One-Stop Guide

Pr


At a Glance

  • Pauly is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
  • He can speak many languages
  • He is trained specifically for Park's online, adult & evening, and military-connected students at any campus.
  • He does not have access to look up your personal student record.

How to Reach Pauly

  1. Text him. His preferred way to talk is text. Text 816-549-6048. Data rates may apply, and you can opt out and opt back in any time.
  2. Call him. Use the same number, 816-549-6048. Voice AI isn't quite as sharp as written AI like texting, so for anything detailed, texting works best.
  3. Email him. Reach him at helpdesk@park.classmail.com.
  4. Web chat. Use the live web chat in the corner of this page to start a conversation right now.

Financial aid questions? For FAFSA, aid packages, and paying for Park, Pauly's colleague Parker, the Financial Aid Assistant, is the specialist. Text Parker at 816-744-9510 or email finaid@park.classmail.com.

My fellow Park Pirates and Buccaneers

Pauly can answer a lot, but he can't look up your specific student record. He is connected with a team of humans — if he can't help, he'll route your question to the right team. Messages sent to staff are reviewed during business hours and can take 2–3 business days.

Report an issue with Pauly: Park University AI Agents feedback form


Frequently Asked Questions

GETTING TO KNOW PAULY

What is AI?

AI stands for artificial intelligence — when computers are trained to think and learn in ways similar to how humans do. AI can spot patterns, learn from examples, and come up with answers based on what it has learned. Think of it like a super-fast learner that has studied millions of examples and can use all of that to help you out.

You already use AI every day. When your streaming app recommends a show you actually want to watch, or your music app adds a song you end up loving, that's AI. It's also behind auto-complete, spam filters, and the facial recognition that unlocks your phone.

AI 101

The AI that powers tools like ChatGPT was trained on more text than a person could read in thousands of lifetimes — books, websites, and articles — to learn how language works. That's why it can hold a real conversation.

What is Pauly?

Pauly is Park University's AI-powered admissions counselor. He's been trained specifically on Park information, so when you ask a question you get answers about our university — not just general college advice. Think of him as a version of ChatGPT that only knows Park, and knows it really well.

PRO TIP

AI is helpful, but it isn't perfect. Even though Pauly has been trained on Park information and thoroughly tested, treat his answers as a starting point, not the final word:

  • Pause and think — does the answer make sense?
  • Double-check important details like deadlines, requirements, or documents.
  • Ask a real person if something feels unclear or high-stakes.

Pauly doesn't replace real people. He makes getting help faster and easier, and when you need to talk to someone on our team, he can connect you.

BONUS TIP

The more detail you give, the better his answers. Instead of “what do I need?” try “I'm a first-generation online student applying for the fall term — what documents do I need to submit?”

How does Pauly know so much about Park University?

Pauly doesn't search the internet or make things up. He was trained on a set of Park University information our team put together — admission requirements, deadlines, financial aid, transfer credit, military benefits, and campus life. Think of it like a textbook that only covers Park. Pauly is the tutor who has studied the whole thing.

Because his answers are specific to our university, they're not generic advice you could find anywhere. When Pauly answers, he pulls from that Park knowledge base and can point you to the source.

AI 101

This is called a “knowledge-grounded” AI. Instead of guessing from the whole internet, Pauly is anchored to a specific set of trusted information — like the difference between asking a stranger for directions and asking someone who's lived in the neighborhood their whole life.

Will Pauly replace admissions counselors?

No. Think of Pauly like the self-checkout at the grocery store — fast, convenient, and great for quick things. But if you have a complicated situation, a real person is still there to help.

Pauly handles the common questions so our admissions counselors can spend more time on the harder, more personal conversations. And if he can't fully help you, he'll connect you directly with the right person on our team.

Does Pauly learn from my conversations?

Pauly doesn't update his knowledge mid-conversation, and he doesn't get smarter just because you had a great chat. But he does remember your past conversations so he can give you more helpful answers over time.

For example, if you mentioned your program, your application status, or a question from last week, he can use that context next time. You won't have to repeat yourself.

Think of it like your Notes app — it saves everything you put in, but the app itself doesn't get smarter from reading your notes. The Park team handles the “getting smarter” part by regularly updating what Pauly knows, like a software update on your phone.

AI 101

Teaching an AI to get smarter is called “training,” and it takes enormous computing power — clusters of specialized chips that can cost millions to run. That's why AI updates happen in planned releases, not in real time.

USING PAULY

How do I talk with Pauly?

Just talk to him like you would a person — no special commands, no specific format. Type or say what you need. You can reach Pauly by text (SMS), by the web chat on this page, or by calling and speaking with him over the phone. Use whichever feels easiest.

Tips to get the best answer

  • Be specific. Instead of “what do I need?” try “I submitted my application — what should I do next?”
  • Give context. If you're a transfer student, first-gen, or military-connected, say so. It helps him give a more relevant answer.
  • Ask follow-ups. If an answer isn't quite right, ask again with more detail. It's a conversation, not a one-shot search.

Texting vs. calling — what to expect. Voice AI and text-based AI are two different technologies, and right now they're not at the same level. When you text or chat, you're using a large language model that has processed huge amounts of text and learned to have clear conversations. When you call, there's an extra step: your voice is turned into text, processed, then turned back into speech — and background noise, accents, or fast talking can affect each step. So if a call feels a little off, that's normal. For anything detailed, try texting instead.

AI 101

The technology that turns your voice into text is called Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) — the same tech behind Siri and voice search. It's improved a lot, but understanding every accent in every environment is still one of the hardest problems in AI.

What kinds of questions can I ask Pauly?

Pauly is built to help with Park University admissions and enrollment. Things like:

  • What are Park's admission requirements?
  • When is the application deadline?
  • How does my transfer credit apply?
  • How do I use my military or veteran education benefits?
  • What do I do next after submitting my application?
  • What programs does Park offer online and at any campus?

Connecting with a human. Pauly may connect you with a staff member for personal situations, appeals, or anything that needs a human judgment call. A good rule of thumb: if you'd expect to find the answer on the Park website, Pauly is a great place to start. Ask something outside his area and he'll point you in a better direction — no judgment.

What if Pauly gives me the wrong answer?

It can happen, and that's okay. AI is helpful, but it isn't perfect. If something doesn't feel right, trust that feeling. Here's what you can do:

  • Ask a follow-up question to get more detail.
  • Ask where the information came from — he should be able to point you to a source.
  • Reach out to an admissions counselor for anything high-stakes or specific to your account.

For big decisions, always double-check. Missed deadlines and skipped requirements can have real consequences. Use Pauly as a starting point, not the finish line.

AI 101

When AI gives a made-up answer, it's called a “hallucination.” AI doesn't know things the way humans do — it predicts what words come next based on patterns, and sometimes those patterns lead to a confident-sounding answer that's just not accurate. That's exactly why Pauly is built to pull from a defined set of Park information, to keep hallucinations to a minimum.

What if I need to talk to a human?

Just ask. Say something like “I want to talk to someone” or “Can I speak with an admissions counselor?” and Pauly will connect you with the right person on the Park team. Just note it won't be in real time or a live transfer.

YOUR PRIVACY & SAFETY

Can Pauly see my personal information, and is it being shared?

What Pauly can see. He uses information provided by the Park admissions team, plus anything you choose to share during your conversation. He doesn't access information beyond that.

What he cannot see. What Pauly knows about you is limited. He can't answer questions specific to your account or application status — for those, he can connect you with someone from our admissions team.

When Pauly reaches out to you. On occasion the Park enrollment team may set up Pauly to reach out with reminders about upcoming deadlines or next steps — for example, if you're admitted, a nudge to register for classes or finish your enrollment checklist.

Is talking to Pauly safe and private?

Your conversations are handled securely and aren't shared publicly. That said, Park staff may review conversations to improve the system or to follow up if you need help. Think of it like a DM to a school account — the people running it can see it, but it's not out there for everyone. So treat talking with Pauly like talking to a teacher or counselor: be honest, be respectful, and don't share anything you wouldn't say in that setting.

Keep your information safe

Never share sensitive personal information through any AI tool, including Pauly — that means your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords. There are much safer, official ways to submit that kind of information.

Protect yourself online. Scammers sometimes pretend to be schools, companies, or AI tools to trick people into sharing personal information — this is called phishing. If anyone, AI or human, asks for your Social Security number, passwords, or financial details through a chat or text, that's a red flag. Only share sensitive information through official channels you trust. If Pauly ever seems to be asking for this kind of information, don't provide it — and let the Park admissions team know right away.

AI 101

Phishing is one of the most common cybersecurity threats in the world, and scammers now use AI to make fake messages sound more real and personal. Learning to spot them is one of the most useful digital skills you can have.