Mississippi State University (MSU) has reached terms on a partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Ad5 that the university said will employ artificial intelligence technologies to improve engagement with prospective students, alumni, and supporters.
The initiative – powered by AWS and the Higher Education AI platform from education technology firm Quintilian – will integrate advanced machine learning models into MSU’s existing systems, MSU said on July 25.
Those tools, the university said, will streamline student recruitment, strengthen alumni relations, improve communications, and optimize university operations.
University officials said the project is a natural fit for MSU, which is a research university that has built a reputation for excellence in STEM, high-performance computing, data science, and other technology-driven disciplines.
“This is a bold step forward in how we connect with present and future Bulldogs,” said Sid Salter, MSU’s vice president for strategic communications.
“Using AWS’s AI services, we can personalize and streamline the initial contacts and experiences with MSU and make sure that every prospective student and every member of our university community feels appreciated and understood from their very first interaction with MSU,” Salter said.
In addition to improving recruitment and outreach, the AI-powered system will provide insights into prospective student behavior, preferences, and needs. This will help MSU deliver more timely and personalized communications, broaden its reach to underrepresented populations, and strengthen relationships with alumni and other supporters, the university said.
The collaboration will also boost MSU’s ongoing digital marketing campaign managed by Ad5, MSU said, adding that with AI-driven insights, Ad5 will be able to sharpen messaging, target key demographics, and enhance the university’s presence across media platforms.
“This collaboration using the Quintilian systems to create an AI environment using Amazon Web Services AI services will allow MSU to elevate their engagement of a wide range of constituents to build stronger, more meaningful relationships. Every area of the university’s operations can benefit,” said Gavan Corr, founder of Quintilian.
As part of the initiative, Quintilian will offer two paid internships to MSU students, providing hands-on experience in AI, data science, and cloud technologies tailored to the higher education environment. These positions are intended to give students direct exposure to the rapidly evolving AI industry.
“At MSU, innovation is in our DNA,” said Thomas Broadus, the university’s chief marketing officer. “This opportunity reflects MSU’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve and using the best technology available to serve students across Mississippi and beyond.”
