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1. Problem Statement
1. Problem Statement
University students face challenges in accessing fragmented and non-centralized academic, career, and mental health support services, which hinders their ability to obtain the necessary assistance.
2. Personas
2. Personas
Emily, a junior student
Emily, a junior student
Name: Emily
Age: 20
Year: Junior
Major: Computer Science
Emily is a hardworking junior studying computer science. She juggles a heavy course load, a part-time internship at a tech company, and involvement in the computer science student club. Despite her ambition, Emily has struggled at times to keep up with all her responsibilities.
One area Emily has had particular trouble with is finding the right support resources on campus. For example, she recently missed the deadline to apply for a prestigious scholarship because she didn't know it existed. Emily also wanted to get involved in a computer science research project, but she couldn't figure out how to connect with the right faculty advisor. She feels like she is constantly playing catch-up and missing out on valuable opportunities.
Emily wishes navigating campus resources was more straightforward. She dreams of a centralized hub where she can access tailored recommendations and support based on her specific needs and goals as a computer science student.
Sarah Johnson, university program administrator
Sarah Johnson, university program administrator
Name: Sarah Johnson
Title: Program administrator, Faculty of Engineering
Experience: 7 years
As a program administrator in the Faculty of Engineering, Sarah Johnson is responsible for providing guidance and support to hundreds of students. Sarah is deeply committed to helping her students succeed, but she often feels overwhelmed by the large volume of inquiries and requests she receives on a daily basis.
Sarah's inbox is flooded with similar questions from students - How do I declare a computer science minor? What research opportunities are available this summer? Where can I find internships in my field? While Sarah strives to respond to each student individually, the repetitive nature of these queries makes it challenging for her to provide the personalized attention she'd like.
Furthermore, Sarah struggles to keep track of all the university-wide resources and programs available across the institution. She knows there are scholarships, career services, and research projects that could greatly benefit her students, but it's difficult for her to stay up-to-date and make timely referrals. As a result, Sarah worries that many of her students are missing out on valuable opportunities.
Sarah believes implementing a more centralized system for student support could transform the way she and her colleagues serve their students. This would not only save Sarah’s time but also ensure her students receive the tailored guidance they need to thrive.
3. Research Questions
3. Research Questions
Q1: What are the primary challenges faced by university students in accessing academic, career, and mental health support services?
Q1: What are the primary challenges faced by university students in accessing academic, career, and mental health support services?
What do I already know?
University support services are often fragmented and not centralized, making it difficult for students to access the help they need.
What do I still need to find out?
Specific pain points and barriers that students face when trying to access these support services.
The effectiveness of current university support services from the students' perspective.
Students' preferences for how they would like to access these resources.
How will I find out?
Literature review:
Review academic articles, reports, and studies on the challenges faced by university students in accessing support services.
Survey to university students:
Develop and distribute a survey to gather data on students' experiences, challenges, and preferences regarding academic, career, and mental health support services.
Q2: How can technology and AI-driven insights enhance personalized support for university students?
Q2: How can technology and AI-driven insights enhance personalized support for university students?
What do I already know?
“NYU Mobile” is the official app designed to enhance the experience of students at NYU. It consolidates existing university resources but does not provide any tailor-made or AI-driven insights.
AI has the potential to analyze large datasets to identify patterns and trends that can inform personalized support.
AI can be used to predict academic performance, identify at-risk students, and recommend tailored interventions.
What do I still need to find out?
How interested and comfortable students are in using an app/online platform to receive tailor-made recommendations and access relevant university resources.
Specific types of data that can be effectively used by AI to personalize support (e.g. academic performance metrics, LMS data, self-reported survey data).
Best practices for integrating AI-driven insights with existing university support services.
The effectiveness of AI-driven personalized support compared to traditional methods.
How will I find out?
Literature review:
Review academic articles, case studies, and reports on the use of AI in higher education, focusing on personalized support and predictive analytics.
Desktop research:
Research existing policies and best practices at NYU (if any) for utilizing and incorporating AI in education.
Survey to university students:
Include questions in the survey about students' openness to AI-driven support and their preferences for using an app/online platform for this purpose.
4. Significance
4. Significance
(a) Enhancement of University Student Support Services
(a) Enhancement of University Student Support Services
By identifying the primary challenges students face in accessing support services, this research will provide valuable insights to help higher education streamline and improve its support offerings, leading to more effective resource allocation and better student outcomes.
(b) Leveraging Technology and AI for Personalized Support
(b) Leveraging Technology and AI for Personalized Support
The research aims to explore how technology, particularly AI-driven insights, can be utilized to enhance personalized support for students. By understanding the potential of AI to analyze data and provide tailored recommendations, universities can develop innovative solutions that address individual student needs more effectively.
(c) Informing Policy and Practice in Higher Education
(c) Informing Policy and Practice in Higher Education
The findings from this research will contribute to the field of integrating AI and technology in higher education. This can inform policy and best practices at universities, serving as a foundation for developing more innovative, accessible, and efficient support systems in higher education.
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