{"id":225663,"date":"2025-11-18T13:58:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T23:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=225663"},"modified":"2025-11-18T14:12:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T00:12:39","slug":"edsights-community-connector-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/11\/18\/edsights-community-connector-award\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> recognized for commitment to technological support for student success"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

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The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa was honored with the Community Connector Award at the 2025 EdSights PERSIST Summit in October. The award recognized UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa’s commitment to student success and innovation in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI<\/abbr>) and student voice data while fostering a culture of change and innovation, as well as the UH<\/abbr> System\u2019s continuing efforts to support students.<\/p>\n

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\u02bbBow, the AI<\/abbr> Rainbow Warrior chatbot buddy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“We\u2019re proud that this recognition highlights not just technology, but transformation,” said Kap\u0101 Oliveira, UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa interim vice provost for student success. “The EdSights partnership empowers us to use AI<\/abbr> tools to understand and support students in real time, helping us create a more connected, responsive and student-centered campus.”<\/p>\n

The UH<\/abbr> System has a five-year contract with EdSights to provide each campus with a proactive AI<\/abbr> chatbot designed to check in with students, connect them to resources and provide valuable insights into student needs.<\/p>\n

“Working closely with Kim [Siegenthaler, senior advisor to the UH<\/abbr> president], Dr. Kap\u0101 Oliveira and Wiliama Sanchez [director of student conduct and concern] has been nothing short of rewarding for our team,” said Carolina Recchi, EdSights founder and CEO<\/abbr>, in a congratulatory message to UH<\/abbr> President Wendy Hensel. “Your team\u2019s leadership truly exemplifies what\u2019s possible when institutions put students at the center of their strategy,” said Recchi. “We\u2019re proud to partner with The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa and now with the entire system and to continue supporting your important work.”<\/p>\n

Support for all 10 UH<\/abbr> campuses<\/h2>\n
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Clockwise from top left: Lehua, Niu, Manua, Ulu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As of fall 2025, all 10 UH<\/abbr> campuses feature chatbots to assist both students and human support staff.<\/p>\n

UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa\u2019s ‘Bow<\/a>, introduced in 2023, was the first UH<\/abbr> AI<\/abbr> chatbot buddy to assist students 24\/7 by answering questions, connecting them to campus resources and proactively alerting human staff if it detects the student requires additional support.<\/p>\n

In August 2025<\/a>, UH<\/abbr> Hilo (Lehua), Honolulu Community College (Niu), Kapiʻolani<\/span> CC<\/abbr> (Manu) and UH<\/abbr> Maui College (Ulu) launched their chatbots. UH<\/abbr> West Oʻahu<\/span> (Pueo), Leeward CC<\/abbr> (Ulu), Windward CC<\/abbr> (Moa), Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> CC<\/abbr> (ʻIolana) and Kauaʻi<\/span> CC<\/abbr> followed during the semester with their chatbots.<\/p>\n

Since ‘Bow launched at UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa:<\/p>\n