The More Capable AI Gets, the More Mentors Matter
Recently, at Show Up for Teachers 2026, a conference that celebrates educators across Utah, something pretty great happened and it wasn't on a stage. It happened at our WGU School of Education booth.
Kelli, one of our dedicated mentors, was speaking with conference attendees, answering questions about our programs, scholarships and the student experience. Then someone walked up to her with a smile and asked, "Are you Kelli? You were my mentor."
Kelli immediately stepped around the table and embraced her former student.
A short time later, it happened again. And then it happened a third time.
Each interaction was filled with gratitude, laughter and genuine emotion. They took photos together, caught up and reflected on the journeys they had shared. It struck me that, despite spending much of their time together in a virtual environment, the relationship they built was every bit as real and as meaningful as if they had shared a classroom together.
Real Human Support Sparks Learning and Growth
Those reunions reminded me of something we sometimes overlook in conversations about the future of education. The most lasting part of learning is rarely the technology we use. It's the people who taught us, encouraged us, challenged us and believed in us along the way.
That lesson feels especially important today.
Artificial intelligence is transforming education at an extraordinary pace. New tools are helping to personalize learning, answering questions instantly, and reducing administrative tasks that once consumed educators' time. These innovations have tremendous potential. Debbie Fowler, WGU’s SVP of Academic Delivery, recently highlighted how WGU’s Academic Virtual Assistant AI tool made students 1.8 times more likely to contact an instructor during working hours. That's exactly what technology should do: remove barriers so educators can spend more time building relationships, providing guidance and helping students succeed.
As technology continues to transform education, it also creates new opportunities to strengthen one of learning's oldest and most powerful ingredients: human connection. The future of education isn't about choosing between technology and people; it's about bringing out the best in both.
AI can explain a concept at 2 a.m., draft a study plan or summarize a chapter. It cannot do what mentors do: reassure a student who doubts they belong, recognize when someone is struggling to balance coursework with family responsibilities or encourage them to keep going after a difficult week.
The trust that develops between a mentor and student working toward a common goal is not replicable.
WGU Mentors Personalize Education at Scale
At WGU, mentors bring that human element to an educational experience that is intentionally designed to be flexible and accessible. Our university has nearly 2,000 mentors supporting more than 190,000 students nationwide each day. WGU mentors celebrate milestones, help students navigate obstacles, provide encouragement, ask thoughtful questions and help students see possibilities they may not yet see in themselves.
One thing that often surprises people: WGU students typically begin and end their journey with the same mentor. That consistency allows the mentor to develop a deep understanding of the student's goals, strengths, challenges and support needs over time. This continuity helps create a more personalized and supportive experience.
Life continues to happen while students pursue their degrees. Many are balancing careers, families, financial responsibilities and other commitments. Mentors take the time to understand each student's unique situation and connect them with resources when needed. Through regular interaction, trust develops between mentor and student, making the relationship highly personal and meaningful, even without in-person meetings.
Human Connection and Belonging Foster Engagement
Students learn best when they feel connected, supported and motivated. Research has shown that a strong sense of belonging is one of the best predictors of a student’s engagement and overall success. Relationships strengthen confidence, increase persistence and help learners overcome challenges that might otherwise cause them to stop.
Technology and human connection are not competing forces in education. They're complementary ones.
Thank you to Kelli and to every WGU mentor who invests in our students each day. Your encouragement, compassion and belief in others are a daily reminder of what sits at the heart of this work.
Because the future of education isn't about choosing between technology and human connection. It's about using technology intentionally so educators can spend more time doing what matters most: mentoring, encouraging and inspiring learners.
Education will keep evolving. The human connection at its center never will.
