The Covid-19 pandemic left a lasting impact on US Higher Education (HE), fundamentally altering how student affairs are managed. As students returned to campus over the past four years, HE professionals faced new challenges in fostering engagement, rebuilding social skills, and addressing the compounded basic needs of their student populations. 

The Impact of Covid

More than four years on, HE professionals still face a daunting task in navigating the aftermath of Covid-19. Majorly, the sudden pivot to online education exposed sizeable disparities in digital access and technological literacy among students, complicating efforts to maintain educational continuity. Beyond academic concerns, prolonged periods of social isolation have exacerbated mental health challenges among student populations, necessitating enhanced support services and proactive interventions. Moreover, the economic fallout of the pandemic has heightened financial insecurity among students, amplifying demands for robust financial aid and emergency assistance programs. 

Our series, The Interview, features insights from leading professionals in student affairs across the US who share their strategies and experiences in navigating this new landscape. Here, we share some of the most valuable pieces of advice we’ve heard from our guests.

Rebuilding Campus Engagement and Community

Since the return of students to campus, maintaining engagement and a sense of community has been a top priority. Universities have had to rethink their approach to campus activities and social events, ensuring that they are inclusive and accessible to all students. This involves organizing a variety of events, from large-scale gatherings to smaller, more intimate activities that cater to diverse interests and backgrounds.

Frank Cuevas, Vice Chancellor for Student Life at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, emphasizes the importance of creating an inclusive environment where every student feels they belong:

When students began returning to campus, it was our priority to keep them engaged – scaling activities and events to help them feel that presence here on campus. It’s about creating an environment in which you matter, with a culture of respect, and where you can find your community. 

The aim is to create a vibrant campus life where every student feels a sense of belonging and can easily find their community. Cuevas goes on to say:

No matter where students come from, they should be able to feel like they belong here. We want to teach students how to be engaged in a community, so when they leave here they can go out and pay it forward.

Learn more from Frank's experience and expertise in his full feature here.

Addressing Gaps in Interpersonal Skills

The pandemic's disruption of in-person learning and socialization has led to noticeable gaps in students' interpersonal skills. As campuses reopened, universities found that many students lacked essential social skills that were traditionally developed through face-to-face interactions and group activities. 

Jen Shaw, Vice President of Student Affairs at Saint Leo University, highlights the significant investment in teaching these essential skills to new cohorts:

For our community, it’s been about engagement. We found that new cohorts post-COVID lacked interpersonal skills; we have to remember that these students have primarily learned from home in recent years. 

Saint Leo is now investing in programs and workshops focused on teaching these crucial skills to help students better navigate their social environments:

We’ve invested a lot of time in teaching students how to communicate effectively with their peers to make up for the social engagement they missed during that time.

Learn more from Jen's experience and expertise in her full feature here.

Navigating Social Challenges and Academic Rigor

Shaw wasn’t the only HE professional we spoke to who was concerned about students’ interpersonal skills – it’s a common concern for educators across the country. The pandemic disrupted students' socialization opportunities and academic routines, presenting unique challenges as they readjust to campus life. The sudden shift to online learning and prolonged isolation has left many students struggling to reintegrate into the social and academic fabric of university life.

William Hudson, Vice President of Student Affairs at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, addresses the dual challenge of social and academic reintegration:

The pandemic really affected students’ opportunities to socialize with their peers. Sometimes, we might need to educate students about how to be social and how to interact with each other – that’s a huge challenge as well. 

These challenges are compounded by the need to readjust to the demands of in-person classes and the rigorous academic standards that may feel more daunting after a period of remote learning:

That’s happening alongside academic challenges for students, while they're trying to adjust back to being in the classroom and the rigor of college courses.

Learn more from William's experience and expertise in his full feature here.

Empowering Students to Resolve Conflicts

Effective conflict resolution is a critical skill that many students need to develop further post-pandemic. Universities are noticing an increase in conflict reports and a tendency among students to seek administrative intervention rather than resolving issues independently. 

Dr. Rick Ezekiel, Vice-Provost of Student Affairs at Dalhousie University, discusses the shift in their approach to fostering these skills among students:

Since our return to campus, we’ve seen an increasing number of conflict reports, and found that students are more likely to come to us for solutions rather than work out issues amongst themselves. 

This trend highlights the need for students to learn how to manage disagreements constructively. By providing guidance and resources, universities aim to empower students to handle conflicts themselves, fostering a more resilient and self-sufficient student body. As Dr. Ezekiel goes on to say:

That’s why we’ve focused on rebuilding those foundational social skills like navigating conflict, de-escalating disagreements, and intervening if someone’s causing harm to others. Rather than solving conflicts on a student’s behalf, we act as sounding boards so they can find useful paths to resolution themselves, and develop those important social skills.

Learn more from Rick's experience and expertise in his full feature here.

Holistic Support for Basic Needs

The pandemic has exacerbated the complexity of students' basic needs, requiring a more holistic approach to support. Students are now more likely to face multiple challenges simultaneously, such as housing insecurity, food insecurity, and mental health issues. 

Dr. Jose Dela Cruz, Vice President of Student Affairs at Portland Community College, discusses the need for a broader, more integrated support strategy:

Basic needs support for students has always been a focus for Student Affairs teams, but we’ve had to think critically about how we provide that support following the pandemic. Instead of facing only housing insecurity, food insecurity, financial insecurity, or issues with emotional and mental well-being, our students are much more likely to face several issues at once.

This multifaceted crisis necessitates a comprehensive support strategy that addresses the various dimensions of student well-being. By adopting an integrated approach, universities can better support their students' overall success and well-being.

That’s created a need for Student Affairs practitioners to think holistically about student journeys, and how we can meet each student’s basic needs.

Learn more from Jose's experience and expertise in his full feature here.

Conclusion

The post-pandemic landscape of US higher education has demanded significant adjustments in how institutions manage and support their student populations. From rebuilding engagement and community to addressing gaps in interpersonal skills and conflict resolution, universities are continually evolving to meet new challenges. 

By fostering environments where students feel included and supported, and by providing comprehensive, holistic support for their basic needs, institutions can help students not only recover from the pandemic's impacts but also thrive in their academic and personal lives. 

About GoodCourse

Universities trust GoodCourse to enhance student experience through engaging training courses designed for today’s learners. 

By combining social-media-style content with expert research, GoodCourse offers effective education on topics ranging from preventing sexual harassment to developing interpersonal skills. This approach equips both students and staff with the necessary tools to create safer, more inclusive campus environments.

Talk to a member of our team today to learn about how other universities are improving student outcomes, increasing engagement, and meeting regulatory requirements.