Recently, the US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, released an advisory on the epidemic of isolation and loneliness affecting the country. One could argue that the prevalence of remote work has only exacerbated this issue. However, the reality is that remote work is here to stay, and it’s time to shift our focus from debating its morality to exploring how we can make remote work engaging, appealing, and build stronger communities.
Higher educational institutions underwent a major change with the end of the pandemic. Reluctantly at first, institutions had to come to terms with the fact that a large portion of their student population chose not to return to in-person classes and preferred online learning. The pivot to online education needed to be quick, effective, and smooth. However, the focus on online education overlooked student experiences and their transition from in-person to online learning.
Online learning was limited to interactions that took place in class or one-on-one Zoom calls with professors. As a result, valuable spontaneous moments of learning in libraries, cafes, and parking lots across campuses were lost. These interactions were not just about creating a community, but also about student formation in holistic and important ways. As a result, virtual community engagement is paramount in online degree programs. Building a robust virtual community not only enhances student engagement and retention, but also increases connectivity among students and establishes various informal checkpoints across programs. Here are some ways virtual communities can benefit higher education:
1. Increased Connectivity: Virtual communities provide an excellent opportunity for institutions to connect with their students and create a space for students to connect with each other. Informal virtual spaces can serve as platforms for knowledge sharing and networking, fostering a sense of belonging and creating a positive and supportive learning environment.
2. Student Engagement, Success, and Retention: Peer-to-peer relationships are important in any work culture, including higher education. Creating spaces where these relationships can organically develop is crucial for student engagement, success, and retention. Regular check-ins can help students stay motivated, and virtual communities enable collaborative and supportive environments where students can work alongside each other, share resources, and exchange ideas. Learning in a community setting is beneficial.
3. Faculty and Staff Support: Virtual communities can also benefit faculty and staff. These spaces help them better understand their students while providing platforms for collaboration, idea-sharing, and professional development. This support is particularly important for adjunct faculty and staff who may not have access to traditional office spaces or face-to-face interaction opportunities. Virtual communities can also encourage faculty to consider innovative approached to their pedagogy.
4. Stronger Institutional Culture: Virtual communities contribute to building a stronger and more cohesive institutional culture. Instead of meeting students only once a year or at graduation, these virtual spaces foster bonds and create a supportive learning environment. This helps attract, retain, and engage students, faculty, and staff, creating a cohesive and inclusive institutional culture.
5. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Virtual communities in higher education institutions can promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Intentionally created spaces help dismantle traditional models of knowledge sharing and power dynamics. Strategies such as wisdom sharing, connecting through personal stories, peer-to-peer mentoring, and fostering mental and emotional well-being make these spaces inclusive for all students. Creating safe spaces for underrepresented groups to connect and share experiences and wisdom is particularly helpful. For institutions with globally diverse student populations, virtual communities enable knowledge and support exchange, enhancing the educational experience.
Building virtual communities is essential as more higher education institutions embrace online learning. However, it’s important to recognize that simply opening Zoom rooms, creating discussion posts, or holding interactive virtual events throughout the semester is not enough. Dedicated virtual community builders working with educators and administrators to intentionally create these spaces are essential in ensuring students feel connected and have a sense of belonging in their programs. As we continue to face the challenges of isolation and loneliness, our virtual campuses and the communal spaces we create online to connect our communities can serve as powerful catalysts, bridging gaps, and fostering a sense of belonging with compassion and care.
