Belonging: The Proven Path to Recruit & Retain More Students
A panel of campus leaders share how they improved enrollment and persistence with advancing student connection.
Belonging is more than a feeling—it’s a “must have” to improve students’ commitment to enroll, start and thrive throughout their college journey. In this session, leaders from a range of private and public universities share how they increased enrollment, yield, retention and student well-being by creating intentional opportunities for students to connect meaningfully with their peers and institutions alike.
Panelists include:
- Dr. Stephanie Hanenberg: Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and former president of the American College Health Association (ACHA)
- Dr. Frank E. Ross III: Vice President for Student Affairs at Butler University (2017-2024) and advisory board member of the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas
- Aaron Lindberg: Director of Admissions at California State University, Northridge with 20+ years of experience across multiple roles in the Cal State System
- Dustin Manocha: Founder and CEO of Nearpeer, pioneering the intersection of student connectedness and its positive impact on college student enrollment and success
This panel discussion will focus on the unmet need for student connection and belonging, and its large impact on recruitment and retention. Learn best practices to achieve measurable gains in yield and retention by connecting incoming recruits to their peers, campus resources and university staff.
Join Nearpeer and higher education leaders to discover how you can apply these insights within your own institution in the months ahead, and uncover strategies to help students feel supported and connected on campus.
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