AUSTIN, Texas — April 28, 2026 — TrueDialog, a leading provider of enterprise-grade SMS texting solutions, today announced it has been named a 2026 Finalist in the EdTech Cool Tools Awards in the Communications category. The annual awards, presented by EdTech Digest, recognize the most innovative and effective tools serving the education technology market.
The EdTech Cool Tools Awards recognize the products and platforms that are making a meaningful difference for students, educators, and institutions. Finalists are evaluated by EdTech Digest’s expert panel based on innovation, effectiveness, and impact within the education sector. EdTech Digest is a leading media brand dedicated to transforming education through technology.
TrueDialog serves colleges and universities across the country, enabling institutions to connect with students, staff, and families through reliable, enterprise-grade SMS texting. From enrollment outreach, financial aid communications, campus safety alerts, and student success programs, TrueDialog helps higher education teams reach students on the channel they actually respond to — their phones.
“Being recognized as an EdTech Cool Tools Finalist reflects what our higher education customers already know — that SMS is the most reliable way to reach students, and TrueDialog makes it easy to do at scale,” said Amanda McGuckin Hager, CMO and CRO of TrueDialog.
TrueDialog’s platform is trusted by institutions including Cal State, LSU, New Mexico State, Tulane University, and Post University, which has used it to drive a 46% increase in enrollment. The company’s direct carrier connections, compliance infrastructure, and two-way messaging capabilities give education teams the tools to communicate more effectively. TrueDialog’s platform includes built-in compliance infrastructure to support regulatory requirements for SMS communications, including consent management and opt-out handling appropriate for institutional messaging.
About TrueDialog
TrueDialog is the enterprise SMS platform transforming how organizations connect with customers through text messaging — today’s most engaging and responsive channel. Through superior features, industry-leading security, and direct carrier connections, the platform delivers enterprise-grade reliability while reducing messaging costs by up to 75%. TrueDialog is trusted by thousands of brands, including Coca-Cola, Hilton, Kansas City Chiefs, Northern Tool, SubjectWell, and Tulane University. Based in Austin, Texas, TrueDialog helps organizations build stronger relationships through reliable, cost-efficient messaging. To learn more, visit www.truedialog.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is SMS the preferred communication channel for reaching college students?
SMS texting in college admissions is a necessity. Research shows that today’s students overwhelmingly prefer text messaging and often don’t respond to traditional phone or email marketing. SMS has significantly higher open and response rates than email, making it the most effective channel for time-sensitive communications such as enrollment deadlines, financial aid reminders, and campus safety alerts.
What is one of the communication frustrations cited by institutions of higher education?
One of the most common frustrations from university administrators is that schools can’t reach students. They frequently won’t answer their phones and miss or simply don’t respond to emails. Besides social media apps, texting is the only way many students want to communicate. In fact, an estimated 97% of text messages are read within 3 minutes.
What are some ways that colleges can use text messaging effectively?
Colleges can use text messages to remind students of upcoming tuition fees and deadlines, notify them of missing forms or transcripts, and alert them to upcoming events like career fairs or alumni events. They can ensure FAFSA and scholarship applications are completed on time. They can provide urgent security, weather, or other emergency alerts. They can provide students with reminders, resources, and support to keep them on track for student retention and success. In addition, they can use text messaging to engage alumni and keep graduates connected to events and giving campaigns. Text messaging can also be used to quickly coordinate meetings and schedule interviews with support staff.
What types of student messages are best sent via SMS?
SMS is ideal for time‑sensitive, action‑oriented, or likely to be missed via email messages. Universities send reminders about applications, financial aid submissions, enrollment tasks, class deadlines, event updates, and important administrative actions. SMS also supports quick touchpoints, such as check-ins, confirmations, and outreach, that require immediate visibility to keep students informed and moving through key processes.
What are the benefits of text messaging from a college student’s perspective?
Students get the assistance they need through near-real-time communication, along with relevant reminders about upcoming events, due dates, or submission requirements.
What are the benefits of text messaging from a university administrator’s perspective?
Universities receive value from using text messaging, including higher response rates, higher enrollment yield, stronger retention metrics, and overall student engagement.
How should higher education, colleges, and universities choose a texting solution?
A reliable higher education texting platform should integrate seamlessly with your CRM, be affordable, scalable, and easy to use, and support both mass messaging and one-to-one two-way communication.
Media Contact:
Jodi Holzband, Classic Bart PR, jodi@classicbart.com
