Judson University Partners with Akademos to Launch Hybrid Bookstore Model

Judson University, an evangelical Christian university in Elgin, IL, has selected Akademos as its partner to launch a hybrid bookstore. Using Akademos’ premier course materials platform, Judson will move textbook sales online while running an oncampus store for branded merchandise and apparel. The new merchandise store comes just in time to support Judson’s emerging football program, which began last fall. 

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Akademos to provide students, faculty, and staff, an elevated in-store and online experience this fall,” said Bryan Flickema, Manager of Business and Faith Initiatives at Judson University. “The Akademos platform provides a convenient, onestop-shop for students to buy all their course materials online. At the same time, we’re able to run a great on-campus spirit shop to promote pride in our school as well as bring it to the greater Judson community.” 

In preparation for the fall semester, Judson students can find all their course materials— including print books, eBooks, and digital subscriptions—on a university-branded website. The site will provide a fully personalized shopping experience, enabling students to see required and recommended materials for each registered course, along with several purchasing options for each item. The online bookstore also gives students seamless access to all of their digital course content in one convenient eLibrary. 

The course materials platform will provide Judson faculty access to comprehensive adoption technology including an easy-to-use tool for building low-cost course packs. Analytics dashboards will provide Judson administration real-time data on course material adoptions, student purchasing trends, utilization, and student achievement. Customizable reporting and analytics technology supplies an overall picture into rising academic success and retention. 

“We’re pleased to be working with Judson to build a thriving hybrid bookstore model and provide their students, faculty, and staff additional support through our integrated customer experience,” said Akademos CEO Raj Kaji. “Our digital platform streamlines the complexities of course materials management, enabling the university’s on-campus store to focus on promoting the JudsonAwesome pride.” 

About Judson University

Judson University is a Christian institution representing the Church at work in higher education. Nestled along the beautiful Fox River in Elgin, Ill., just 36 miles northwest of Chicago, Judson is home to more than 1,250 students from 36 states and 30 countries. Judson offers degrees in more than 65 different majors and minors for traditional, graduate and adult students and ranks consistently among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. Judson has also been recognized as a “Christian College of Distinction.” With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, Judson shapes lives that shape the world.

About Akademos

More than just an online bookstore, an Akademos technology-driven solution is a customizable bookstore experience every unique institution can benefit from. Whether the bookstore is a service for students or a revenue generator, the platform supports prioritizing readiness, textbook affordability, and retention with all models including Equitable Access, Inclusive Access, Student Choice, or a combination. All aspects of textbook and course material purchasing and delivery are taken care of so you can focus on what matters – student success. A true partnership – Akademos provides unmatched customer support along with access to tools and analytics needed to take each student’s college experience to the next level. Learn more at akademos.com.