Research shows that supportive relationships and meaningful learning experiences are vital to students’ long-term well-being. To be successful, many students need help overcoming nonacademic barriers that colleges are helping to lower. Along with food and housing, child care, and transportation, mental health is increasingly recognized as a key to student success. The stakes are especially high for low-income, minority, and first-generation college students, who have traditionally had a harder time navigating academe’s hidden curriculum.
Reimagining the Student Experience explores the many forces affecting the student experience: the projected enrollment cliff, demands from parents and lawmakers, the changing student demographics, and new expectations from the racial-justice movements. The pandemic highlighted what mattered most about the campus experience and college leaders are looking for changes and innovations that are likely to last.
