SMS Chatbot: Victor E. Bot

Project Status: Maintenance

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

90% opt-in rate and 56% student engagement
Partnered with the Career Center, UAA, Portland Scholars Program, 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 on pause, internal report is still desired but does not have a timeline as of now.
OSS Progression Team connecting to drop-out alerts and students identified as needing support by the Bot.
DOSL receives and connects with students who trigger mental health and violence alerts.
Planning for next year will be completed over the summer.

Project Health

Possible future integrations with Slate
Technology renewed for 2 years (AY 25/26 and 26/27)

Project Team

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