LSC-University Park, Upswing partnership features virtual assistant that promotes academic resources, campus activities

HOUSTON, Texas : If Lone Star College-University Park students need help when they struggle with a class assignment, Ana comes to the rescue, leading them to online tutors. Ana also informs students about virtual campus events taking place throughout the week. She even reminds them about upcoming college holidays.

Ana, however, isn’t a fellow LSC-University Park student. Nor is she a faculty or staff member. Instead, Ana is a virtual, artificially-intelligent assistant, a key component of Upswing, an innovative, online tutoring and academic support service. Ana virtually guides and connects students to on-campus resources such as advisers, financial aid and tutors.

Virtual student services, meetings and forums are not new to LSC-University Park, and the college is no stranger to innovation. LSC-University Park has partnered with Upswing since the service launched more than four years ago. In fact, the college was one of the first pilot campuses in Texas for Upswing, which was recently recognized nationally by Fortune magazine on its inaugural “Impact 20″ list.

“LSC-University Park is proud to be one of Upswing’s pioneering partners,” said LSC-University Park President Dr. Shah Ardalan. “Our commitment to student success and innovation is always at the forefront of our minds, so partnering with Upswing was a surefire way to create an opportunity for our students to achieve even greater levels of success. We want to thank Upswing for its dedication to helping our students persist, succeed and graduate. Working together, LSC-University Park and Upswing are creating a better future for virtual education and, most importantly, for our students.”

Matthew Ethington, an LSC-University Park student, says since starting Upswing, he’s had an easier time communicating issues he’s experiencing, and his academic performance has improved.

“Upswing has helped me to ask questions to understand the material from my ​chemistry class better,” Ethington said. “I started using Up​swing earlier this semester, about once a week. Each week we have chemistry quizzes and my grades have definitely improved, and I have a much better grip on the class material that I am learning.”

All students at LSC-University Park are eligible to use Upswing. Students only need to submit a simple form to receive an account. Once online, they work with the Student Learning Resource Center’s (SLRC) academic coaches for immediate help or at a date and time that works for them.

LSC-University Park’s success with Upswing is evidenced in student utilization of the tool. During the first semester in 2016, just under 10% of students who had logged in to the platform actually used it. In fall 2020, that number climbed to 58%.

LSC-University Park started with loading course syllabi into the Ana database, making it possible for her to send push notification reminders to students about tests and paper due dates. Ana promotes fine arts activities and student life events, sends reminders of holidays and closures, and even delivers encouraging messages throughout the semester – including final exam week.

Melvin Hines, the co-founder and CEO of Upswing, says the partnership with LSC-University Park has been critical in helping to develop the program.

“I’m grateful that LSC-University Park decided to be one of Upswing’s first partnering schools and a true pioneer and early adopter of Upswing’s integrated student success platform,” Hines said. “We share a common interest in the pursuit and use of innovation to reach non-traditional students and LSC-University Park was quick to embrace our virtual assistant, ‘Ana,’ and offering its students online options to ensure their academic success.”

Shannon Hausinger, director of the SLRC at LSC-University Park, said staff members work to support students academically and provide opportunities for engagement with other students, staff and faculty.

“Upswing provides innovative solutions to the online tutoring needs of LSC-University Park,” Hausinger said. “The partnership with Upswing is an example of that spirit of innovation.”