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.
Impact / Results
- 11campuses
implementing chatbots in key areas including financial aid, student services, and admissions.
- 840staff 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.
- 1,947students
engaged in design thinking and pilot testing new models
- 33employers
engaged through robust campus partnerships
- 7career 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.
- $3.6million
in completion grants awarded.
- 5,000students
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.
- 5campuses
showed positive results after the 3-year intervention, and the 3 institutions with the highest degree of implementation fidelity show statistically significant results.
- 3institutions
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.