Empowering Student Success with AI-Driven Support Tools
- published: 2025/02/25
AI is revolutionizing how universities support students on their academic journeys. By integrating generative AI into advising, learning resources, and classroom tools, the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) is leading the charge in leveraging technology to foster student success. Here, we highlight three innovative projects that enhance the student experience with personalized and efficient AI applications.
Custom GPT for Counting Seat Availability
Project Lead: Huai-Mei Furman
Advisors often face time-consuming challenges when manually checking seat availability for high-demand general education courses. To address this, Huai-Mei Furman is creating custom GPTs that will streamline the process, saving hundreds of hours during peak advising seasons. These GPTs will allow advisors to quickly and accurately check seat availability, ensuring students enroll in the courses they need without unnecessary delays. By improving operational efficiency, this tool promises to enhance the overall advising experience and simplify course selection for students.
Enhanced Learner Autonomy with Custom GPT for MLTI 3000
Project Lead: April Paschall
In the Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies program, fostering learner autonomy is key. April Paschall’s project involves developing a custom GPT chatbot tailored to the MLTI 3000 Multidisciplinary Foundations Seminar. Designed as a “three before me” resource, the chatbot empowers students to independently navigate course materials, clarify assignment requirements, and access syllabus details. By providing just-in-time information and streamlining access to essential course content, the chatbot reduces cognitive load for adult learners who are often balancing academic with work, family, and other responsibilities. This support structure not only enhances learner confidence and self-efficacy but also promotes self-directed learning and improves the overall academic experience by making learning more accessible and manageable.
Grace Abbott School of Social Work Chatbot
Project Lead: Katie Robbins
Social work students often have multiple points of contact for admissions, advising, and practicum support, which can lead to confusion and inefficiencies. Katie Robbins’ initiative introduces a chatbot to the Grace Abbott School of Social Work website. This AI-powered assistant provides timely, accurate answers to common student questions, such as how to submit practicum learning contracts or locate resources. By streamlining communication and reducing misdirected inquiries, the chatbot increases efficiency for faculty and staff while improving the support experience for social work students.
About the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.