A new partnership between Mississippi State, Amazon Web Services and Ad5 utilizing cutting-edge artificial intelligence will help the Magnolia State’s leading land-grant institution enhance engagement with prospective students, alumni, and supporters. The initiative is the first of its kind in the state and Southeastern Conference. (Getty Images)
Mississippi State University (MSU) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), becoming the only university in Mississippi—and the first in the Southeastern Conference (SEC)—to implement AWS’s artificial intelligence platform to enhance engagement with prospective students, alumni, and supporters.
(photo by Russ Houston / © Mississippi State University)
“As Mississippi’s leading research university, we take pride in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—along with high-performance computing, data science, cybersecurity studies, agriculture and forestry, and business,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “From that standpoint, this exciting partnership with a world-class organization like AWS is a great fit for the MSU community.”
Using the Higher Education AI platform from Quintilian, Inc. powered by AWS, a leading education data and technology firm, MSU will leverage machine learning models that optimize MSU’s data to streamline key focus areas, such as student recruitment and engagement, alumni relations, communications, and university operations. The initiative will operate seamlessly within MSU’s existing systems.
“This is a bold step forward in how we connect with present and future Bulldogs,” said MSU Vice President for Strategic Communications Sid Salter. “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.”
MSU’s Initiative is centered around building a dynamic, AI-powered application to better understand prospective student behavior, preferences, and needs. This will enable MSU to deliver more timely, personalized, and impactful communications while expanding access to underrepresented populations.
This will also enhance the ongoing Mississippi State digital marketing awareness campaign being led by Ad5. Ad5 brings major market sophistication paired with a deep understanding of Southern markets, businesses, and, most importantly, Southern people. With insights from the AI services, Ad5 will be able to sharpen messaging, target key demographics more effectively, and elevate MSU’s presence in both traditional and emerging media spaces.
“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 Mississippi State students—providing direct, real-world experience working with AI, data science, and cloud technologies in the higher education space.
“At MSU, innovation is in our DNA,” said Thomas Broadus, MSU’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.”
The project, powered by AWS and informed by the expertise of Quintilian’s data science team, is expected to set a new standard for how higher education institutions approach digital engagement and recruitment—using data ethically, securely, and strategically.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.