 
  
Personalized Paths, Real Connection: How Baylor Simplified Onboarding with the Advanced Task List | Baylor
 
    
  Industry
Higher Education
Challenge
Baylor’s students and families were overwhelmed by disconnected onboarding steps and repetitive communication. Staff spent hours responding to questions and manually sending reminders with no personalized roadmap to guide each student’s next step.
Results
With VZO’s Advanced Task List, Baylor created a clear and personalized onboarding experience for every student type. The team saved 10 to 20 staff hours per season, reduced inbox clutter, and helped students move confidently from admission to arrival.
Key Product
VZO
“The more we personalize it, the more students feel seen, like they’re part of Baylor before they ever set foot here.”
Daniel Haddad
Associate Director of New Student Programs at Baylor University
Signal
Before VZO, Baylor’s onboarding process felt disjointed. Students and parents often reached out with the same questions, and staff spent hours managing manual emails and reminders. The team needed a system that simplified the process and made students feel supported.
System
Using VZO’s Advanced Task List, Daniel Haddad’s team designed a personalized roadmap that evolves with each student. Tasks appear only when relevant. For example, students who don't attend Baylor Line Camp automatically receive a “Traditions Box” task so they can still get their line jersey and join the Baylor Line.
The team maps every onboarding journey on a whiteboard first, then builds dynamic task paths in VZO based on student type, deposit status, and program needs. When campus partners introduce new requirements, tasks can be added instantly, such as a new Health and Wellness module. Completion data flows directly back to staff for easy tracking.
Outcome
The new system saves 10 to 20 staff hours each season and reduces confusion for students. Staff now focus on collaboration with campus partners, adding opportunities like the Outdoor Adventure Line Camp directly into the onboarding process. Participation increased, and students now experience a journey that feels simple, personal, and intentional.
AI Bridge
Baylor’s approach to behavior-based task design is informing future Insight Agents in VZOS. These agents will identify when students pause between tasks or stop engaging and send personalized nudges. Baylor’s model is shaping the future of intelligent onboarding.


 
      
     
      
    