Guest Essay – Rasheed Behrooznia, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Campus ID and Commerce, Transact Campus + CBORD
Digital IDs are transforming how people access, navigate, and interact with the world. From payments to access control, they offer unmatched convenience and security. Of course, this shift isn’t confined to campuses—14 states and Puerto Rico already offer mobile driver’s licenses (mDL), and another 11 states are rolling out similar initiatives, signaling the growing momentum of mobile-first identities nationwide.
While adoption grows across industries, college campuses are leading the charge as they serve the first digital native generation—Gen Z—whose expectations for seamless, mobile-first experiences make campuses a proving ground for digital ID solutions with lessons that other industries can adopt. These students, who are natural digital adopters, expect seamless, mobile-first experiences, making higher education an ideal proving ground for digital IDs. By solving real-world challenges like security and efficiency for these forward-looking users, campuses offer valuable lessons that IT professionals in other industries can use to meet evolving consumer demands and modernize systems. They offer industries a playbook for improving user experiences and simplifying daily life.
1. Build for the User Experience
Adoption happens when technology solves real pain points and fits into users’ lives.
Gen Z is ditching physical wallets. A PYMNTS study found that 79 percent of Gen Z consumers use digital wallets, with 78 percent eager to store more than payment information, such as IDs and event tickets. Transact research echoes this: 70 percent of students say carrying a physical ID is frustrating.
2. Drive Adoption Through Engagement
Technology succeeds when people use it.
At Penn State, a multi-channel campaign drove adoption of digital IDs, showcasing strategies that other industries can replicate to engage users and drive adoption at scale. A multi-faceted campaign using social media, banners, and clear instructions built excitement and drove results. On the first day alone, 13,000 students signed up, leading to an impressive 84 percent adoption rate in just over a year.
3. Eliminate Inefficiencies with Integrated Solutions
Digital IDs do more than enhance user experience—they solve operational bottlenecks.
Outdated systems like plastic IDs and physical keys create inefficiencies that cost time and resources. Colleges have tackled these challenges by integrating digital IDs into campus-wide ecosystems, simplifying everything from move-in day to dining hall entry.
4. Prioritize Security Without Sacrificing Usability
Security is paramount, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of simplicity.
Physical ID cards are prone to loss, theft, and duplication. In contrast, NFC-enabled digital IDs offer multi-layered security through encryption and biometric authentication, ensuring users can access dorms, pay for meals, and attend campus events without worry.
A Roadmap for Digital ID Success
Digital IDs are more than just convenient—they’re a strategic investment in the future, addressing an array of critical challenges like security, compliance, and operational efficiency, offering insights that IT professionals across industries can apply to modernize their systems and address common challenges.
Outside higher education, digital IDs are gaining traction. Hospitality, workplaces, and government services are adopting digital IDs to modernize interactions.
As digital IDs become integral to daily life, the lessons from college campuses are paving the way for a future where secure, convenient, and inclusive digital identities reshape how we live, work, and interact globally.
Rasheed Behrooznia is the Senior Vice President & General Manager for Campus ID and Commerce, Transact Campus + CBORD.
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