3 Colleges Using AI to Revolutionize Enrollment — and the Numbers to Prove It

What if your admissions team could save thousands of hours, personalize every student interaction, and boost enrollment numbers — all with the power of AI? 

Institutions like Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), College of Western Idaho (CWI), and Kellogg Community College are are proving that smarter tools lead to better results.

From AI-driven chatbots acting as 24/7 assistants to real-time data insights that transform outreach strategies, these schools are leveraging Element451 to redefine the admissions process. Their experiences highlight key lessons in automation, customization, and staff empowerment that any institution can learn from.

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AI-Powered Insights You Need to Know:

• AI in Higher Education: SEMO’s "Sadie" bot and CWI’s AI-powered tools have drastically streamlined processes, saving significant time and resources.
• Customization is Key: Tailored AI teams (SEMO) and custom applications (Kellogg) demonstrate the importance of meeting the unique needs of diverse student populations.
• Empowering Staff: Element451’s user-friendly tools empower staff to make real-time adjustments without relying heavily on IT teams.
• Proactive Engagement: Institutions like SEMO and CWI are using data-driven insights to improve outreach, from automating emails to personalized event invitations.
• Direct Admissions Success: SEMO's direct admissions program removes barriers for students, simplifying the process and increasing accessibility.
• Ongoing Iteration: All three schools prioritize constant improvement, leveraging technology to adapt to students' evolving needs.

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How SEMO Optimizes AI for Student Engagement

At Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), AI isn’t just a buzzword — it’s an integral part of their admissions strategy. Claire Skelton, Assistant Director of Content Marketing, shared how SEMO launched "Sadie," an AI-powered chatbot tailored to meet the needs of different student groups, including international, online, and first-time students.

Practical Steps:

• Define key student groups and customize chatbot responses accordingly.
• Continuously train the chatbot based on real-time student inquiries.
• Track and analyze chatbot interactions to identify areas for improvement.

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SEMO’s customized AI teams address specific concerns for these populations, improving accuracy and relevance in responses. By treating AI like an "intern," the team trains it continuously, ensuring Sadie evolves with each interaction. This human-AI partnership has saved SEMO approximately 65,000 staff hours in just three months, freeing up the admissions team to focus on more nuanced student support.

Looking ahead, SEMO is exploring AI-driven voice assistants to proactively call students, aiming to ease anxieties about reaching out and provide a more accessible application experience.

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CWI’s Strategy for Staff Buy-In and AI Efficiency

Luis Caloca, Dean of Student Access at the College of Western Idaho, revealed how his team achieved incredible results by fostering buy-in for Element451. CWI ensured staff felt confident using the platform through dedicated Friday training sessions and ongoing communication.

Element451’s AI tools were crucial in automating routine tasks, such as email follow-ups, allowing staff to focus on personalized interactions. CWI made immediate adjustments to its application forms by analyzing real-time student behavior, reducing friction, and boosting application yield rates by an estimated 20%.

Practical Steps:

• Schedule regular staff training sessions to increase comfort with AI tools.
• Establish clear communication channels for staff feedback and concerns.
• Use AI-driven data to make immediate adjustments to processes and forms.

A standout success for CWI was its event attendance, which skyrocketed from 88 to 250 students after implementing personalized, AI-driven outreach campaigns. Even students who didn’t RSVP showed up, demonstrating the power of targeted communication in driving engagement.

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Kellogg Community College Empowers Staff with Element451

Jenni Katowski, Director of Admissions at Kellogg Community College, highlighted the transformative impact of Element451 on their admissions process. The platform’s flexibility and ease of use allowed Kellogg’s team to operate independently of IT, enabling them to customize applications for traditional, dual-enrollment, and selective programs like nursing.

Element451’s automation capabilities were game-changing for Kellogg, particularly in communication workflows. Emails tailored to individual students achieved open rates of 82%, ensuring timely and relevant outreach. This not only streamlined processes but also enhanced the student experience by reducing application times to under four minutes.

Practical Steps:

• Choose AI platforms that allow for customization without heavy IT involvement.
• Implement automated workflows to streamline application processes.
• Regularly review email engagement data to refine messaging strategies.

Jenni emphasized the importance of using data to inform decisions. By analyzing email engagement and student interactions, the team continues to refine its strategies, ensuring that technology works in service of both staff and students.

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Why Personalized Communication is Non-Negotiable

Across all three institutions, one theme stands out: personalization drives results. Whether it’s SEMO’s AI-driven email campaigns, CWI’s targeted event outreach, or Kellogg’s dynamic workflows, tailored communication ensures students feel supported at every stage of their journey.

For enrollment professionals, this episode highlights the importance of leveraging technology to meet students where they are — whether that’s answering a late-night question via chatbot or sending a reminder about an upcoming deadline.

By integrating tools like Element451 and embracing a mindset of constant improvement, SEMO, CWI, and Kellogg Community College are setting new standards for admissions in higher education. Want to learn how your institution can do the same? Head to Element451.com today. 

How Your Institution Can Get Started

1. Start Small: Implement scalable AI tools like chatbots or automated email workflows to handle repetitive tasks and build efficiencies over time.
2. Prioritize Training: Ensure staff feel confident using AI platforms through regular training and ongoing support.
3. Leverage Data: Use AI-driven insights to refine outreach strategies, reduce friction, and enhance the student experience.

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FAQs

1. How can smaller institutions with limited budgets start implementing AI in admissions?
Smaller institutions can start by adopting affordable, scalable AI tools like chatbots or automated email workflows to handle repetitive tasks and build efficiencies gradually.

2. What challenges should schools anticipate when adopting AI in admissions?
Institutions may face challenges like staff training, ensuring data accuracy, and balancing automation with personalized human interactions, but these can be mitigated with proper planning and iterative implementation.