The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa was honored with the Community Connector Award at the 2025 EdSights PERSIST Summit in October. The award recognized UH Mānoa’s commitment to student success and innovation in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and student voice data while fostering a culture of change and innovation, as well as the UH System’s continuing efforts to support students.
“We’re proud that this recognition highlights not just technology, but transformation,” said Kapā Oliveira, UH Mānoa interim vice provost for student success. “The EdSights partnership empowers us to use AI tools to understand and support students in real time, helping us create a more connected, responsive and student-centered campus.”
The UH System has a five-year contract with EdSights to provide each campus with a proactive AI chatbot designed to check in with students, connect them to resources and provide valuable insights into student needs.
“Working closely with Kim [Siegenthaler, senior advisor to the UH president], Dr. Kapā 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, in a congratulatory message to UH President Wendy Hensel. “Your team’s leadership truly exemplifies what’s possible when institutions put students at the center of their strategy,” said Recchi. “We’re proud to partner with The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and now with the entire system and to continue supporting your important work.”
Support for all 10 UH campuses
As of fall 2025, all 10 UH campuses feature chatbots to assist both students and human support staff.
UH Mānoa’s ‘Bow, introduced in 2023, was the first UH AI 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.
In August 2025, UH Hilo (Lehua), Honolulu Community College (Niu), Kapiʻolani CC (Manu) and UH Maui College (Ulu) launched their chatbots. UH West Oʻahu (Pueo), Leeward CC (Ulu), Windward CC (Moa), Hawaiʻi CC (ʻIolana) and Kauaʻi CC followed during the semester with their chatbots.
Since ‘Bow launched at UH Mānoa:
- 51% of undergraduate students actively engage with ‘Bow.
- He has received more than 150,000 texts, with 31% of questions around academics.
- 43 proactive retention campaigns connecting 8,687 students to specific UH Mānoa resources during the 2024–25 academic year.
- ‘Bowʻs human helpers connected with 1,229 students for additional staff support.
“Bringing chatbots to all 10 of our campuses marks a major milestone in our commitment to deliver a common standard of care for every UH student,” said Siegenthaler. “Since UH Mānoa introduced ‘Bow in 2023, we’ve seen how powerful these tools can be. Now, with chatbots at every campus, we are extending that same level of proactive, compassionate support systemwide. This initiative strengthens not only our student success efforts, but also the ability of our staff to focus on the deeper, relationship-based work that truly transforms students’ lives.”
EdSights is an education technology company that centers student voice, driving innovation and success for all learners. The annual EdSights PERSIST Summit brings together partner institutions to discuss the latest trends in student success, and how each organization approaches student-centered higher education.
