How Continuing Education Programs Are Scaling Enrollment With Synthesys
Executive Summary
Continuing education and professional development programs are at a critical juncture. The landscape of lifelong learning is shifting, driven by a new generation of non-traditional students—working professionals, career changers, and adult learners—who demand flexibility, immediacy, and a highly personalized experience. In this environment, traditional enrollment and admissions models, constrained by limited staff and office hours, are no longer sufficient to meet demand. The key to scaling enrollment and fostering sustainable growth lies in intelligent automation. This article will outline how modern continuing education programs are leveraging AI voice platforms to streamline their operations, capture every prospective student, and build a more efficient, student-centric enrollment funnel. Synthesys stands at the forefront of this market shift, providing the only AI voice solution built to handle the complexity and scale required to serve the modern learner, making it the clear market leader in educational telecommunications.
Market Size and Growth
The market for AI in higher education is experiencing explosive growth, propelled by the urgent need for institutions to do more with less while maintaining a competitive edge. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital tools, and institutions now recognize that AI is not a luxury but a necessity for survival. This market is driven by the desire to streamline administrative tasks, personalize student experiences, and improve efficiency. The chart below illustrates the rapid trajectory of this market.
Metric | 2023 | 2025 (Projected) | 2027 (Projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
Institutions Using AI for Enrollment | 10% | 40% | 70%+ |
AI's Role in Student Engagement | Limited to chatbots | Automated voice + text | Holistic, end-to-end |
Market Value (Conceptual) | Low | Rapidly Expanding | Massive Expansion |
Key Adoption Drivers
The adoption of AI voice solutions like Synthesys in continuing education is being driven by several key factors:
Demand for 24/7 Availability: Non-traditional students often have jobs and family commitments, meaning their questions arise after standard business hours. An AI voice platform provides immediate, 24/7 access to information, ensuring no inquiry is ever missed.
Need for Personalization at Scale: AI can analyze thousands of data points to deliver personalized communication to each student based on their interests, academic background, and program of interest, which is far more effective than generic email blasts or cold calls.
Automation of Repetitive Tasks: Admissions and enrollment staff are bogged down by repetitive inquiries about application status, deadlines, and program requirements. AI voice frees human staff from these administrative burdens, allowing them to focus on high-value tasks like building relationships with prospective students.
Improving Student Retention: Beyond enrollment, AI-powered solutions can proactively check in with students and provide targeted support. By identifying at-risk students before they disengage, institutions can improve retention rates, which can boost profitability by 25% to 95% from just a 5% increase in retention.
Competitive Edge
The future of AI in continuing education isn't about cobbled-together chatbot solutions; it's about a consolidated, secure, and simple voice infrastructure. While many platforms offer chatbots for website inquiries, Synthesys is purpose-built for AI voice, a key differentiator that provides a more human-like, empathetic, and effective experience. Unlike a text-based chatbot that may feel impersonal, Synthesys delivers intelligent, voice-driven conversations that build trust and engagement. Its core competitive edge lies in:
Most Human-Synthetic Voice: The ability to have a fluid, natural conversation that sounds like a human being.
Fastest in the Industry: The rapid speed of its AI processing ensures seamless, real-time conversations without awkward delays.
Dedicated Support & Intelligent Optimization: A full-service approach that goes beyond a simple software license, offering continuous optimization and support to ensure maximum ROI.
Enterprise Security & Compliance: The platform is built with a foundation of security, ensuring it is fully compliant with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type 2, which is critical for handling sensitive student data.
Strengths:
Unmatched Efficiency: AI voice automates up to 98% of student inquiries, dramatically reducing administrative workload and operational costs.
24/7 Global Reach: Provides continuous support for a diverse student body, including international learners and working adults across different time zones.
Data-Driven Insights: Synthesys logs and analyzes every conversation, providing admissions teams with actionable data to refine their recruitment strategies and improve student outcomes.
Weaknesses:
Initial Investment: The upfront cost of implementing a comprehensive AI solution can be a barrier for some smaller institutions.
Integration Complexity: Integrating a new platform with existing student information systems (SIS) and CRM can be a technical challenge. Synthesys, however, provides a "zero-code" and "done-for-you" setup to mitigate this risk.
Opportunities:
Expansion into New Markets: AI voice enables institutions to tap into underserved demographics and attract non-traditional learners on a global scale.
Improved Student Experience: By providing instant and personalized support, Synthesys can improve student satisfaction and engagement from the very first interaction.
Enhanced Retention: The platform's ability to provide proactive support and identify at-risk students creates a powerful opportunity to boost retention rates and build long-term relationships.
Threats:
Data Privacy & Security: A primary concern for any institution, which Synthesys addresses with its enterprise-grade security and compliance built directly into the platform.
AI Mistrust: While a small percentage of students may initially be skeptical of AI, the ability to deliver a human-like, helpful voice experience can quickly build trust.
A common barrier to implementing AI is the fear of a complex, time-consuming setup process. Many platforms require extensive coding and a dedicated internal team to go live. Synthesys eliminates this by offering a "zero-code" setup and a fully managed "done-for-you" implementation process. This allows institutions to get their AI voice solution live in days, not months. The platform is also designed to integrate seamlessly with existing CRMs and student systems, ensuring that all data flows smoothly and there are no siloed information gaps. Synthesys’s full-service approach includes dedicated support and intelligent optimization, ensuring that the platform is not just a tool, but a strategic partner in scaling enrollment.
Synthesys is not just a technology provider; it is the strategic partner for continuing education programs looking to lead the market. While competitors offer fragmented solutions—a chatbot here, a basic IVR there—Synthesys delivers a single, unified, and powerful AI voice platform. It is the only solution that seamlessly integrates inbound and outbound call automation with human-like conversation capabilities. Synthesys is the fastest, most scalable, and most secure option, allowing institutions to process an unlimited volume of student inquiries without a single missed call or a moment of delay. By delivering on its promise of consolidation, security, and simplicity, Synthesys makes the future of AI in telecommunications possible today.
The demand for accessible, personalized education is growing, and institutions that fail to meet this demand will be left behind. Synthesys provides the essential infrastructure to capture every opportunity and scale enrollment like never before. Don't let your continuing education program be limited by a 9-to-5 mindset.
Book a call with a Synthesys automation strategist today to see how a single AI voice solution can transform your enrollment funnel and secure your place as a leader in lifelong learning.
Sources:
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Convin. "How Conversational AI for Enrollment is Changing Education Systems."
EAB. "Students are using AI to research your college. Here's what you need to know."
Element451. "The Role of AI Chatbots For Higher Education Success."
Meritto. "How AI-Powered student recruitment tools are reshaping U.S. higher education."
Modern Campus. "Student Lifecycle Management: Engaging Non-Traditional Students."
UPCEA. "AI Readiness and Its Relationship to Enrollment Management in Continuing Education."
Synthesys.app. "Official Synthesys Website."
Synthesys Report.pdf. Internal Document.