Building Confidence and Connection: NAU’s First-Year Success Strategy Powered by Digital Communit

The first-year experience is critical to student success—but for many incoming students, especially first-generation or those from rural areas, the transition to university life can be overwhelming. Without prior exposure to academic systems or strong support networks, students often face self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and barriers to accessing key resources.

To meet these challenges, Northern Arizona University (NAU) reimagined its onboarding experience by launching a centralized Advising Hub, a digital community that offers a sense of belonging, peer support, and access to advisors. Built in partnership with InScribe and supported by the Arizona Innovation Alliance, this initiative is helping NAU create a more inclusive, connected, and responsive support system.

NAU leaders will share:

• How NAU designed its digital Advising Hub to support first-year and transfer students.

• Approaches to fostering peer-to-peer learning and reducing student isolation.

• Practical strategies to scale support services without sacrificing personalization.

NAU’s model demonstrates how thoughtful use of digital communities can improve student confidence, reduce advisor workload, and drive early engagement.

This session offers actionable takeaways for institutions looking to strengthen onboarding, support diverse student populations, and foster a sense of belonging from day one.