higher education

Georgia Southern University uses DRUID Conversational Business App to revolutionize student engagement and operations

Using DRUID’s technology, Georgia Southern University built a conversational AI solution that revolutionized campus communications and operations, significantly enhancing engagement and efficiency and leading to increased enrollment.

Meeting Digital Natives on Their Own Terms - How Universities are Modernizing Interaction and Engagement

Raised in an era of smartphones and instant messaging, even before arriving on campus, the new generation of students has a clear vision of what they expect from their university experience: immediate access, round-the-clock support, and digital connectivity that mirrors their online lives. 

These digital natives demand an educational environment that not only acknowledges but embraces their need for swift, seamless interaction with information and services. In response, universities must explore the frontiers of technology, identifying conversational AI as a critical tool to meet these expectations head-on. This strategic embrace of conversational AI is a pivotal step for universities, bridging the gap between students' digital expectations and the reality of campus services to ensure a more connected and responsive experience.

The Challenge

Like many other higher education institutions, Georgia Southern University found itself struggling with the complexities of managing communication within an evolving digital landscape. Tasked with catering to a new generation of students — digital natives who expect immediate, around-the-clock access to information and services — the university grappled with how to adapt its traditional modes of engagement to meet these demands. 

The existing SMS-based communication system, once a cornerstone of the university's outreach efforts, had become a symbol of the challenges at hand: it was limited in functionality, difficult to maintain, and increasingly disconnected from the expectations of its users. This system required significant manual management, often by senior staff, leading to inefficiencies and a drain on valuable resources. Moreover, the university faced the broader challenge of enhancing its service delivery without exponentially increasing costs or administrative burdens.

  • Key wins

  • Main goals

  • Testimonial

Boosting student enrollment and retention with DRUID conversational AI and integrations

The adoption of DRUID conversational AI and digital workspaces at Georgia Southern University has significantly improved engagement, streamlined processes, and expanded service access for students and staff.

Key wins:

  • Significantly improved student and staff engagement, delivering instant, personalized responses that align with the digital expectations of the university community.
  • Streamlined administrative processes and reduced manual intervention, enhancing the efficiency and productivity of university operations.
  • Expanded access to university services around the clock, ensuring students and staff have continuous support and information, fostering a more connected campus environment.

Revolutionizing Student Engagement and Operational Efficiency

Georgia Southern University aimed to elevate student satisfaction, automate administrative tasks, and enhance service accessibility while optimizing costs.

  • Increase student satisfaction and engagement through updated, instant communication methods.
  • Reduce manual oversight by automating administrative tasks.
  • Improve service accessibility and responsiveness for the university community.
  • Optimize operational efficiency without escalating costs.

"Choosing DRUID as our partner marked a significant shift in our approach to campus communication. Moving from a basic SMS system to a comprehensive conversational AI with DRUID allowed us to vastly improve how we interact with students and staff. This technology enabled us to consolidate various services under the GUS platform, making information and assistance more accessible and responsive. DRUID's solution was exactly what we needed to enhance our communication capabilities in a way that was both innovative and practical. It's not just about the technology; it's about how we use it to better serve our university community."

Benjamin Duggar
Executive Director of IT Solutions Management, Georgia Southern University 

 

The Solution

Seeking to answer these needs, Georgia Southern University turned to DRUID to co-create a conversational AI solution that would effectively and efficiently answer its needs. The virtual assistant GUS was conceived as a bridge between the university's traditional means of student engagement and the digital immediacy modern students demand. GUS was designed to seamlessly integrate with the university’s existing digital infrastructure, enabling instant, 24/7 access to information and services for students and staff. This initiative marked a pivotal departure from the limitations of traditional SMS communication, aiming to provide a more dynamic, responsive, and interactive platform. 

DRUID's expertise was instrumental in tailoring a solution that not only matched but exceeded the capabilities of the university's previous system. GUS brought together advanced features such as campaign management, survey administration, and an array of HR functionalities, all within an intuitive conversational interface powered by AI. This innovative approach allowed for a significant reduction in manual processes and elevated the overall efficiency of university operations. The virtual assistant was meticulously designed to understand and process inquiries in natural language, offering personalized responses and guidance across a wide spectrum of university life—from enrolment questions to HR inquiries.  

The successful implementation of GUS by DRUID at Georgia Southern University showcases the transformative potential of conversational AI in the educational sector. Looking ahead, the university plans to expand GUS's capabilities further, leveraging this technology to proactively address student and staff needs, thereby reinforcing Georgia Southern's commitment to innovation and excellence in the digital age.

Learnings

The adoption of conversational AI within the higher education sector underscores a broader trend toward digital transformation, reflecting the changing expectations of both students and staff for immediate, accessible, and personalized communication. This movement towards AI-driven solutions demonstrates the technology's potential to not only enhance operational efficiency but also to significantly improve the user experience. As educational institutions continue to navigate the complexities of digital engagement, the success of such initiatives offers valuable insights into the strategic integration of technology. These advancements highlight the importance of adaptability and the willingness to embrace innovative solutions in meeting the evolving demands of the educational landscape.

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CASE STUDY

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