Inboxes are ignored. Portals are confusing. Deadlines get missed.
But a well-timed, friendly text? That cuts through.
At Mainstay, we’ve found that short, informal messages—delivered via conversational AI—can dramatically improve student outcomes. And now, the research backs it up.
Here’s what makes Mainstay’s approach different—and why it works:
It’s trained on your knowledge base, not the internet. Our GenAI delivers responses aligned with your policies, support services, and tone—so students get clear, helpful answers that reflect your institution.
It comes with guardrails. Sensitive topics—like mental health, financial distress, or personal hardship—are automatically flagged for human review. You stay in control of how and when to escalate.
It’s proactive, personal, and proven. Mainstay doesn’t wait for students to raise their hands. Our AI checks in, offers support, and sparks action—at scale.
Backed by Research: Students Respond to Proactive, Personalized Nudges
A recent peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Student Success and Retention found that students are significantly more likely to engage when AI-powered messages are task-specific, context-aware, and delivered proactively—especially when the tone is informal and conversational.
That’s exactly how Mainstay works: our messages are triggered by real student status data and written to feel like part of a trusted, ongoing conversation.
Informal ≠ Unprofessional
Informal ≠ UnprofessionalUsing “u” instead of “you” might seem small—but it’s strategic.
Informal language reduces friction, builds trust, and boosts comprehension. It feels like a conversation—not a command. And when students feel like they’re being spoken with, not at—they respond.
Case Study: Georgia State University
To reduce summer melt, Georgia State used Mainstay’s conversational AI to follow up with admitted students using personalized, low-barrier messages like:
“Hey Jaya, Pounce here
Just saw you haven’t uploaded your ID yet for orientation—want a hand with that?”The message is short, friendly, and rooted in context. It doesn’t just ask for compliance—it invites a conversation. And because it’s tied to real-time progress, it helps students overcome barriers before they become blockers.
The results:
21% reduction in summer melt 3.3 percentage point increase in enrollment Personalized support delivered without burdening staff
SPARK: Mainstay’s Framework for Student Connection
Every Mainstay campaign is built using our SPARK model:
Change happens when people feel understood. Mainstay builds the trust needed to help learners take action.
Engaging with learners before challenges escalate. Mainstay anticipates needs and offers timely support to encourage students to stay on track and to ward off potential setbacks.
Empowering students to make their own decisions. Mainstay fosters autonomy by providing tools and resources that help learners make informed choices relevant to their academic and personal development.
Encouraging students to rethink situations positively. Mainstay aids in building resilience by helping learners see challenges as opportunities for growth.
Clarity is key. Mainstay ensures that all messages are concise, clear, and to the point, removing barriers to understanding and action, thus boosting the likelihood of student engagement and success.
The Bottom Line
Informal, proactive texts work because they:
Meet students where they are—on their phones
Deliver guidance in a relatable, digestible way
Are informed by behavioral science, not guesswork
Drive measurable improvements in enrollment, retention, and support
Scale human connection—without losing the human
Ready to make every message count?
Let’s build a communication strategy that supports students and sparks action—one well-timed text at a time.