Creating an online community that mirrors a school’s physical campus is another way to retain online students.
This can be achieved by digitizing freshman orientation, mental health counseling, and career and rÁ©sumÁ© services.
Link to main story: College students learning online, but stepping on campus
“Just because a student is online doesn’t mean they don’t have socio-emotional support needs,” says Kevin Kruger, president of NASPA, an association for student affairs professionals.
Messiah College in Pennsylvania created an online orientation module, listing mental health services and other useful information. Skyping, Zoom sessions and phone conferences connect students with mentors, professors and advisors. In addition, a tutoring company gives online students specialized feedback on writing assignments, in lieu of a more traditional writing center.
