The R3 Project
The R3 Project is an opportunity to rethink, redesign and reimagine how Algonquin College does business.
This business transformation initiative will retire the current Student Information System (GeneSIS) and the related portal (ACSIS). These will be replaced by a new Student Information System as well as an updated learner portal respectively.
As we implement a new SIS, we have the opportunity to Rethink how we work, Redesign our processes, and Reimagine how we serve and interact with our learners.
R3 supports the College vision to be a global leader in personalized, digitally connected, experiential learning.
Laura Stanbra, Vice President, Student Services, R3 Executive Sponsor
Why are we doing the R3 Project?
GeneSIS was developed many years ago using the technology of the time. One objective of R3 is to address the risks associated with the aging GeneSIS technology. Another objective is to take advantage of new technology.
GeneSIS is like a long-standing employee. It has served the College well for many years doing what it was designed to do. Now, however, we need the technology to do new things.
What are we trying to do?
Three Key Purposes to the R3 Project
The R3 Project has three key purposes that connect to one another.
Implementing the new Student Information System
Thesis SM is the name of the new Algonquin College Student Information System
Algonquin College has acquired the services of Thesis, a company that specializes in providing technical solutions to colleges and universities around the world. Their Student Information System is called Thesis SM. It is a cloud-based platform built on new technology.
Once implemented, the new system will provide automation throughout the entire student lifecycle, including Admissions, Academics and Financial Aid.
Rethinking and Redesigning AC’s Business Processes
A Business Process is a procedure that has a sequence of steps to get from a Start to an End. Throughout the R3 Project, we’ll be reviewing our business processes at Algonquin College and whether they need to be updated.
For instance, we’ll review how we currently schedule courses each semester as well as the process for posting those schedules for students and faculty to see.
We’ve pulled in our College’s own Subject Matter Experts to provide feedback and guidance throughout this review, and we can’t wait to see what comes from this initiative.
Implementing the Thesis Student Portal
The Thesis Student Portal improves the student experience by providing new capabilities to support the 2023-2029 Academic Plan.
The portal has new features to personalize the learning experience. One new capability is the Credential Audit which both learners and employees can use to identify progress in a program and additional requirements that must be met.
The R3 Project also includes integration, security, data and configuration to tie it all together.
The R3 Project’s five main objectives
The three key purposes listed above will ultimately help Algonquin College meet the following five objectives outlined in the R3 Project:
How Algonquin College will meet those objectives:
- Improved student success and satisfaction, by enabling more efficient processes.
- Improved employee satisfaction and productivity, through more efficient processes and the ability to spend time on more value-added work.
- Improved data quality, security and resilience through new integrations with other systems and reduced manual effort.
- Better, faster decision-making through staff access to dashboards and reports.
- Growth in new markets, such as continuing and online education, by enabling new processes.
Project Phases
Here are the current R3 Project Phases (April 2024)
Want to stay up-to-date on the R3 Project? Showcase events and past event recordings are a great start.