AI-Based Chatbots in Higher Education: Transform Your Student Support Services Now!
Today’s students are used to having technology at their fingertips. From ordering food to booking flight tickets, or gathering information about anything in this world, they are used to having it all in the blink of an eye! They want answers to their questions, and they want them now.
With that context, imagine a prospective student browsing your website in the middle of the night and suddenly have questions. If you miss the opportunity to correctly answer these questions, you might end up losing that student. So how do you ensure steady support that can satisfy the varied needs of students at any time and all the time?
The answer lies in AI-Powered Chatbots.
As the name suggests, Chatbots are chatting applications that hold the ability to carry out a full conversation with a human. They communicate with users, in this case, students and assist them with their different queries 24X7X365. They can provide information quickly and add a personalised touch to their interaction. AI-enabled chatbots intelligently recognise the problem statement, access it and respond to it in a satisfactory manner.
Institutions can leverage AI-powered chatbots to:
- Improve students access to information
Chatbots possess the ability to immediately respond to students’ queries at any time of the day or night. It doesn’t matter if the student query revolves around admissions, finance, courses selection, schedule, or anything else, chatbots provide immediate access to information, making self-serving more streamlined and appealing.
- Enhance student engagement and experience
Not only do chatbots provide instant access to information, but they also open new doors for student engagement. They add a personalised touch to the entire communication and some of the best AI chatbots even allow students to select their preferred language for interaction. It is the constant communication, and relevant answers, that can put students at ease and improve their campus life. Students don’t have to wait ages, standing in line for information.
- Gather valuable data
AI bots serve another purpose too. Over the duration of their interactions with candidates and students, they gather large amounts of data. Institutions can leverage data points to improve their services. Examples of some types of data that chatbots can gather include:
– Demographic & psychographic data: Institutions can get a better idea about who is applying to and attending their schools. Their conversations allow institutions to gather and analyse data such as ages, learning goals and backgrounds of prospective students as well as gather insight into individual interests and hobbies.
– Student pain points: Chatbot conversations allow institutions to examine questions or concerns that commonly surface through the messaging tool. Institutions can use this information to develop and deliver better experiences.
It is important to note here that the use of chatbot for higher education does not replace the existing staff but saves them from the mundane task of answering the same questions again and again. This opens new opportunities for the exiting staff to focus on critical matters that require their physical attention. In short, institutions can benefit from them in many unique ways.
Anthony Banford is an esteemed executive with 19 years of experience in technology, consulting, and education. He begins his latest chapter as Chief Revenue Officer at BlackBeltHelp, aiming to innovate in the higher education support industry. His move follows a successful stint as Head of Revenue at StudentBridge since March 2023, where he significantly contributed to the company’s merger with Full Measure Education, enhancing its service offerings.
Todd Hollrah joins BlackBeltHelp bringing 25+ years of experience managing service delivery operations for several Fortune 500 clients around the globe. After a distinguished career as an executive in the BPO industry, Todd will provide critical insight into building an exceptional customer experience combining both live voice and automated solutions.
Inspired by a family computer that always needed fixing, Chris Uthe has submerged himself in business and technology for the last 20 years. His first company, a PC repair and networking business, was started at just 16 and successfully fueled a deep interest in solving problems as he helped business customers throughout his hometown adopt technology into their business. He would go on to successfully run a media & managed IT company before joining the Ed Tech industry with a successful 13-year tenure within an ERP/SIS company leading the Student Portal & Learning Management division. His last startup, EdSolio, helped to fuel the winds of competency-based education by providing a comprehensive view of a student’s work and achievements. Chris is now focused on creating successful learners by ensuring the highest quality help and support through the use of AI backed toolsets spending the last 3 years in the student engagement and support markets.
Quaiser Absar is the Chief Technology Officer and Director of Institutional Computing at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia.
Bringing in over 2 decades of experience with him, Manish has ensured seamless operations in terms of client delivery, reporting & analytics, quality, training, and transitions with a special focus on technical integrations to help reduce costs and improve the bottom-line.
Anthony has served higher education in diverse, leadership roles for over 30 years and has helped organizations thrive through his expertise in developing, analyzing, and executing growth strategies. Prior to joining BlackBeltHelp, he served in College Administration as well as in leadership roles within Blackboard Student Services and Ellucian, Inc.
Accomplished IT Specialist and Manager with extensive experience in a higher education setting and demonstrated abilities to effectively manage both student and professional staff. Self-motivated problem solver, who is skilled in managing many issues and prioritizing their importance to find resolutions in a timely and effective manner. Possesses strong abilities to adapt to new technologies by extrapolating from existing experience. Possess first-rate communication and collaboration skills to work with diverse groups effectively.
Lila Buytendorp has been serving as the Director of User Services at Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) since 2000. In this role she is responsible for staff & lab desktop computing and end user support. She guides and supports technology based on the curriculum needs and ensures technology is implemented to support the emerging needs of the college. She builds and supports integrated systems to improve efficiencies and uses technologies to support data-driven decision making. Lila is a member of the Capital Projects Planning and Design Committee to ensure new or remodeled facilities have appropriate technology.