Upswing recently unveiled the 2025 Ana Insights Report, a powerful look inside the real challenges students face and the warning signs institutions can no longer afford to ignore.

Powered by millions of human-backed conversations with college students across the country, Ana, Upswing’s SMS-based engagement and belonging assistant, sheds light on the everyday barriers that silently lead to dropouts, from financial instability and mental health struggles, to academic overwhelm and childcare concerns.

“At a time when institutions are under pressure to do more with less, understanding the resources that students can’t afford to live without is critical,” said Melvin Hines, CEO of Upswing. “Ana gives campuses a direct line to student realities, and provides data that helps leaders act before it’s too late.”

Backed by live human support, Ana personally and proactively connects with students throughout their educational journey, uncovering patterns and pain points that traditional surveys and reports often miss. The 2025 Ana Insights Report transforms these findings into actionable strategies for improving retention, engagement, and student success.

Key takeaways from this year’s report include:

• How a rise in student requests for financial aid and basic needs support signals growing economic insecurity.
• How student engagement is directly impacted by how student support is framed.
• The critical importance of personalized, proactive outreach in helping at-risk students stay enrolled.

As institutions grapple with tightening budgets and changing student demographics, the 2025 Ana Insights Report provides a roadmap for supporting non-traditional learners balancing jobs, families, and degrees.

Download the report to uncover what your students are telling Ana, and what they need from you to persist and succeed.