When I was six, my family immigrated to the United States. Like many children adapting to a new environment, I struggled academically. The traditional education system failed me, and I quickly fell behind.
Fortunately, my mother sought out one-on-one tutoring, providing me with the personalized help I needed. This support not only helped me catch up but ultimately enabled me to thrive. That experience inspired me to start tutoring others, driven by a desire to offer the same kind of support that had made such a difference in my life.
That personal journey led me to becoming a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, founding Knack in 2015 and it is now one of higher ed’s fastest growing student success platforms, with a mission to modernize how students learn with and support each other. After almost a decade, we’ve launched on more than 100 campuses, serving thousands of students nationwide.
The recognition we’ve received—like Lumina Foundation’s Education Innovation Prize and support from education leaders such as the founder of High-Impact Practices and NSSE, Dr. George Kuh, and global educator and award-winning author, Esther Wojcicki—reaffirms that our work is making a difference.
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Despite institutions spending thousands annually per student on support services, students remain greatly underprepared and socially isolated. We are now more “connected” than ever, but today’s students are increasingly disconnected, leading to what I call “lonely learning.” Enrollment is declining, and even enrolled students often lack the academic foundation and essential soft skills needed for lifelong success. And with all this, student learning outcomes are not improving—they’re declining.
The absence of meaningful peer interactions outside the classroom exacerbates stress, anxiety, and isolation. Students who are academically behind or experiencing pressure often feel as though they don’t belong—this academic and social isolation is deeply interwoven and must be addressed together. Success in school isn’t just about classroom learning—it’s about the network you build and the human support you receive. Peer (human) connections play a crucial role in addressing underpreparedness and lonely learning.
Reflecting on my own journey—coming here as an immigrant, struggling academically and now serving as an entrepreneur—surrounding myself with peers and witnessing their growth and success is what gave me (and gives me) the confidence and support to strive for the same. Peer relationships provide the connection-points and foundation for long-term success, offering a blueprint as students engage and learn from each other, building strong, resilient communities.
3 big student success steps
The world is moving rapidly, and keeping up can feel overwhelming. But when institutions avoid change, saying things like, “we’d rather close or merge than change,” it’s not just a missed opportunity—it’s a failure to fulfill our mission to serve students.
We can no longer afford to move at a pace that feels comfortable, diplomatic and safe in the short term—public trust is quickly withering as we form countless task forces and committees to try and execute on strategic plans. We need to place students at the forefront of every decision.
Here are three concrete ways institutional leaders can turn bold ideas into bold actions:
- Invest in Student-Led Programs: Commit resources to develop structured programs and interventions that enable meaningful human connections among students. These peer interactions are deeply interwoven with both academic and social success. By creating collaborative learning communities or platforms where students engage in shared academic and social interests, institutions can address the interconnected challenges of academic underpreparedness and social isolation.
- Involve Students in Solution Design: Treat students as the true paying customers that they are by actively engaging them in the process of selecting and implementing new technologies and support services. Organize student focus groups where they can directly test and implement new technologies in real-world settings. Establish continuous feedback loops to ensure that solutions evolve in line with student needs.
- Vocalize, Incentivize, and Recognize Positive Change Management: Create a culture for faculty and staff where agility is paired with accountability and where innovation is rewarded. Leaders must take an active role in setting new initiatives up for success, ensuring clear objectives, timelines and resources while holding individuals and teams accountable.
We know what needs to be done; the challenge is implementing these ideas swiftly and effectively. Leadership effectiveness is measured by outcomes, not just ideas. Without a deliberate shift in culture and tactical leadership, inaction will persist and students will continue to be left behind.
As educators and leaders, we have a moral obligation to prepare students not just for today’s challenges but for the uncertainties ahead. The time for bold, transformative action is now.
