January 24, 2025
Text with Willie: Next AI texting tool connects first-year students to resources
Submitted by Division of Academic Success and Student Affairs
Texts from Willie? No, it's not spam — it's K-State's new AI-based virtual assistant designed to help first-year students connect with campus resources.
Academic and Career Engagement has partnered with education company EdSights to bring the new tool to campus. Launching the week of Jan. 27, Willie will check in periodically with students, answer their questions and connect them to campus resources.
Available to first-year students, Willie engages with students directly on their phones while providing an insight into student needs. It's an on-demand, 24/7 service that can help students address challenges and get the help they need, when they need it.
"We're excited to partner with EdSights to bring Willie directly to students," said Bill Watts, associate vice president of academic and career engagement. "We'll be able to quickly identify barriers that students might be facing and connect them to the resources they need to succeed."
Next week, Willie will send an introductory "hello" text to first-year students. Students may need to update their phone numbers in KSIS to meet and chat with Willie. From there, students can add Willie to their contact list. The bot will also check in with students periodically.
To learn more about the platform, visit k-state.edu/students. Questions can be directed to studentsuccess@k-state.edu.
While Willie is currently available to first-year students, there are other resources available to all students. If students have questions but aren't sure where to get answers, they can use Navigate's I Need Help feature. By submitting an I Need Help alert, students will be connected to a campus staff member within two business days who can provide non-emergency personalized support for academic, financial and well-being concerns.