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DRIVER 1

Equitable Academic & Social Supports

A key lever for improving equitable student experience is ensuring that the institution’s approach to providing academic and social supports normalizes academic difficulty, connects students to supports in a way that is accessible and non-stigmatizing, and prepares student support personnel to help create an equitable student experience. 

Many students experience difficulty adjusting to college, which can make them question whether they belong and are capable of succeeding in college. They may also wonder how they are viewed by their school. While institutions offer many resources to support students when they experience academic difficulty, students may not be aware that these resources exist, or may be hesitant to use them if they believe that seeking help may be perceived negatively by their instructors or peers. 

For example, research demonstrates students are more likely to take advantage of campus resources when institutions communicate that experiencing academic difficulty is normal, that seeking support is a key strategy for success rather than a sign of weakness, and that all students are capable of growing their abilities and succeeding in college (Canning et. al., 2019, Brady, Kroeper, Henderson, Ozier, et. al. (In Progress)). These supportive messages also make students less likely to feel shame and stress about experiencing academic difficulty (Brady et. al, 2018). This kind of communication can come from academic advisors, tutors, instructors, and other campus personnel who provide student support services. 

Institutions in the SEP cohort piloted improvements to their early alerts messaging and implementation, as well as their advisor training. Browse the library below to learn more about their efforts.

A student checking their phone for alerts

CHANGE IDEA

Revise early alerts notifications emails to normalize academic difficulty

Institutions have an opportunity to destigmatize academic difficulty and connect students with resources through their early warning or early alert practices.

Learn More
A student checking their phone for alerts
Educator meeting with a student on a video conference

CHANGE IDEA

Engage instructors in communicating about early alerts to students

Instructors can play a critical role in communicating this to their students and in normalizing challenges in college.

Learn More
Educator meeting with a student on a video conference

CHANGE IDEA

Revise academic probation letters to convey belief in students’ potential

Institutions can increase the likelihood that students will successfully continue to complete their degrees by destigmatizing the academic probation and suspension process and providing support for students to return to good academic standing.

Learn More
An educator helping a student navigate challenges

CHANGE IDEA

Communicate about course withdrawal options

Instructors can help students navigate decisions about course withdrawal in a way that affirms their belief in students’ abilities, connects students to resources, and normalizes the experience of being challenged in college.

Learn More
An educator helping a student navigate challenges

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