The Challenge: Enhancing Engagement Amid Staffing Constraints
Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) sought to maintain high-touch engagement with prospective students and families, but their admissions team was operating under significant staffing limitations. This resulted in an overwhelming volume of repetitive questions, diverting valuable staff time from complex, relationship-building tasks. XULA needed a digital assistant that could not only provide 24/7 support but also guarantee trust and accuracy in its automated responses.
The Solution: RNL Compass and the XULA Assistant
XULA chose RNL Compass because it offers a secure, private AI environment, ensuring students receive accurate information without the risk of misuse or data vulnerability. The solution promised to offload simple inquiries and streamline processes, allowing staff to focus on critical enrollment and relationship management efforts.
Implementation and Results
Following a smooth 8-week implementation—managed by the RNL team with minimal effort required from XULA staff—the XULA Assistant was launched. The impact was immediate and dramatic:
- Significant user reach: In the first five months alone, the XULA Assistant had 466,611 conversations with students and families. The peak came in September 2025 as students settled into campus, with the Assistant handling over 130,000 conversations that month, demonstrating its critical role during high-volume periods.
- Exceptional efficiency: An impressive 99% of all conversations were handled exclusively by the XULA Assistant. This nearly complete automation eliminated the need for live staff handoffs and resulted in a dramatic reduction in the burden on the admissions and support teams.
- Valuable insight into student needs: Conversation data immediately highlighted the most critical student and family needs, proving the Assistant’s value as a direct communication channel. The most frequent topics included application assistance (18.3%), housing inquiries (6.9%), financial aid assistance (5.6%), and general program/major information (5.4%).
The most frequently asked questions demonstrate the assistant’s ability to manage critical administrative and enrollment topics:
- “Is it still possible to accept my acceptance offer?”
- “What are upcoming Alumni Trips?”
- “How can I get scholarships?”
The XULA Assistant successfully provided immediate, accurate guidance on these topics, transforming their digital experience and confirming RNL Compass as a powerful, trusted partner in achieving student success goals.
Ready to Save Time and Improve Your Student Experience with AI?
RNL Edge is a comprehensive suite of higher education AI solutions that will help you engage constituents, optimize operations, and analyze data instantly—all in a highly secure environment that keeps your institutional data safe. With limitless uses for enrollment and fundraising, RNL Edge is truly the AI solution built for the entire campus.