GoalQuest Inc. and the University of New Orleans today announced the launch of UNO Coming Home, a Web-based program designed to reach out to students displaced by Hurricane Katrina and to facilitate their re-matriculation.

Reflecting the theme "Return, Rebuild, Renew," UNO Coming Home immerses students in interactive content on topics such as the re-entry application and financial aid processes, campus housing, the school's vibrant campus athletics program and student activities. Also included is the rebuilding and renewal effort taking place in New Orleans itself.

UNO Coming Home features standard GoalQuest programming options, including its Student Service Center tool, which enables students to route any question or concern to the appropriate staff members and quickly receive an authoritative response. The program also utilizes UBlog™, GoalQuest's proprietary blogging tool, allowing the University to appoint "virtual ambassadors" - current undergraduates whose web journals offer personal advice and encouragement to students considering their return to campus.

University staff benefits from GoalQuest's sophisticated real-time reporting tools, including survey and assessment modules designed to help distill displaced students' concerns as well as their likelihood to re-enroll. The reporting suite provides an alert option that dynamically notifies staff when participants express particular concerns or take specific actions within the program.

"In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the University of New Orleans lost a significant proportion of its typical student enrollment," said Dr. Ronald Maggiore, associate vice chancellor for enrollment management and dean of admissions. "However, UNO never closed its doors, enrolling nearly 7000 students just weeks after the storm. In the midst of a national media stream that emphasized the tragedies the storm brought, UNO sought the services of GoalQuest to help differentiate the message to prospective students and parents and help rebuild the confidence in the excellence of its academic programs. GoalQuest has been a generous and productive partner in UNO's efforts to bring its student population back home again."

According to Peter Tomassi, GoalQuest's vice president of product development and editor-in-chief, "Technology alone is not likely to inspire students displaced by Hurricane Katrina to consider their return to New Orleans. Nor could it help them re-imagine what first attracted them to the school and to a city whose culture, history and distinct character make it an ideal place to pursue an education. Coupled with compelling narratives, critical information and re-assuring advice crafted by our editorial team, our suite of tools has become a dynamic and relevant source of encouragement for these students. We look forward to working closely with the University to reach out to prospective and admitted students as well as their parents."

About University of New Orleans
The University of New Orleans (UNO), the urban research university of the State of Louisiana, provides essential support for the educational, economic, cultural, and social well being of the culturally rich and diverse New Orleans metropolitan area. Located in an international city, the university serves as an important link between Louisiana and both the nation and the world. The university strategically serves the needs of the region through its undergraduate and graduate programs and through mutually beneficial collaborations with public and private bodies whose missions and goals are consistent with and supportive of UNO's teaching, scholarly, and community service objectives.

About GoalQuest
GoalQuest, Inc. is a New York City-based software company specializing in innovative solutions for higher education. The Company's proprietary software assists colleges and universities in maximizing recruiting, enrollment yield, retention, parent communication and advancement efforts. Its suite of products, including eCRUIT™, FYRe™, PICS™, AlumNet™ as well as its Universe™ tools such as UPeers™ and UPortfolio™, are based on a revolutionary technology that immerses participants in highly interactive content. The tools provide clients with a full-featured reporting center and automated activity alerts that monitor the real-time interest trajectory of users. GoalQuest is a NASPA strategic partner. For additional information about GoalQuest, please visit the Company's Web site at http://www.goalquest.com or e-mail info@goalquest.com.