Register for the UIA National Summit HERE!
Our online University Innovation Lab is now open to institutions nationwide! Find out more>>

Our Work

In 2019, the UIA launched a chatbot initiative to scale the use of AI-based technology to improve student access to information and reduce communication bottlenecks.
  • 11
    campuses

    implementing chatbots in key areas including financial aid, student services, and admissions.

  • 840
    staff hours

    one campus’s estimate of staff time saved per year as a result of chatbot use.

  • -21.4%
    summer melt

    on one campus, including +3.3% increase in enrollment.

  • 75%
    inquiries handled

    without human intervention, according to one participating campus.

In 2019, the UIA launched an effort to engage emerging scholars at member institutions in research on UIA projects and campus student success initiatives.
In 2018, the UIA launched a college to career redesign (“Bridging the Gap from Education to Employment”) initiative to apply the use of process mapping and design thinking to career services. Our goal is to develop new tools and strategies to support low-income students and students of color as they transition to the workforce.
  • 1,947
    students

    engaged in design thinking and pilot testing new models

  • 33
    employers

    engaged through robust campus partnerships

  • 7
    career readiness interventions

    piloted across the country

In 2017, the UIA launched a three-year completion grants initiative to support students facing modest financial hurdles that restrict their ability to enroll, persist, and complete their degree.
  • $3.6
    million

    in completion grants awarded.

  • 5,000
    students

    awarded grants.

  • 83%
    retained & graduated

    within 2 semesters.

In 2016, the UIA launched a federally-funded randomized-control trial to study the impact of proactive advising on GPA, retention, and graduation for first-generation and Pell-eligible students.
  • 5
    campuses

    showed positive results after the 3-year intervention, and the 3 institutions with the highest degree of implementation fidelity show statistically significant results.

  • 3
    institutions

    with statistically significant results all maintained maintained small advisor caseloads of 1:150, a consistent calendar of targeted analysis and outreach, predictive data tracking and early alerts, and regular degree planning with students.

  • +
    positive outcomes

    included higher credit success rates, increased credit accumulation, and higher GPAs when compared to the control group. 

In 2015, the UIA launched a predictive analytics initiative focused on increasing student outcomes by leveraging institutional data to identify early alerts that generate proactive interventions.
  • 21%
    increase

    in Pell graduates after implementing predictive analytics.

  • 200%
    increase

    in advising participation among students receiving targeted outreach.

Stay Current! Check out our Blog Go Now

or check our videos YouTube