In higher education, the challenges keep mounting: rising expectations for personalized support, the pressure to improve outcomes, and dwindling resources. Yet, these pressures present an opportunity to rethink how institutions approach advising and student success.
What if, instead of “doing more with less,” we expanded what’s possible? By combining human expertise with the power of artificial intelligence (AI), we can craft an approach where advisors connect with students when it matters most, amplifying both efficiency and impact.
Combine What You Know with What You Don’t
AI isn’t here to replace human advisors—it’s here to enhance them. By automating routine workflows and augmenting decision-making processes, AI allows educators and advisors to focus their time and energy on impactful, human-to-human interactions.
Instead of simply taking tasks off the table, think of AI as a tool to do more of the things that matter most. It’s not about stepping back; it’s about stepping forward, empowered with better tools, more time, and actionable insights.
For example, AI can:
- Identify critical moments for student intervention, alerting advisors when their expertise is needed.
- Support thoughtful engagement by automating routine communications like deadline reminders or follow-ups.
- Elevate decision-making with data-driven insights that flag at-risk students or highlight opportunities for personalized outreach.
Unbundling and Rebundling: A New Workflow
A modern advising strategy isn’t just about “freeing up time” or “answering FAQs”—it’s about transforming workflows to focus on value-driven outcomes. Here’s how AI and humans collaborate:
- What AI Does Well:
Automate routine processes like analyzing data, sending reminders, and initiating low-stakes communications.
Proactively identify moments for intervention, ensuring students stay on track toward their goals. - What Humans Excel At:
Deliver nuanced, empathetic support during critical or sensitive moments.
Build lasting, trust-based relationships that motivate students to persist.
This hybrid approach isn’t about replacing advisors; it’s about making their work more impactful. AI accelerates human-to-human connections, creating opportunities to deepen conversations and focus on strategic goals.
Case Spotlight
Georgia State University (GSU)
Georgia State University redefined student success by using AI to amplify, not replace, its advisors. GSU’s chatbot, Pounce, proactively engaged with 98% of students while escalating more complex cases to advisors.
“The purpose wasn’t to replace the human touch,” explains a GSU advisor. “It was to ensure that advisors spent their time with students who needed it most, right when it mattered.”
This strategic partnership between AI and advisors increased on-time enrollment rates by 3.3 percentage points, proving that AI-driven strategies can deliver real results while preserving empathy and connection​​​.
Shrinking the Middle
The Bottom Line Model
Steve Colón, CEO of Bottom Line, describes their approach as “shrinking the middle.” Advisors used AI to reduce time spent identifying which students needed help and refocusing efforts on direct engagement.
“By strategically deploying AI to manage repetitive tasks, advisors gained an additional eight hours per week for 1:1 conversations,” Colón notes. “That’s time spent on deeper connections and higher-value support.”
AI handled tasks like summarizing past interactions and keeping conversations moving, allowing advisors to seamlessly pick up where the chatbot left off. This model scaled their ability to provide personalized guidance without sacrificing quality.
Performance Metrics: AI-Enhanced Success
Institutions adopting a human-AI hybrid model report:
- Improved Retention Rates: Early interventions informed by AI insights keep students engaged.
- Higher Engagement: Timely reminders and follow-ups drive better student responsiveness.
- Increased Graduation Rates: AI-human collaboration ensures students stay on track to completion.
Reimagine What’s Possible
AI isn’t about doing less—it’s about expanding your impact. By combining your expertise with AI’s capabilities, you create a workflow that scales efficiently while prioritizing human connection.
It’s time to rethink what’s possible for student success. Ready to combine what you know with what you don’t?