While higher education institutions have relied heavily on traditional communication channels for decades, students have not. Often the first to adopt new technologies for communication, including texting and social messaging, today’s students expect a real-time experience in every interaction. As COVID-19 exposed, the ability for colleges and universities to communicate with prospective and current students is hampered by outdated technology and an over-reliance on human staff. Moving forward, schools need to examine their own communication strategies to ensure they are providing a positive and engaging experience at any point in the student journey.