Earlier this year, the Colin Powell School began working with EdSights to launch PowellMate, an AI-powered platform that uses conversational SMS texting to capture the students’ voices and uncover the challenges they face. Unlike traditional surveys, it engages students directly and continuously, providing the Powell School with real time insight into student sentiment and well being.
This tool has allowed advisors to identify struggling students, empowering them to intervene quickly and effectively. For example, since its launch this past March, PowellMate has connected 24 students reporting poor mental health to the Counseling Center, 20 students experiencing food insecurity to Benny’s Pantry and their advisors, and 24 disengaged students to academic advising. These interventions demonstrate how real time outreach prevents small issues from becoming major barriers to persistence.
By combining real time data, targeted interventions, and scalable outreach, PowellMate and EdSights have transformed student services and support. With this tool, students are heard and assisted promptly, engagement remains strong, and equity gaps are made visible and addressable. This approach not only improves retention and satisfaction but also strengthens the sense of belonging that helps students persist, thrive, and graduate. Engagement has been remarkably high, with 97% of students remaining opted in, 41% actively replying, and more than 5,500 messages exchanged since launch. This tool has allowed advisors to identify struggling students, empowering them to intervene quickly and effectively.
In order to continue improving our use and understanding of EdSight’s innovative technology, Christine Garmendiz, Fellowships and Student Success Program Manager at the Office of Student Success; and Golazin Safaeimojarad, Student Advisor, attended the PERSIST2025 conference in Dallas, Texas.
“It was incredible to see so many universities come together to explore how EdSights can better support our students,” said Garmendiz, “especially as we navigate evolving federal policies, attacks on DEI, and the many challenges we face in higher education. At the end of the day, our shared purpose remains clear: serving the students who inspire everything we do.”
