Student Engagement is Dropping? Here's How AI Fixes It

Across classrooms, lecture halls and virtual campuses, where the classroom environment plays a crucial role in student engagement, one problem is rising to the top of every educator’s list: student engagement is falling. From missed assignments and reduced participation to lower retention rates, disengaged students are not just a short-term problem—they can impact an institution’s long-term reputation and outcomes.

Emerging technology, especially AI, is transforming education by offering new ways to address these challenges.

That’s where Salesforce Agentforce + Education Cloud comes in. Together, they enable schools, colleges and universities to deliver personalized learning paths, automate outreach and keep engagement high—all powered by AI. This reflects the growing trend of AI adoption in higher education institutions, as they move from experimentation to full-scale integration of AI solutions.

The Engagement Challenge in Education

Student engagement issues have many causes:

• Too many communication channels – Emails, portals and announcements get lost in the noise.

• One-size-fits-all learning – Standardized approaches don’t meet individual needs and can be especially challenging for students early in their courses.

• Staff bandwidth limitations – Advisors, teachers and administrators can’t manually track and follow up with hundreds or thousands of students.

• Disconnected systems – Key academic and behavioral data sits in separate tools making it hard to see the full picture.

• Course structure – The way courses are organized and delivered can significantly impact student engagement.

Providing timely answers to student questions is essential to prevent disengagement and ensure students feel supported.

The result? Students who need help fall through the cracks, small issues become big ones and retention rates drop. Lack of engagement can also harm the relationship between students and their institution.

The Role of Higher Ed Leaders in Driving Engagement

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, higher education leaders are at the forefront of driving student engagement and shaping the future of learning. Their vision and commitment to innovation are key to creating environments where students thrive. By embracing technology and championing personalized learning experiences, these leaders empower their institutions to support students more effectively and enhance academic performance across the board.

One of the most impactful ways higher ed leaders can foster student engagement is by leveraging artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. These tools allow institutions to track student progress in real time, identifying patterns and potential risks before they escalate. With early intervention strategies informed by data, educators can provide targeted support to students who may be struggling, ensuring that no one falls through the cracks.

Personalized learning is another cornerstone of effective engagement. By moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches, higher education institutions can tailor learning experiences to meet the unique needs and aspirations of each student. This not only boosts engagement but also leads to deeper understanding and better academic outcomes.

Ultimately, the role of higher ed leaders is to create a culture where technology and human insight work hand in hand. By prioritizing student engagement, supporting innovative solutions, and focusing on continuous improvement, leaders can ensure their institutions remain responsive to the evolving expectations of today’s students—and set the stage for long-term student success.

Enter Agentforce + Education Cloud

Salesforce Agentforce is the next wave of AI—intelligent agents that can proactively manage tasks, make decisions and communicate like a member of your team. When combined with Education Cloud, these AI agents work inside a unified student information and engagement platform. Faculty and instructors can use these tools to better engage students at every stage of the student journey, leveraging AI-driven insights and personalized communication to support and enhance student experiences.

Here’s how the combination works to keep students engaged:

1. Personalized Learning Paths at Scale

No two students learn the same way. Agentforce uses academic history, performance trends, and personal goals to create custom learning journeys. Agentforce supports diverse learners by providing tailored instruction that

meets individual needs.

• Course recommendations based on skill gaps, students' skills, and career aspirations to personalize suggestions.

• Adaptive learning content that adjusts difficulty based on progress, enhancing the overall learning experience.

• Milestone tracking so students always know where they are, helping them assess their knowledge and progress.

Example: A freshman business major struggling in accounting gets an AI-recommended supplemental course and access to peer tutoring resources—all triggered by their performance metrics.

2. Automated Student Outreach

Automated student outreach is transforming how higher education institutions support students and improve student engagement throughout the academic journey. By harnessing the power of generative AI and personalized learning platforms, colleges and universities can deliver timely, relevant, and individualized support that keeps students on track and motivated to succeed.

For higher ed leaders, implementing AI-powered outreach begins with a thorough assessment of current student support services. By analyzing data on student progress and identifying common issues—such as missed assignments, disengagement, or academic challenges—institutions can pinpoint where automated outreach will have the greatest impact. This data-driven approach enables the creation of targeted programs that address the unique needs of each student, ensuring that support is both proactive and personalized.

AI-powered tools, such as chatbots and adaptive learning systems, play a crucial role in this process. These technologies provide instant answers to student questions, send automated reminders about important deadlines, and offer personalized advice based on each student’s academic journey. By delivering real-time feedback and support, these solutions help students understand their progress, overcome obstacles, and stay engaged with their learning experiences.

Moreover, automated outreach enables early intervention by flagging students who may be at risk of falling behind. Academic advising and tutoring can be seamlessly integrated into the student experience, reducing dropout rates and improving overall academic performance. As a result, students benefit from a more supportive and engaging environment, while institutions see gains in retention and student success.

To maximize the impact of automated student outreach, higher ed leaders should foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. By embracing AI-powered solutions and encouraging collaboration across departments, institutions can create a dynamic support system that evolves with the needs of today’s students. In doing so, they not only enhance student engagement but also set a new standard for excellence in higher education.

2. Automated Student Outreach

Instead of waiting for students to ask for help, Agentforce reaches out to them at the right time, through the right channel.

• Smart nudges reminding students about deadlines, upcoming classes or missing assignments. Digital natives, who are accustomed to technology, expect real-time and relevant communication from their institutions.

• Motivational messages triggered by milestones like completing 50% of a course.

• Personalized check-ins from advisors without hours of manual effort.

Automated outreach provides personalized support tailored to individual student needs, helping educators address challenges proactively and improve student retention.

Example: If a student’s attendance drops below 80%, Agentforce can automatically send a supportive message and alert their advisor to follow up. Meeting student expectations for timely, personalized support helps students feel more connected and supported throughout their educational journey.

3. Centralized Engagement Console

Education Cloud puts all touchpoints—from admissions and enrollment to advising and alumni relations—in one platform. This centralized platform improves student experiences by providing seamless support across every stage of the educational journey.

• Advisors see a complete student profile including engagement scores, communication history and academic progress.

• AI agents work inside this console to surface real-time engagement risks and suggest next steps.

• Staff can act immediately—send resources, schedule meetings or trigger AI-led outreach.

• The engagement console should reflect the institution's brand and communication style, ensuring consistency and familiarity for students.

Unified communication channels foster a sense of belonging and trust among students, helping to create a supportive environment that enhances engagement and connection.

4. Reducing Staff Overload

The beauty of AI-powered engagement isn’t just the impact on students—it’s the relief for staff. The benefits extend to the entire school, enhancing personalized learning, improving engagement, and supporting data-driven decision-making for a better educational experience.

• Automated scheduling for advising appointments or tutoring sessions.

• No-code workflows to handle repetitive admin tasks like sending forms or verifying submissions.

• Prioritized intervention lists so staff can stay focused on the students who need the most support, ensuring that attention is given where it matters most within the school environment.

Example: Instead of manually scanning spreadsheets, an advisor starts the day with a list of the 10 students most at risk of disengagement—curated by Agentforce.

The AI Advantage for Student Success

When done well, Agentforce + Education Cloud delivers measurable improvements in engagement and retention. These solutions are focused on improving student engagement through innovative strategies such as fostering peer networks, collaborative activities, and a supportive classroom culture:

• Higher course completion rates through timely targeted support. AI tools can help assess and provide feedback on student work, ensuring efficient and accurate evaluation while maintaining human oversight for quality and personalized guidance.

• Increased student satisfaction through personalized experiences.

• Better resource allocation by focusing staff time where it matters most. AI supports more effective teaching by allowing educators to concentrate on strategic, high-impact tasks and lesson delivery.

• Improved retention and graduation rates, driving long-term institutional success.

Real-World Scenario: AI in Action

Let’s say your institution launches Agentforce + Education Cloud at the start of the semester.

1. OnboardingNew students get a personalized welcome portal with course suggestions, campus resources and a checklist for success.

2. Mid-Semester CheckAI identifies a group of students in a core science course are missing assignments. Automated reminders go out and the professor gets a curated list of those at risk.3. InterventionOne student’s attendance drops. Agentforce sends a supportive message and schedules a meeting with an advisor—without the advisor lifting a finger.

3. End-of-Semester BoostAI congratulates students on milestone completions and nudges them to register for next semester.

Why Choose a Salesforce Partner?

While Agentforce + Education Cloud are powerful, how you use them matters. When implementing AI solutions in education, it is crucial to consider ethical considerations to ensure that technology supports human connection, academic integrity, and equitable access for all students and educators. A Salesforce partner with education expertise can:

• Configure AI agents to align with your engagement goals.

• Integrate with your existing student information systems.

• Train staff to work alongside AI.

• Continuously refine engagement strategies based on results.

In a Nutshell

Student engagement is not just about keeping students interested—it’s about creating an environment where they feel supported, guided and motivated to succeed. With Salesforce Agentforce + Education Cloud, you can do that at scale without adding to staff workload.

The institutions that adopt AI-driven engagement now will not only reverse declining participation but set a new standard for student-first learning.

Want to see how AI can work for your institution?Work with a Salesforce partner who understands education and can help you get the most out of Agentforce + Education Cloud.