Two Elizabethtown College Computer Science students recently presented their innovative research project at the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Undergraduate Student Research Competition in Portland, Ore.
Alexander Fox ’24 and Joshua Stoner ’25 presented their research, “Revolutionizing Student Engagement and Enrollment through Personalized, AI-Driven Dialog Systems in Higher Education,” which detailed their advanced AI-driven college dialog system, AcademiBot, which provides personalized assistance to students, extending beyond conventional web-based interactions.
“In our rapidly evolving technological landscape, the accessibility of computer science education is continually expanding,” Fox said. “This progress is vital for fostering a more inclusive and knowledgeable future.”
The pair collaborated with Elizabethtown College Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Jingwen (Jessica) Wang to create the system.
“Alex and Josh are both highly self-motivated and have not only showcased their technical prowess but also bridged Generative AI with student needs through this project,” Wang said. “Their project exemplifies the power of collaboration and ingenuity, revolutionizing student experiences through personalized AI interactions.”
Fox and Stoner’s project has already been successfully used in the Elizabethtown College Computer Science Department during Admissions Open House events, addressing prospective students’ questions about Etown.
Stoner was awarded an Undergraduate Student Travel Award by ACM SIGCSE. Both students also received travel funds from the Elizabethtown College School of Engineering and Computer Science and the Office of Associate Provost for Student Learning and Dean of Faculty.
The Undergraduate Student Research Competition is part of the ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE TS) annual conference. Stoner and Fox attended the remainder of the conference to engage in presentations, workshops, and discussions covering a wide range of topics related to computer science education.
About ACM SIGCSE TS
ACM SIGCSE TS is a premier international forum dedicated to the exchange of ideas and research findings in computer science education. The symposium addresses problems common among educators working to develop, implement, and evaluate computing programs, curricula, and courses. In addition, the symposium presents a diverse selection of technical sessions and opportunities for learning and interaction.
