🎓 Insights on Systematic and Inclusive Onboarding for New Students and Their Supporters
🖊️ Author: David Morales, CEO & Founding Developer, Visualzen
đź“Ť Featuring Insights from: Dr. Dennis Wiese, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte,
🔑 Introduction: A Common Misconception
In higher education, student supporters—parents, guardians, mentors, and advocates—are often seen as obstacles to streamlined processes. Whether it’s concerns about “helicopter parenting” or fears of over-involvement, institutions sometimes unintentionally sideline these individuals. But here’s a game-changing truth:
Supporters are not a limitation—they are an asset to student success.
This perspective shift isn’t just about inclusion; it’s about strategically integrating supporters into the onboarding and success journey to create better outcomes for everyone involved.
During a recent OrientationMatters interview, Dr. Dennis Wiese, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, shared valuable thoughts on building systematic, intentional, and inclusive onboarding experiences. His insights reinforced my belief in the critical role supporters play in student success.
đź’ˇ Insight: The Value of Supporters in Student Success
Supporters play a vital role in helping students navigate the often overwhelming landscape of higher education. They provide emotional encouragement, logistical support, and sometimes even financial assistance—all critical factors for student retention and achievement.
However, when institutions fail to engage supporters intentionally, they miss out on a powerful opportunity to:
Instead of viewing supporters as “outsiders” or “interfering agents,” institutions should see them as key stakeholders in the onboarding and student success journey.
As Dr. Dennis Wiese mentioned in our conversation:
“Supporters are not a limitation; they are an asset to student success.”
This simple but profound truth serves as a reminder that effective onboarding isn’t just about students—it’s about their entire support network.
🛠️ Actionable Strategies for Engaging Supporters Effectively
In our conversation, I reflected on key strategies institutions can adopt to better engage student supporters:
1. Build Dedicated Supporter Communication Channels:
2. Offer Supporter-Focused Orientation Sessions:
3. Create Resource Hubs for Supporters:
When institutions empower supporters with the right tools and knowledge, they become powerful allies in student success.
🎓 Real Impact: When Institutions Get It Right
Institutions that have prioritized supporter engagement have seen measurable improvements in student retention, satisfaction, and graduation rates. By intentionally creating space for supporters in the student journey, campuses are not just managing stakeholders—they’re building collaborative partnerships.
One key takeaway here: When supporters feel informed, valued, and included, their ability to positively influence student outcomes multiplies.
📢 Conclusion: A Call to Action
Onboarding processes must be systematic, intentional, and inclusive to truly meet the needs of every student. This includes intentionally designing pathways for student supporters to engage meaningfully.
It’s time for higher education professionals to shift their mindset. Supporters are not barriers—they are bridges. They are connectors, motivators, and critical players in the student success ecosystem.
Institutions that lean into this reality will not only see improved student outcomes but will also build deeper trust with families and supporters—trust that lasts well beyond orientation day.
How does your institution currently engage student supporters? What’s one small step you could take today to make them feel more included?
🎥 Want to Learn More?
Watch the full interview with Dr. Dennis Wiese on OrientationMatters Season 2, Episode 1: “Breaking the Mold, Nontraditional Students.”
👉 Explore how VZO supports onboarding success: www.govzo.com/case-studies
Let’s turn simple details into powerful outcomes—together.
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