commonwealth University โ Improved compliance and safety communications
Ready to Join the List?
See how Korbytโs digital signage platform can help your institution boost engagement, streamline IT management, and maximize ROI.
๐ Request a Demo โ See Korbyt in action today!
Final Thoughts
When choosing a digital signage solution for universities, itโs essential to select a platform that is:
โ
AI-powered for automation & efficiency
โ
Secure & scalable to meet IT & Facilities needs
โ
Fully integrated with campus systems
โ
Designed for real-time engagement & analytics
๐ก Korbyt is the only platform that checks every boxโmaking it the #1 choice for college digital signage.
