Murray State College has received a $447,900 grant from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) through the Innovations with AI Program, a statewide initiative supporting the use of artificial intelligence to improve services and operations across higher education.

The funding will support the launch of Murray State’s new artificial intelligence (AI) initiative, which focuses on implementing an AI platform called Grouper. The system will automate the extraction, validation and transfer of information from key documents—including transcripts, applications and financial aid forms—significantly reducing manual data entry across campus offices.

“Streamlining student records through AI allows for faster verification, reduces delays and provides a clearer path to awarding aid,” said Cali Grimmett, Executive Director of Student Records. “Any improvement that helps us deliver timely, accurate financial and academic support for transferring credits is a win for students. This initiative enhances our ability to remove barriers and ensures students receive the assistance they deserve.”

Currently, Murray State’s customer relations, document management and enterprise resource planning systems operate separately, creating data silos that require lengthy manual processing. These inefficiencies often duplicate staff efforts and lead to inconsistent data quality. Implementing AI-driven automation will streamline workflows, reduce errors and improve the overall experience for both prospective and current students.

“This technology directly supports our student-centered approach,” said Darrell Riley, Director of Recruitment. “By reducing time spent on manual data processing, our team can focus more on building meaningful connections with prospective students and guiding them through the admissions process. It enhances our ability to recruit effectively and ensures students receive timely, accurate support from their very first interaction with Murray State.”

The OSRHE grant will support software licensing, implementation and staff training for the new platform. Murray State intends to begin deploying the system in Spring 2026, with phased integration across departments.

“This grant allows Murray State College to make a significant advance in operational efficiency,” said Dr. Tim Faltyn, President of Murray State College. “The State Regents’ investment in innovative tools ensures that institutions like ours can continue improving the way we serve students. With their support, we can enhance accuracy, streamline processes and create a smoother, more responsive experience for every student who chooses Murray State.”