ARCHER CAREER AWARDED ILLINOIS INNOVATION VOUCHER TO ADVANCE AGENTIC AI TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
Chicago, IL (October 28, 2025) – Archer Career, a leading provider of microlearning career education, has been awarded a competitive Illinois Innovation Voucher to accelerate the development of its next-generation AI-powered platform, Archer AI.
Archer AI is a new technology designed to reimagine how students engage with career and academic resources—especially during vulnerable transition points like the shift from freshman to sophomore year. The platform leverages behavioral science and artificial intelligence to deliver timely nudges, encouragement, and personalized microlearning in 10-minute, mobile-first modules that help students stay on track and succeed.
“Archer AI represents a bold leap in how we support early-career learners—not just by giving them resources, but by keeping them engaged and accountable in real time,” said Archer Career CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Pam Schilling. “This grant allows us to pilot new functionality that delivers measurable impact at scale, particularly for institutions looking to drive student retention and success.”
This innovation is being developed in collaboration with DePaul University, Archer Career’s higher education partner on the project. Together, they are launching a pilot program designed to support at-risk students by embedding AI into the student experience during the critical summer bridge between the first and second year of college.
“DePaul is committed to supporting student success and using data to make timely, strategic interventions,” said Dr. Jaclyn Jensen, Professor of Management and Associate Dean for Student Success at DePaul University. “Our collaboration with Archer Career and the development of Agentic AI holds enormous promise for helping students feel more confident and connected—and ultimately more likely to thrive and persist.”
Archer Career delivers scalable, data-informed career development—built for how early professionals learn and grow today. Our mission is to make career readiness a competitive advantage, not a barrier. The platform is already trusted by leading institutions including Chicago Booth, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and Virginia Tech. This latest investment enables the company to expand its technology stack with an AI layer built for human-centered engagement, bringing structure, momentum, and motivation to students when they need it most.
The Illinois Innovation Voucher Program is designed to support groundbreaking work by Illinois-based companies. Archer Career’s winning proposal focuses on improving educational impact, retention, and career readiness outcomes through intelligent automation.
About Archer Career:
Archer Career is solving a critical challenge in higher education and the workforce: how to scale effective, high-impact career development in a way that truly prepares early career professionals to deliver from day one. Our platform combines microlearning, data-informed design, and behavioral science to drive learner engagement and measurable outcomes. Archer Career is the leading career readiness platform supporting graduate students and postdocs through structured, 10-minute modules and high-impact career readiness courses—empowering career offices to expand their reach, enhance their impact, and close the workforce readiness gap.
Check us out at archercareer.com and on LinkedIn. Curious about our software? Ask for a demo—we love showing it off. If we don’t reply right away, we’re probably mid-launch—be patient, be creative, and keep reaching out.
About the DePaul University:
DePaul University is the nation’s largest Catholic university and a respected leader in urban, student-centered education. Founded in 1898 and rooted in the Vincentian tradition, DePaul is known for its commitment to access, service, and experiential learning. With over 300 academic programs across ten colleges—including strong offerings in business, law, technology, communication, and the arts—DePaul prepares students to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce. Deeply connected to Chicago’s industries and communities, DePaul emphasizes real-world engagement, social responsibility, and inclusive excellence.