The Power of Community In Building College Experiences
We all know that fostering a strong sense of community among your students is critical. As is common at smaller private or state institutions, approximately a quarter of first-time first-year students do not persist to their second year, translating into millions of lost tuition, fee, housing, and food revenue.
A strong community provides a sense of belonging and support for college students, which, in turn, enhances their college experience and increases their likelihood of staying enrolled and completing their studies. Sounds wonderful, but how should we do this?
- One effective approach is through extracurricular activities. By participating in clubs, sports, and other activities, students can develop friendships and interests outside of their academic courses. These activities can also provide valuable leadership and teamwork experiences that can help students grow and succeed.
- Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students can help foster a sense of community. This includes providing support and resources for underrepresented groups, such as first-generation college students, students with disabilities, and students from diverse backgrounds.
- Reinforcing a strong emphasis on building student networks helps build long-lasting relationships. Encouraging students to explore new interests with peers leads to friendships that grow throughout their college experience, strengthening their sense of belonging.
Community is a crucial element of the college experience. By fostering a sense of belonging and support for your students, you can improve retention rates and support their success. Whether through extracurricular activities, inclusive practices, or reinforcing student networking capabilities, there are many ways to build a strong and supportive community for your college. If you are interested in exploring how to better foster strong and supportive communities at your college, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We may be able to help.