Student Success

people sitting on the steps of the urban plaza outside

SMS Chatbot - Victor E. Bot

Project Status: Implementation/Launch

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

  • Contract executed
  • IT Review completed
  • Implementation team formed 
  • IT integration; configure student data file; dashboard settings
  • Student data uploaded
  • Built knowledge base
  • Developed Textbot name 
  • Early October 2023 Launch
  • 91% opt in rate and 57% student engagement
  • Web Bot Launch Feb 2024
    • Temporary mascot image acquired from UComm
  • Partnered with the Career Center, TRSRC, and Financial Aid to create custom campaigns for targeted groups of students.

In Progress

  • Developing ongoing communication plans and custom campaigns.
    • Year-long communication plan being created for the 24/25 Academic Year
  • 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.
  • myPSU integration

Project Team

Sponsor: Erica Wagner
Project Lead: Andrea Garrity
Project Manager: Beth Harris
Team: Michael Mitchell, Cori Watkins, Alice Wang, Noah Spencer, Taylor Burke, Aimme Shattuck, Becki Ingersoll, Eleanor Hart, Megan Looney, Nicolle DuPont, Shoshana Zeisman-Pereyo, Beth Harris
Collaborators: Office of Information Technology, Registrar's Office, Student Financial Services, Advising and Career Services