The Lone Star College Office of Technology Services (OTS) is transforming the student experience with Ellis C., an AI-powered chatbot designed to provide quick and reliable support. Available 24/7 on LoneStar.edu and soon expanding into the myLoneStar student portal, Ellis C. helps students navigate essential services like Admissions, Advising, Financial Aid, and Veteran’s Affairs in over 100 languages.

Enhancing Student Support with AI

Students frequently have questions about admissions, class registration, and financial aid. Ellis C. offers instant answers to these common inquiries, reducing response times and alleviating the workload of faculty and staff. By automating routine questions, advisors can dedicate more time to personalized student interactions.

Advancing Ellis C.: A Chatbot Development Initiative

To improve Ellis C.’s capabilities, OTS and the Goal 4: Advising team launched a three-month chatbot development project in January. This initiative, led by the Chatbot Steering Committee, aims to expand Ellis C.’s knowledge base, making it a more effective resource for students and advisors.

The project focuses on three key areas:

• Knowledge Base Development: Refining chatbot responses to provide more accurate and helpful answers.

• Live Agent Integration: Enabling students to seamlessly connect with an advisor for real-time assistance when needed.

• Continual Improvement: Establishing workflows to ensure ongoing chatbot enhancements and quality assurance.

What’s Next?

The improved Ellis C. is set to roll out in late March, bringing expanded capabilities to students in myLoneStar. As its accuracy and functionality evolve, OTS remains committed to leveraging AI to modernize the student experience and support student success.

Stay Updated

Regular updates from the Chatbot Steering Committee will be available to keep students and employees informed about new features, enhancements, and testing opportunities.

We Value Your Feedback

Your input is key to making Ellis C. a valuable tool for the Lone Star College community. Stay tuned for opportunities to test the chatbot and share your thoughts!

Lone Star College is dedicated to using technology to empower students and streamline support services. Ellis C. is just one of the many ways we’re enhancing the student experience—one conversation at a time.