Watch: UMES Webinar on Scaling Capacity with AI
Thanks for registering! Below you’ll find the on-demand recording of our webinar with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and UNCF.
In this session, Dr. Darryl Isom and Dr. Reginald Garçon share how UMES scaled student communication with conversational AI — removing barriers, freeing up staff time, and keeping students on track from enrollment through graduation.
Key Moments to Look For
95% reduction in student holds with proactive outreach
“Harry the Hawk” bot building belonging and accountability
Support for non-traditional learners with 24/7 access
More capacity for staff to focus on transformational conversations
The role of EdAdvance in launching UMES’s journey
Dr. Greg Shirley describes how Mainstay partners with colleges and universities to scale conversation and build capacity with AI.
Dr. Greg Shirley discusses the evolution of our partnership with University of Maryland Shore, made possible with funding from EdAdvance.
Dr. Reginald Garcon explains how UMES uses Mainstay’s conversations to spot student needs early, connect them with the right resources, and resolve over 95% of account holds that block registration.
Dr. Reginald Garcon discusses the ease of using the Mainstay platform to engage students in conversational AI and drive action at scale
Dr. Darryl Isom shares how “Harry the Hawk,” UMES’s 24/7 AI assistant, builds student belonging through personalized reminders and real-time responses, while creating capacity for staff by handling routine questions and routing students to targeted support when needed.
Dr. Darryl Isom shares how UMES uses interactive campaigns, micro-surveys, and behavioral nudges to keep students engaged in ongoing, personalized conversations at scale.
Next Steps
Want to see how your institution could put this approach into practice?
