A student services department or center can provide guidance and resources for academic support to college students. In particular, student services can help learners in online programs feel supported throughout their college experience. Learn why studentservices are so important and how they can help you succeed as an online learner.
What Are Student Services?
Let’s start with a quick student services definition. “Student services” encompasses a variety of services and resources for students enrolled in college programs. Typically, these services are focused on helping you face the challenges of college and supporting your academic success.
Not all colleges offer the same services to support students, particularly when it comes to online learners. In a recent survey of higher education administrators, just one in 10 said their college offered wraparound support to working adult learners. That is a disappointing number, but colleges that are focused on empowering adult learners—such as Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU)—make a point to offer student services that all learners can access online.
If you’re looking to enroll in an online degree program, look for a program that offers the support you need to do your best academically and have a positive experience. Let’s look at three main ways student services can help you in your journey as an online learner.
Providing Personal Assistance
It might be nice to put the rest of life on hold while you focus on getting your degree, but the reality is that life goes on. All the joys and challenges you face in your job, family life, and personal activities will still be there while you’re working on your education.
There are times when you may feel overwhelmed. In these instances, it’s beneficial to have someone cheering you on and helping you through difficult circumstances. A support system is key, and knowing you have one in place can help you confidently enroll in college.
Your friends and family can be part of that support system, but it’s also helpful to have access to trusted advisors at your school. A student success coach or academic advisor can be a great lifeline to provide guidance and encouragement when you need it most.
Personal Assistance from Coaches Who Care at MVNU
At MVNU, our academic success coaches connect with you from the beginning and stay in touch to provide help when you need it, especially if you’re taking any courses that cause concern. Coaches also offer guidance in situations that may cause attendance issues, such as health problems, work-related interruptions, military duty, or family emergencies.
In short, academic success coaches ensure that none of our online learners fall through the cracks. Each student enrolled at MVNU is seen, valued, and supported every step of the way.
Supporting You Academically
Student services can provide various forms of academic support, including academic advising. Helping online students get to the finish line is critical because online students are 2.5 times more likely than on-campus students to drop out without a qualification.
Fortunately, research shows that academic advising leads to higher retention rates in college and that having access to advising can make the biggest difference for students who would otherwise be more likely to struggle. Whether you’re worried about your academic performance or feel confident in your abilities, academic advisors can help you stay on track academically so you complete the courses needed to fulfill your degree requirements.
With such valuable benefits to students, it’s no wonder that most colleges prioritize academic advising. However, the services academic advisors offer and the extent to which they’re involved with online learners can vary from one online degree program to another.
Academic Support to Help You Succeed at MVNU
At MVNU, academic success coaches play an active role in helping you succeed academically. This involves:
- Monitoring performance: Our academic success coaches closely monitor your GPA to ensure you meet the minimum program requirements and remain on track.
- Staying in touch: Coaches check in with you regularly to ensure things are going well and see whether you need assistance to do your best.
- Overcoming setbacks: Our coaches support you when a course is not successfully completed. In this situation, coaches will work with you to review your academic status and provide direction if the course needs to be rescheduled.
Connecting You to the Right Resources
Student services can be a helpful jumping-off point to connect you with other services and resources you may need.
Whether support services and resources are offered directly through the college or a third party, student services departments can help you access the assistance you need to feel fully supported throughout your educational experience.
Access a Wide Network of Services Through MVNU
At MVNU, our academic success coaches serve as a liaison, helping you get in touch with the right resources or personnel for valuable services. These services include:
- Tutoring: With tutoring services, you can gain a stronger grasp on challenging course material and successfully pass your courses.
- Career services: Our Career Development Center provides you with valuable services to help you set goals, explore career paths, and land a job you love after graduation.
- Disability services: If you have a disability, MVNU coaches will help you access appropriate accommodations. They will also remain in contact with you to ensure the accommodations serve you well.
Be Part of a Community That Serves and Celebrates Your Success at MVNU
With a variety of services available to support you throughout your online educational journey, you’ll never feel like just a number in the system at MVNU. Instead, you will feel like a valued member of our student body. We’re rooting for you as you take the leap to undertake an online degree program, and we’re here to support you each step of the way.
Ready to get started? Apply now!
