In the last decade there has been a shift in higher education from expecting students to arrive on campus “college-ready” to understanding that institutions have a responsibility to be “student-ready.” The authors of Becoming a Student Ready College encourage institutions to enact campus cultures to ensure student success including aligning all services and activities so that all students have equal opportunity to make steady and efficient progress towards completing a degree or certificate. Read on to find 5 strategies all institutions can adopt to move towards being student-ready.

1. Develop Comprehensive Academic Support Services

Colleges should provide academic supports that include tutoring programs, writing centers, study groups, supplemental instruction, peer mentoring, coaching and academic advising services. Utilizing short videos on time management strategies or building a budget can facilitate students developing skills needed for academic support. Learn more about developing strategies for first year student success.

2. Provide Holistic Mental Health Services

71% of all students said they were struggling with stress, anxiety and depression in a recent survey by TimelyMD.To be student-ready, colleges must prioritize mental health services. This can involve on-campus counseling services, workshops on stress management, and awareness campaigns to reduce stigma around seeking help. To learn more about training your faculty & staff on recognizing and supporting mental health issues on campus check out Innovative Educators new micro-credential.

3. Ensure Robust Career Development Programs

Students need support to explore career options, develop professional skills, and connect with potential employers. This can include workshops on resume writing, interview skills, networking events, and internship opportunities. By equipping students with the necessary tools and resources for their future careers, colleges enhance student readiness for the job market.

4. Examine Financial Aid & Scholarships

Finances are the number one concern of college students. Institutions should ensure all learners have access to clear resources around topics like financing education, financial aid, and scholarship programs. Short videos can introduce prospective students to the financial aid process, breaking down a barrier to enrollment and degree completion.

5. Create Inclusive & Diverse Campus Environments

Colleges should create an inclusive and diverse campus environment that fosters a sense of belonging for all students. This can involve implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives, supporting student-led organizations, promoting cultural awareness, and organizing inclusive events. Learn more about how to go about creating student-ready campuses that close equity gaps with online student services from this recent webinar.

Higher education leaders and educators can shift institutions to becoming student-ready through examining practices and policies using these 5 strategies and then redesigning institutional programming in response.

For nearly 20 years, Innovative Educators has assisted college leaders to build foundations of success for their students. Institutions have seen student engagement and retention increase as a result of utilizing Go2Orientation, OnlineLingo and StudentLingo to onboard new students. Grounded in best practices for online learning, Innovative Educators student support tools are engaging, interactive, and community-building. Go2Orientation, OnlineLingo and StudentLingo together create a powerful online resource center providing support to students throughout their academic journey.

By Meg Foster
Online Learning & Design Specialist - Consultant
July 20, 2023