In the competitive landscape of higher education, student retention is a primary concern for community colleges. Retaining students starts on day one: a well-structured orientation program can significantly impact a student's journey, setting the stage for student success and promoting a sense of belonging.
While traditional in-person orientations have been the norm in higher education, the rise of online orientation platforms have introduced a new era of possibilities. We’ll explore the strong correlation between online orientations and increased student retention rates and how these online platforms can drive success and elevate the overall student experience.
The Power of An Orientation in Shaping Student Retention
Research has consistently demonstrated the positive impact of orientation programs on student retention. One survey of 25,000 college students found that those who had a positive experience with their first-year orientation program were 17% more likely to report positive feelings about their experience as a whole. And happy students tend to stay at the institutions that make them happy.
These programs are crucial for new students – they provide a sense of security in a new, unfamiliar environment. According to a report from EdSurge, a lot of new college students post-pandemic are exhibiting more tendencies to choose the “safe” option: they’re opting to stay home, or their waiting to schedule their orientation for a time when they can meet up with their new roommate or another classmate they’ve already met.
Students are finding it more difficult than ever to forge new connections and build their sense of belonging. And yet, evidence from studies like that of Jennifer Morrow and Margot Ackermann have shown us that developing a sense of belonging in a student's first year is critical to whether or not they will be retained, as over half (56%) of all student departures occur after their first year.
This is where orientation programs can still have a significant, positive impact. When students are introduced to their school at the right time, in the right setting, with the right information, they’re more likely to have the confidence to follow through on their academic journey. Providing a variety of orientation options that focus on flexibility can make students feel even more comfortable and more connected to their new peers and campus community.
The Correlation Between Online Orientation and Retention: New Research
A recent study conducted by Rachel Lerner Colucci at a mid-size community college in the mid-Atlantic region examined the impact and effectiveness of online orientation programs on student retention and success. Colucci found that:
- Fall-to-Spring Retention: Students who completed the online orientation program were more likely to return for the following semester, compared to those who started but didn’t finish or didn’t attempt the online program at all.
- Cumulative GPA: Students who completed the online orientation program had a higher cumulative GPA after their first semester than those who didn’t finish or never started the online orientation.
These findings further support the idea that orientation programs can have a measurable, positive impact on student retention and academic performance at community colleges, and that online orientation platforms can be a tool to extend orientation resources to more incoming students in a flexible and accessible way.
The Advantages of An Online Orientation
While all forms of new-student orientation can positively affect a student’s experience, there are several distinct advantages to online orientation platforms over more traditional, in-person orientation experiences:
- Flexibility and Accessibility: Students can access and complete orientation modules and materials at their own pace and convenience, accommodating varying schedules and learning styles for diverse student populations.
- Personalized Experience: Online orientation platforms enable the creation of customizable content, tailored to individual student groups, programs, needs, and interests.
- Enhanced Engagement: The incorporation of interactive features – such as quizzes, videos, and discussion forums – can foster greater student engagement and information retention.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Online orientation platforms can reduce costs associated with in-person orientation events, the corresponding travel arrangements often required of students and their families to attend, and the logistical arrangements for both the school and their students.
Axis: A Tailored Orientation Solution
All signs point to the importance and effectiveness of an online orientation experience for your students. But to build the right program that will provide the optimal experience for your students and can be easily administered by your staff, you need the right platform.
Axis by Acevox is a cutting-edge online orientation platform designed to meet the specific needs of both administrators and the student population at community colleges. With its customizable features and user-friendly interface, Axis empowers institutions to create a personalized and engaging onboarding experience.
Key benefits of Axis include content flexibility, centralized student progress tracking, interactive features, seamless integration with campus systems, and so much more.
Axis was built with student retention in mind, and its capabilities align closely with research-backed strategies on improving retention. With an orientation experience from Axis, your community college can see:
- Increased student engagement and satisfaction throughout the onboarding process
- Improved academic preparation and guidance
- Boosted long-term retention and completion rates
