Upswing Helps HBCU Retain Students and Save Money

Concurrent Session 3

Brief Abstract

Upswing will review its success with NC A&T to provide 24/7 on-demand tutoring and student support through Ana, our virtual SMS assistant. These efforts resulted in tuition saved and student retained.

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Kelly Nordstrom, Upswing International, Inc.

Seasoned SAAS business development executive with over ten years of experience in the higher education tech industry. Proven success in university partnerships and enterprise sales, driving market growth, and forging partnerships with key partners. Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities and create long-term value for organizations.

Extended Abstract

Rapid growth for NC A&T resulted in increased challenges for its Center for Academic Excellence. By partnering with Upswing to provide 24/7 tutoring through Upswing tutors and campus tutors and engagement and outreach through Ana, Upswing’s virtual SMS assistant, NC A&T were able to retain more students and save money that would have normally been lost. During this presentation, Upswing will review how its unique approach to student support enhanced current campus resources to provide students the academic and emotional support they needed to stay in their programs and ultimately be more successful. We’ll review the case study data as well as how Upswing’s products remove traditional barriers to online academic support. Additionally, we’ll review how Ana, Upswing’s virtual SMS assistant is uniquely positioned to escalate student issues, provide insight into student emotional well-being, and ultimately helps to retain even more students than academic support alone.