Hi! I’m RITA, your Roadrunner Intelligent Technology Assistant…
Got questions about the university? RITA's got answers and can chat anytime, 24/7.
Your go-to for personalized guidance and on-demand support, RITA can help with it all — from academic assistance to well-being resources.
So, keep your phone handy! RITA checks in regularly to keep you on track and connected to all the resources you need to succeed.
Phase II Pilot: Expanding RITA’s Impact
Building on the success of the initial pilot, Student Success and UT San Antonio Online are partnering with EdSights to expand RITA, the Roadrunner Intelligent Technology Assistant. In the 2026-2027 academic year, RITA will support approximately 17,000 Roadrunners, including first-year and second-year undergraduate students, new and continuing master's students who are enrolled at least half-time and identify as first-generation and/or Veteran students, and all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in fully online programs.
RITA will send an initial “hello” text message to all students included in the pilot on Tuesday, August 25. Once that first text is received, students are free to ask RITA their questions about the university any time, day or night. RITA’s responses all come from a knowledgebase developed by Student Success and UT San Antonio Online and covering a variety of topics:
- Academics (academic advising, study skills, etc.)
- Financial Matters (personal finances, financial aid, scholarships, etc.)
- Campus Life and Involvement (clubs, organizations, events, etc.)
- Student Well-Being (health clinic, recreation, counseling, etc.)
RITA is here to support Roadrunners in all aspects of their college experience.
Please note that you are engaging with an automated AI chatbot, and not a person. Additionally, your text messages are neither anonymous nor confidential and may prompt disclosure and reporting to campus partners including but not limited to the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT). Therefore, if RITA is not the best resource, someone from the University may reach out to help. Should you need confidential services, the University has designated counseling center providers and health providers at Wellness 360, PEACE Center (Campus Advocate) and Student Assistance Services as confidential employees.
Update Your Cell
Don’t miss out! Update your cell number in your MyUTSA to make sure you – not your family – get texts from RITA.
During our pilot phase, students with a U.S. cell number on file will receive RITA’s messages. You can opt out anytime by texting “Stop” and opt back in by texting “Hello” to RITA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can chat with RITA?
RITA is available to approximately 17,000 Roadrunners, including first-year and second-year undergraduate students, eligible new and continuing master's students, and all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in fully online programs.
How do I start chatting with RITA?
Students in the pilot program will receive an initial text from RITA. Simply save her name and number in your contacts, and reply to her text to start chatting.
What kind of questions can I ask RITA?
RITA has been trained on a wide variety of topics to assist Roadrunner students (see list above). If RITA cannot answer your question, someone from the Student Success team will contact you with an answer within 48 business hours.
Is RITA available 24/7?
Yes, RITA is available around the clock, so you can get help whenever you need it. Whether you're working on assignments late at night or need quick information during the day, RITA is ready to assist.
Can I opt out of receiving messages from RITA?
Yes, you can opt out at any time. Just follow the instructions provided in any of RITA's messages to stop receiving texts.
Why is my information collected, who sees it, and how is it protected?
Your responses help the Division of Student Success understand student needs in real time so we can tailor support and resources. A university staff member may reach out if your responses suggest you could benefit from additional assistance. RITA operates as a closed system designed to protect student data privacy, and the information you share is not used to train external AI models.
Are my text messages shared with others?
Your texts with RITA are not anonymous, so if RITA is ever not the best resource, someone from the university may reach out to help.
Can I opt back in to receive messages from RITA?
Yes, you can opt back in at any time. Simply send RITA a text to start the conversation again!
Want to talk to a human?
If you have questions or concerns about our RITA and would like to talk to a human about it, please reach out to the Roadrunner Success Hub.
