Student Success

people sitting on the steps of the urban plaza outside

SMS Chatbot - Victor E. Bot

Project Status: Monitor/Assess

Student Success has partnered with EdSights to implement a campus-wide SMS chatbot that can serve as a first-line problem solving and wayfinding tool for students. The goal of this project is to provide students with a convenient way to find answers to questions, get automated and tailored messages aimed at improving connection to PSU, and creating a mechanism for student success staff to provide additional support —thereby increasing overall student engagement and persistence.  

Accomplished

  • 91% opt in rate and 52% student engagement
  • Partnered with the Career Center, Transfer Center, UAA, SALP, and Financial Aid to create custom campaigns for targeted groups of students.
  • Year-long communication plan updated for the 25/26 Academic Year.
    • All students received a minimum of seven messages this term.
    • Seven custom messages were sent to specific subsets of the student population to remind them of actions they need to take.

In Progress

  • Assessment of the 24/25 Academic Year outcomes.
    • On pause due to Senior Data and Research Analyst position vacancy
  • OSS Progression Team connecting to drop-out alerts and students identified as needing support by the Bot.
  • DOSL receiving and connecting with students who trigger mental health and violence alerts.

Project Health

  • Possible future integrations with Slate
  • Technology renewed for 2 years

Project Team

Sponsor: VPSS
Project Lead: Andrea Garrity
Project Manager: Beth Harris
Team: Michael Mitchell, Alice Wang, Noah Spencer, Alicia Wolverton, Beth Harris, Brenna Whitton
Collaborators: Office of Information Technology, Registrar's Office, Student Financial Services, Undergraduate Academic Advising