United States Distance Learning Association Q&A

Katy Kappler, CEO of InScribe on Building Community in Digital Learning

Katy Kappler, CEO of InScribe

As student needs grow more complex and institutions look for ways to better support learners at scale, InScribe is reimagining how connection and community drive success in education. In this Q&A with the United States Distance Learning Association, Katy Kappler, Co-Founder and CEO of InScribe, shares how the organization is helping institutions build digital spaces where students feel seen, supported, and empowered. From increasing persistence rates to reducing support costs, InScribe’s AI-powered communities are proving that when students feel like they belong, they thrive.

USDLA: Tell us about your organization in 2025 and the need it is filling in the distance learning marketplace.

InScribe: InScribe is a mission-driven company dedicated to improving learner outcomes by fostering a sense of belonging and social capital through digital communities. We understand most of today’s learners are non-traditional adults juggling various commitments. As learners navigate these challenges, institutions must provide scalable, cost-effective solutions that enable on-demand, meaningful connections and effective support.

Our primary offering, InScribe Communities, is an AI-powered platform that connects students with peers, faculty, and support staff in collaborative digital spaces. 

Fostering student success is more than providing resources—it’s about intentionally building inclusive communities where learners feel connected, supported, and empowered. Through our client advisory services, we collaborate closely with institutions to envision, build, and maintain these digital spaces with an intentional, human-first approach.

We’ve seen firsthand that thoughtfully designed communities help learners excel—by connecting them with people, solutions, and advice that helps them through tough times. Belonging can’t be dictated; learners must discover it through genuine opportunities for inclusion and connection. Designing with purpose is key, and we’re committed to ensuring our partners' communities aren’t just functional, but truly transformative.

USDLA: What have been your organization’s biggest wins?

InScribe: At InScribe, we’ve transformed student engagement and outcomes through strong partnerships with diverse institutions. Our biggest wins include:

  • Boosting persistence and success:

  • At Western Governors University, first-year math students using InScribe were twice as likely to remain enrolled.

  • University of North Texas experienced a 13% increase in student persistence

  • University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) reported a 13-point increase in course success rates and persistence, 19 percentage points more likely to earn an A, and a significant boost in social cohesion.

  • Strengthening belonging and peer connections:

  • Rio Salado College users reported 40% higher levels of belonging and a 14% increase in peer connectedness within just six weeks.

  • Reducing institutional support costs while improving response times and student satisfaction.

  • Expanding our AI-powered solutions to deliver proactive, just-in-time support.

  • Receiving industry recognition for driving digital learning transformation and student success.

These outcomes reinforce what we’ve always believed: when students feel connected and supported, they persist, succeed, and thrive.

USDLA: What are your biggest challenges?

InScribe: One of our biggest challenges is shifting mindsets about student support. Many institutions still rely on traditional, high-touch models that are difficult to scale and often not flexible enough for online environments. Helping institutions understand how community-driven engagement, supported by AI, can enhance—not replace—human connection remains an ongoing effort.

Additionally, as AI technology evolves, we remain committed to ensuring responsible and ethical implementation, prioritizing student privacy, transparency, and data security. The rapid pace of education technology demands we continually adapt while maintaining trust and integrity.

USDLA: Who is your ideal customer?

InScribe: Our ideal customers are institutions that prioritize innovation in student engagement and support. We partner with universities, community colleges, and online education providers looking to scale their student success initiatives in cost-effective, sustainable ways.

Whether supporting a fully online university that seeks deeper community connections, or community colleges focused on non-traditional learners, our solutions are tailored to meet the diverse needs of modern education.

USDLA: What does the future look like for your organization?

InScribe: InScribe’s future is about broadening our reach and deepening our impact beyond the degree, extending into lifelong learning and career success. We’re developing tools that deliver proactive, personalized support at scale—helping institutions engage students early and foster social capital and professional networks that last beyond graduation.

AI will continue enhancing efficiency, but for us, it will always be in service of creating stronger human connections. We’re also focused on bridging the gap between education and career, ensuring students maintain valuable connections to mentors, industry peers, and resources as they transition into the workforce.

Our goal is to become the go-to partner for institutions building equitable, scalable, and student-centered digital communities—empowering learners not just academically, but professionally throughout their lives.

USDLA: What can USDLA do to help support you?

InScribe: USDLA is a powerful advocate for distance learning, and we deeply value our relationship with both the organization and its members. We appreciate ongoing opportunities to collaborate, share insights, and highlight innovative practices in learner success. The experience, dedication, and expertise of USDLA members continually inspire and inform our work, and we look forward to continued conversations—whether through events, research partnerships, or simply exchanging ideas about best practices.

We’re grateful to be part of such an engaged and forward-thinking community dedicated to excellence in digital education.

About InScribe

InScribe is a digital student support platform that leverages the power of community and artificial intelligence to connect students with the answers, resources, and individuals they need to succeed. InScribe's digital communities cut across the traditional support silos in higher education, giving students a single place to turn when they need help—no matter the topic or time of day. Students benefit from on-demand, peer-to-peer, and student-to-expert collaboration which helps them feel more connected, increasing student engagement, satisfaction, and retention. Learn more about InScribe at https://www.inscribeapp.com/. 

Katy Kappler, Co-Founder and CEO of InScribe

Katy is an impact-driven CEO who has spent 25 years creating solutions that extend access to high-quality education for every student. She is the co-founder and CEO of InScribe, an innovative digital community platform that is proven to improve student outcomes, increase sense of belonging, and scale support for non-traditional and underserved student populations. Leveraging her experience and strategic abilities, Katy specializes in ed-tech innovations, student success, and communities of belonging.  

Katy graduated from Brown University and has an MBA from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

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Interested in learning more? Reach out to hello@inscribeapp.com.

Media, Interviews, ArticlesDanielle BonnerUSDLA