When prospective students visit a college website, they often need answers immediately.
Questions about programs, admissions requirements, transfer credits, tuition, and enrollment timelines can determine whether a student moves forward or moves on.
Southern New Hampshire University is using artificial intelligence to ensure students receive support when they need it, while helping staff spend more time on the human-centered work that drives student success.
Helping students get answers faster
SNHU launched an AI-powered virtual assistant in early 2025 to help prospective students quickly find information about programs, admissions, enrollment, and university services.
The tool uses a compliance-first approach. General questions draw from approved website content, while sensitive topics rely on human-approved responses and additional safeguards.
This mean faster access to information for students and families while allowing university staff to focus on more complex conversations that require personal guidance.
Creating more time for student support
SNHU has also deployed Microsoft Copilot to more than 5,000 employees through a phased rollout focused on training and responsible adoption.
Staff use AI to summarize meetings, streamline communications, synthesize information, and reduce administrative workload.
While these efficiencies happen behind the scenes, the benefit for students is straightforward: advisor and support teams can spend more time helping learners and less time on repetitive tasks.
Expanding personalized learning
The university is also piloting learner-facing AI tools through partnerships with organizations such as Latimer and OpenAI.
The goal is providing more personalized support, expanding access to learning resources, and creating educational experiences that reflect how students will use technology in the workforce.
Faculty oversight remains central, with AI designed to support instruction rather than replace it.
Building for the future
SNHU’s AI strategy extends beyond tools. The university recently completed a six-week AI Bootcamp for its Executive Council, helping senior leaders develop the knowledge and practical experience needed to guide responsible adoption across the institution.
Successful AI implementation requires both technology and institutional capability.
The bottom line
Students benefit when they can get answers faster, access support more easily, and receive more personalized learning experiences.
Across its AI initiatives, SNHU is focused on using technology to strengthen human support systems, improve responsiveness, and help more students succeed.
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