AI4AIS26: Reimagining Student Success: How AI Agents Enhance Enrollment and Retention
Recorded On: 05/14/2026

In an era where institutions are being asked to do more than ever to deliver standout student experiences, AI agents are helping institutions engage and support learners at scale while streamlining essential operational workflows. Hear how one institution’s AI agent is already transforming admissions, reducing first-year melt, and driving stronger student outcomes without adding complexity for staff. Learn how to interpret real-time AI agent performance dashboards by recognizing key engagement and impact metrics such as student interactions, conversion support, and operational workload reduction to assess the effectiveness and ROI of AI support.
Sandra Perez
Senior Director, Academic Initiatives & Human Resources
University of Lynchburg
Sandra E. Perez is a dynamic leader in higher education, serving as the Senior Director of Academic Initiatives and Human Resources at the University of Lynchburg. As an integral member of the Academic Leadership Team, she specializes in driving institutional transformation through strategic change management and process architecture. Her career is defined by a unique ability to bridge administrative operations with academic excellence, having led high-impact initiatives such as the university-wide transition from manual to digital workflows and the comprehensive revitalization of human resources infrastructure to improve organizational agility. At the leading edge of educational technology, Sandra is a recognized voice on the integration of generative artificial intelligence within the academic landscape. She co-leads the strategic implementation of AI across pedagogy and staff efficiency, serving on the AI Initiatives Committee to shape future-ready student experiences. Her thought leadership has been featured on national stages, including keynote addresses at the Google Summit and presentations for the Educause and Google "Gemini Blueprint" series. Through these platforms, she shares practical, scalable insights on leveraging AI to create more personalized, efficient, and effective educational environments. Sandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Lynchburg, where she graduated magna cum laude. Her commitment to leadership and consensus-building has earned her prestigious honors, including the Iva Burford Administrative Managerial Leadership Award and the Student Government Association Leadership Award. Driven by a focus on innovation and collaborative growth, Sandra is dedicated to designing elegant solutions that enhance institutional health and support the evolving needs of the modern global education sector.

Ned Barnes
senior solutions consultant
Druid AI
CPE Available: 1 Credit in Information Technology
Each individual must register and attend separately to earn credit.

NACUBO is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website www.nasbaregistry.org
Event Information
- Level: Intermediate
- Prerequisites: Minimum 1-2 years of experience as a professional in higher education or a related private industry.
- Advanced Preparation: None
- Delivery Mode: Group internet based
- Field of Study: Information Technology
- Length: 60 minutes
Steps to Earn CPE Credit
You may only earn credit for attending the session live. CPE credit cannot be earned for watching the recordings.
To earn CPE credit, you will complete the following tasks under the Content tab, after the session has ended:
- Pass the CPE codeword quiz. Write down the codewords posted in the Zoom chat at random times throughout the session and complete the quiz at the end of the session.
- Submit the CPE check-out code displayed at the end of the session.
- Download your CPE certificate.
You have until 5 pm Eastern Time on May 15, 2026 to complete these three steps or report technology issues with this site to online@nacubo.org.
For more detailed instructions, review the CPE Instructions page.
