Patriot Connect Release 2 Timeline Adjustment
After careful consideration, the Salesforce Executive Committee voted to move the technical launch of Patriot Connect: Recruitment and Admissions by two weeks to April 24, 2026, with the first wave of applications able to be published in Patriot Connect on May 1, 2026.
As a result of this adjustment, minor changes are needed for two key applications. The following application timelines and systems will apply:
- Undergraduate non-degree (fall 2026): The application will open on April 1, 2026, as planned, but applications will be submitted through TargetX rather than Patriot Connect. These applications will remain in TargetX through the end of the cycle in September 2026, prior to TargetX’s retirement. The fall undergraduate non-degree application will move to Patriot Connect for the next academic year, opening on April 1, 2027.
- Graduate degree (spring 2027): The application start date has moved from April 15, 2026, to May 1, 2026, and applications will be submitted through Patriot Connect. Enrollment Management will work directly with schools and colleges to help mitigate any impact on deferred applications and reporting.
Patriot Connect: Recruitment and Admissions will continue to follow a phased user activation approach in which staff and faculty end-users will gain access to the system in a series of waves as outlined in the Application Milestone Dates for Release 2: Recruitment and Admissions.
For more information, including timelines for the user acceptance testing and training phases, please visit the Timeline page of the Patriot Connect program planning website.
Featured Updates to Patriot Connect Release 1
Three recent updates have been released for Patriot Connect Release 1: Student Success:
- Cloning shifts in Patriot Connect became easier as the updated process copies over additional data to the new shift.
- If you create overlapping shifts with different engagement channels (e.g., in person vs. virtual), students will now receive the correct location and meeting instructions for their appointment.
- Post-appointment surveys are now being sent from a “Do Not Reply” email address to avoid student replies going to the wrong email address.
Please note that Patriot Connect Release 1 training materials in MasonLEAPS are updated on an ongoing basis as needed to incorporate these updates to the system. Be sure to join the Patriot Connect Training Community to be notified when new resources are added or updated.
ON THE HORIZON
What to Expect from Patriot Connect Release 2 Training
Patriot Connect Release 2: Recruitment and Admissions training will follow a “feature-first” strategy, based on user “personas.” Personas represent the day-to-day responsibilities of the different end-user groups within the recruitment and admissions lifecycle. Personas are related to predefined permission sets that grant access to specific features (functionalities, data, and actions) within Patriot Connect. In addition to introductory information that will apply to all users, staff and faculty end-users should expect to be assigned to a specific training path containing instructor-led training and self-guided materials related to their persona.
SPOTLIGHT SERIES
Patriot Connect Change Champions
Get to know our January Change Champion spotlights, Christina Bizzaro and Dylan Henry! Discover their roles, what motivates and inspires them, and a fun fact or two.
ICYMI
In Case You Missed It
- Where to Go for Support for Patriot Connect Release 1: Student Success
- Join the Patriot Connect Training Community on MS Teams
- December Spotlights: Makenzie Gold Quiros and Wren Badalis
- Patriot Connect FAQs
- Did you know you can find last month’s update on the Patriot Connect program website?
Please share the sign up form with your colleagues who are interested in staying up to date with Patriot Connect.
For more information, explore the Patriot Connect website.
As always, we welcome your feedback.