Student Success Wrapped: What You Wanted to Know About Supporting Students

Since Feb. 6, 2023, Inside Higher Ed has provided campus stakeholders with the newest stats, ideas and innovations happening across the nation to improve college students’ retention, persistence and graduation.

Looking back at 12 months of data from its news hub, the Student Success team identified six trends institutional leaders and student success professionals wanted to learn more about.

1. Data mining. Among the most read articles, student surveys ranked highest, including our own Student Voice insights, based on surveys conducted by Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse.

• Getting a glimpse at student learning was most important to readers, with insights from the spring 2023 Student Voice survey focused on academic life ranking the highest among all Student Success articles.
• A May report from Trellis Research asked students about their financial wellness and how it impacts success indicators.
• A Student Voice survey about student health and wellness, also conducted this past spring, found stress is impacting their mental health, with a majority of students experiencing chronic stress.

2. New programs pique interest. Colleges and universities are investing in new interventions to address student success for their unique student group. The three that stood out to readers:

• To improve career outcomes, the City University of New York created 12 apprenticeship programs for students pursuing an associate degree.
• Washington University in St. Louis established a student success center to improve resources for first-generation and limited-income students.
• Two faculty members at Nazareth College created dog office hours, allowing students to visit with registered therapy dogs to destress during the day.

3. Teaching tips wanted. Faculty members are critical in students’ academic success, and professors looked for ways to better engage with their students.

• Instructors shared how they renamed office hours to increase access and engagement as well as reduce student anxiety.
• Three faculty members shared practices they implement in their daily teaching routines to promote student success, including inspiring creativity, teaching self-care and sharing learning outcomes with learners.
• Professors are often on the front lines of supporting student stress and mental health, so learning what students want or don’t want from their faculty to improve their mental health is important.

4. A focus on community. Investing in students’ success includes creating connections, both in the classroom and outside. Popular content about connecting that caught readers’ attention:

• A study at Indiana University found students who completed a belonging exercise during orientation were more likely to retain throughout their first year.
• Research from Tyton Partners found when students are connected to services and staff, they are more likely to feel as though they belong at their college or university.
• One group helps professors become more connected with their students through promoting approachability, giving tips for instructors to be more relatable and personable.

5. Campus construction caused a buzz. Beyond creating a caring community, colleges and universities are investing in physical spaces to promote student success.

• Health and wellness spaces, including a Brain Gym at Virginia Tech, a Reflection Room at Virginia Commonwealth University and new health center at Princeton University, promote student thriving.
• Low-sensory rooms are on the rise in college campuses. Rider University’s student government funded a Zen Den to support neurodiverse students and others who need quiet relaxation.
• Marquette University will open a combined recreation and wellness center on campus later this year, consolidating touch points for well-being.

6. Sharing the love. Beyond reading and engaging with the newsletter, readers distributed tips for student success on social media. The top three articles on social media included:

• Three tips for helping students read the syllabus.
• A headshot photo booth that provides students with professional photos.
• How to create a first-day survey to engage with students at the start of the term.