Use of Scorch texting chatbot soars in fall semester
Text outreach via AI bot continues in spring semester
Scorch, the AI-powered texting chatbot that Minnesota State Moorhead launched in Fall 2025, has proven to be a powerful tool for engaging students.
During its first semester of use, Moorhead undergraduate students sent nearly 12,000 messages to Scorch, and 94% of students remain subscribed to Scorch’s texts, with 61% of students actively engaging with Scorch (sending 3+ text messages). Among students who were new to Moorhead in the Fall, that engagement rate rises to 76%.
Scorch will once again send a welcome text message to undergraduate students at the start of this semester and will follow up with regular, proactive check-in questions. These communications measure four key areas that influence student success: academic engagement, social engagement, financial distress, and wellness.
The information gathered during the fall semester has provided powerful insights to the Student Success Team that inform retention efforts. For example, the team was able to identify and follow up with 190 students who needed additional support from a human helper during the fall semester.
For more information, about Scorch, the SMS chatbot, visit https://www.mnstate.edu/academics/support/asc/student-learning-resources/text-scorch. If you have any questions, please contact Erika Beseler Thompson, interim executive director of Student Success, or email scorch@mnstate.edu.