Creating Connections and Belonging: Inclusive Digital Communities for Adult Learners
Explore how to create inclusive digital communities that cater to the needs of adult learners. This session features insights from Kennesaw State University and Alamo Colleges District, focusing on overcoming challenges and fostering supportive and engaging online environments. Learn best practices and strategies to build inclusive digital communities that enhance the success of adult learners.

Featuring
- Luke Dowden, Chief Online Learning Officer / Associate Vice Chancellor at Alamo Colleges District
- Julia Fuller, EdD, Interim Executive Director for Digital Learning and Associate Professor of Instructional Technology at Kennesaw State University

Resources

Discussion Slides
Webinar Recording: How Alamo Colleges Online Uses Digital Communities to Boost Engagement and Build Connections

InScribe Communities Increase Belonging and Improve Student Outcomes

• Support teams using InScribe reported a 23% decrease in duplicate student support requests.

• Prospective students who engaged with InScribe during the enrollment process were twice as likely to matriculate.

• Schools reported a 7-point increase in Net Promoter Score from students who used InScribe.

• InScribe partners saw a 10% improvement in the number of students receiving A grades.

• InScribe partners reported an 8% increase in successful course completion among their students.

• In a recent study, students who engaged with InScribe reported significantly higher levels of belonging and peer connectedness.

Building Community Online to Drive Engagement and Retention

Creating a sense of belonging and community for fully online students is a key driver of student success and retention. In this session, leaders from Indiana University Bloomington, University of Maryland Global Campus, University of North Texas, and Indiana State University will share their experiences and data-backed strategies for fostering engagement through digital community initiatives. Attendees will learn how Indiana University Online’s peer mentoring program supports online graduate students, the lessons applied from their undergraduate program, and how to measure key indicators like sense of belonging and academic help-seeking without added administrative burden. Additionally, case studies from UMGC’s global approach to connecting diverse students and UNT’s strategies that increased student persistence by 13% will provide actionable insights. Explore best practices for implementing digital communities that boost student satisfaction and retention.

Featuring
- Whitnie Powell, Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Management and Student Services at Indiana University Online
- Marsha Fortney, First Year Experience & Student Orientation, Student Engagement & Achievement at UMGC
- Stephanie Myers, MPA, Interim Director of DSI Enterprise at University of North Texas
- Samantha Nikolai, Associate Provost for Online Education at Indiana State University

Resources

Presentation Slides
Case Study: How University of North Texas increased persistence by 13% with InScribe virtual community platform.
Case Study: How UMGC increased course success by 13 pts, persistence by 13 pts, and social cohesion with InScribe.

Partner Success Stories

Learn how the nations leading institutions are leveraging InScribe virtual communities to improve outcomes, increase belonging, and empower learners.