Developing Rapport With Students: Why It’s Important & How to Do It

Developing Rapport With Students: Why It's Important & How to Do It


Have you ever had a teacher ask you about your favorite hobby, share their interests, or stay after class to speak with you about the course material? While you may think these are signs of an enthusiastic teacher, they’re also examples of building rapport. Rapport requires professors to create an emotional connection between themselves and their students to establish trust and improve the overall learning environment.

Nationwide, colleges and universities struggle to secure suitable funds, fill their halls with qualified staff, and implement student retention best practices. And with many learners opting to forego college altogether, institutions are on the lookout for strategies to improve student success and increase retention. Building rapport is a highly accessible and affordable method to maximize the value of college while creating an environment students can’t wait to take advantage of.

What Is Rapport?


At its most basic level, rapport is the relationship of students with their teachers — an established connection that grows naturally or with common interests. This relationship grows as professors learn more about the learners in their classrooms. Establishing a meaningful rapport is a fantastic strategy for conveying information effectively and is crucial to building a safe, supportive, and productive environment.

Why Building Rapport Impacts Student Success


Between college’s social, emotional, and intellectual aspects, it can be tough for students to find their footing. Throw a negative teacher interaction on top and they could experience more stress or anxiety than they can handle. Establishing rapport is an essential skill that can do a world of good for all parties involved. It begins on the first day with the first few interactions and lasts the rest of your time with them.

While it’s not always easy for teachers to connect with their students, getting to know them will put them at ease. They’ll be more likely to open up and provide helpful information about themselves and their situation when feeling comfortable with you, which means you’ll be better equipped to guide them toward success. This collaboration also benefits teachers, improving faculty engagement to better facilitate learning and encourage student development.

Building rapport can also help students:

  • Reduce anxiety
  • Increase trust and respect
  • Create a positive learning environment
  • Instill a sense of accomplishment


The Most Common Positive Effects of Building Rapport


Allowing an advisor-student relationship to develop will have a positive influence on a student’s academic success, now and into the future. True relationships encourage students to care about and continue with their studies and thus increase student retention rates. Attentive teachers fuel this passion for education, striving to engage their students throughout the learning process by creating a lively atmosphere and fostering meaningful communication to overcome obstacles.

Creating student-rapport provides benefits including:

  • Higher student motivation: Students who enjoy rapport with instructors are more motivated to complete assignments and engage in class discussions.
  • Improved classroom dynamics: When you have rapport with your students, they are likely to listen to your instruction, which in turn fosters higher retention rates.
  • Better opportunities for intervention: Creating an open and trusting environment allows you to identify students who are struggling or falling behind and take proactive measures to assist them in getting back on track.
  • Elevated overall student satisfaction: Students will have a more positive outlook on their higher education institution and education when they feel safe and supported.


How to Build Rapport With Your Students


Establish rapport by finding common ground with the student. Do you share a favorite sports team? Do both of you have cats? Are you from the same hometown? Regardless of which similarities you home in on, the first step is to find something that interests you both.

Don’t forget, however, that the conversation must primarily be about the student. Active listening is a crucial component of building rapport with students. A teacher spends tons of time lecturing, giving instructions, and leading group discussions. Conversations with your students should focus on their interests, ambitions, concerns, and triumphs. The goal isn’t to solve their problems but to show your students that you care.

While getting to know your students, you should remain nonjudgmental and avoid interrupting them when speaking. Pay attention to their body language during class time and work hard not to display any negative facial expressions or body language that could send mixed signals. At the end of the day, all they want to know is that you’re there for them, ready to help them achieve their hopes and dreams.

10 Strategies to Successfully Build Rapport With Your Students


Building rapport with your students is critical to fostering trusting and successful relationships, so paying careful attention to how you interact with them is key. Some tips to help build a successful rapport with your students include the following:

  • Learn and use their names: Learn your students’ names and make it a point to use them during the discourse.
  • Ask questions: Ask students about their hobbies, outside interests, and long-term aspirations to get to know them better.
  • Create relevant examples: Make your course material relatable with personally relevant examples during lectures and discussions. Personalize their learning to connect them with you and their studies.
  • Give them extra time: Consider arriving early to class and staying late occasionally so you and your students can converse in a relaxed setting. Also, post and keep office hours so students can reach you outside of standard class times.
  • Get online: Utilize email or school discussion platforms to increase accessibility to your students.
  • Provide a safe space: Actively listen and create safe conversations, avoid judgment in your interactions, and encourage open and honest discussions.
  • Demonstrate mutual respect: If you expect your students to show you respect, make sure you’re showing them respect in return.
  • Empower your students: Involve students in decisions and give them a choice in relevant aspects of the coursework.
  • Inquire with intention: Use appropriate questioning techniques to elicit authentic and actionable responses.
  • Use nonverbal communication: Monitor your body language, eye contact, and gestures to convey openness and ease. Don’t forget to smile too!


Tips to Cultivate Meaningful Student Relationships


Creating ongoing rapport is about how you conduct yourself throughout student interactions. Learning outcomes are much more likely to improve if students feel comfortable around you and have an authentic connection with you. But, building meaningful rapport isn’t about checking off items on your checklist, and it isn’t about preaching to them. It requires lots of active listening and a genuine interest in who they are and what they want to get out of learning.

Rapport building should be a pivotal part of your teaching strategy, within which you should always act genuine, natural, and professional, and bear the following tips in mind:

  • Be positive throughout conversations.
  • Demonstrate empathy and respect.
  • Make intellectual connections with your students.
  • Don’t be afraid to crack a joke now and then, when appropriate.
  • Be consistent and follow through.
  • Relate to your students on personal matters when relevant.
  • Highlight students’ strengths and interests.


Ensure Student Success With Watermark Insights


Building rapport with students plays an essential role in their success. By building rapport, you get to know your students and create a relationship of mutual respect. When students respect you, they are more likely to engage in lectures and be motivated to complete assignments.

The Watermark Student Success & Engagement (formerly Aviso Coaching) software platform can help track and guide these important interactions between advisors and students. Using this software, student advisors can understand whether their efforts to build rapport with students are fruitful. To learn more about the other features and tools available in Watermark Student Success & Engagement and how you can help improve retention and student success at your institution, schedule a demo with us.

Ensure Student Success With Watermark Insights
MORE HELPFUL ARTICLES
Teaching creative problem-solving: Strategies for advisors and professors
Blog

Teaching creative problem-solving: Strategies for advisors and professors

Read Blog →
How to help students understand and navigate the FAFSA
Blog

How to help students understand and navigate the FAFSA

Read Blog →
Blog

Engaging modern learners: 9 innovative tools and techniques for success

Read Blog →
Go beyond retention: How to strategically plan for student success
Blog

Go beyond retention: How to strategically plan for student success

Read Blog →
An assessment of high-impact practices (HIP) for educational institutions
Blog

An assessment of high-impact practices (HIP) for educational institutions

Read Blog →
Blog

Legislation’s impact on diversity in higher education

Read Blog →
Gen P: How to anticipate their expectations
Blog

Gen P: How to anticipate their expectations

Read Blog →
Blog

Evaluation 101: What higher education institutions should consider when evaluating professors

Read Blog →
Blog

11 tips for choosing an educational intelligence software partner

Read Blog →
Blog

3 tips to improve your online teaching

Read Blog →
Blog

3 ways disruption makes assessment more relevant

Read Blog →
Blog

4 best practices for sustaining institutional effectiveness in a crisis

Read Blog →
Blog

4 questions every campus should ask about assessment

Read Blog →
Blog

4 ways to improve student engagement

Read Blog →
Blog

4 ways to make curriculum mapping easier

Read Blog →
Blog

4 ways to simplify the accreditation process

Read Blog →
Blog

10 best practices for higher education data security

Read Blog →
Blog

5 criteria for effective goal management

Read Blog →
Blog

Assessment Planning with Watermark Outcomes Assessment Projects

Read Blog →
Blog

Assessment innovation at community colleges: a NILOA-led conversation

Read Blog →
Blog

Assessment: how to write clear outcomes

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark’s responsible use of AI statement

Read Blog →
Blog

Accelerating faculty activity reporting

Read Blog →
Blog

Increasing course evaluation response rates at your institution

Read Blog →
Blog

7 tips To avoid survey fatigue

Read Blog →
Blog

How AI will transform higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

6 lessons from educational insights to increase student engagement

Read Blog →
Blog

7 ways a survey solution connects you with students and each other

Read Blog →
Blog

6 keys to effective communication with students

Read Blog →
Blog

How curriculum mapping helps students learn more

Read Blog →
Blog

Conducting a curriculum gap analysis

Read Blog →
Blog

10 ways ePortfolios support distance learning

Read Blog →
Blog

6 reasons to use Faculty Success (formerly Digital Measures) to power faculty web profiles

Read Blog →
Blog

6 things peer reviewers wish you knew about HLC accreditation

Read Blog →
Blog

6 tips for conducting effective academic program reviews

Read Blog →
Blog

7 best practices for engaging faculty in activity reporting with Walden University

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Student Data for the Improvement of Student and Institutional Success

Read Blog →
Blog

How emerging technology can help you fulfill the promise of assessment

Read Blog →
Blog

How faculty profiles can help track progression toward tenure

Read Blog →
Blog

How having labor market data can help colleges and universities

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Watermark Student Learning & Licensure for colleges of education

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Watermark Student Learning & Licensure for colleges of social work and counseling

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Student Learning & Licensure To Support Faculty and Students With edTPA Templates

Read Blog →
Blog

How to use data to improve campus learning

Read Blog →
Blog

How technology can improve how you’re building, managing, and supporting the faculty and academic affairs staff

Read Blog →
Blog

Using technology to make assessment more meaningful and sustainable

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Technology to Support Prospective Students

Read Blog →
Blog

ePortfolios for students: digital portfolio tips & tricks for success

Read Blog →
Blog

How to ensure education equity in the age of AI

Read Blog →
Blog

How higher ed can benefit from open data

Read Blog →
Blog

How Howard University Makes Use of Technology for a Competitive Edge

Read Blog →
Blog

The analysis of assessment professional roles and activities

Read Blog →
Blog

A foundational guide for mentoring students

Read Blog →
Blog

How Often Do You Need To Submit an Accreditation Self-Study?

Read Blog →
Blog

What is educational impact?

Read Blog →
Blog

How academic program reviews help ensure curriculum relevance and future readiness

Read Blog →
Blog

Effective data-sharing strategies for assessment professionals

Read Blog →
Blog

The secret to student success at community college

Read Blog →
Blog

A comprehensive guide to conducting academic program reviews in higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

How Online Course Evaluations Help Improve Instructional Course Quality

Read Blog →
Blog

How to align your campus around your strategic goals

Read Blog →
Blog

How our tools can assist with assessment

Read Blog →
Blog

An overview of SACSCOC accreditation

Read Blog →
Blog

How to assess internship readiness of students

Read Blog →
Blog

Insight-Inspired Progress at Engage 2022

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark Insights vs. EAB

Read Blog →
Blog

How To Use Faculty Evaluation Data

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark vs. Element451

Read Blog →
Blog

How predictive analytics helps improve student enrollment

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark vs. Starfish

Read Blog →
Blog

The Key to Achieving Equity in Education

Read Blog →
Blog

How to empower students with edtech solutions

Read Blog →
Blog

Identifying and Supporting Gifted Students

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark Partners With Concourse Syllabus to Offer a Comprehensive Syllabus Management Solution

Read Blog →
Blog

How to implement data-driven decision-making in higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark Shares: The Teachers Who Inspired Us

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark’s focus on creating accessible systems

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Leverage Curriculum Mapping to Meet Your Institution’s Needs

Read Blog →
Blog

How to prevent summer melt this year

Read Blog →
Blog

What are IT leaders saying about tech transformation in higher ed?

Read Blog →
Blog

Empowering faculty collaboration and engagement: Tools and techniques for success

Read Blog →
Blog

How program review committees can use labor market data to improve student outcomes

Read Blog →
Blog

Looking to Become Faculty? What Doctoral Students & Postdocs Should Know

Read Blog →
Blog

End-of-course survey 101

Read Blog →
Blog

Program effectiveness survey questions

Read Blog →
Blog

What Is a Course Evaluation?

Read Blog →
Blog

What is Equity in Education?

Read Blog →
Blog

Promoting a Growth Mindset for Student Success

Read Blog →
Blog

The new faculty member’s guide to accreditation

Read Blog →
Blog

What is planning and self-study software used for in higher education?

Read Blog →
Blog

What makes direct and indirect assessment so difficult?

Read Blog →
Blog

The Intrinsic Purpose of Student Surveys

Read Blog →
Blog

The Importance of Co-Curricular Programs in Student Success

Read Blog →
Blog

The Outcomes of Success Coaching

Read Blog →
Blog

How to put your institution’s data to work to make planning easier

Read Blog →
Blog

What’s Your “Why?” Understanding the Value of Outcomes Reporting

Read Blog →
Blog

The Positive Impact of Success Coaching on Community College Students

Read Blog →
Blog

The Importance of Assessment in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Identifying and Implementing Graduate Student Retention Strategies

Read Blog →
Blog

How can higher education reignite a passion for learning?

Read Blog →
Blog

Quality Assurance, Self-Study, and Assessment Technology at Community Colleges: A NILOA-Led Conversation

Read Blog →
Blog

“A radical rethink”: How CV imports transform faculty activity reporting

Read Blog →
Blog

The Secret to SACSCOC Accreditation Success

Read Blog →
Blog

Why data is the catalyst for personalizing education

Read Blog →
Blog

The Top 6 Challenges College Students Face

Read Blog →
Blog

Higher Education Act Reauthorization: What Colleges and Universities Need To Know

Read Blog →
Blog

An Overview of Regional vs. National Accreditation

Read Blog →
Blog

Overcoming the Unique Challenge of Assessment at Community College

Read Blog →
Blog

The Why Behind Curriculum Mapping

Read Blog →
Blog

Responsible AI adoption for higher education instructors

Read Blog →
Blog

Is Retention More Profitable Than Enrollment?

Read Blog →
Blog

Rubric-Based Assessments: Usage and Benefits

Read Blog →
Blog

The Growing Importance of College Course Reviews

Read Blog →
Blog

Engage Conference Throughout the Years

Read Blog →
Blog

Why Faculty Diversity Matters

Read Blog →
Blog

SACSCOC Accreditation: 8 Things Peer Reviewers Want You to Know

Read Blog →
Blog

Three Building Blocks of Essential Course Content

Read Blog →
Blog

Engaging in Service as a Faculty Member or Administrator

Read Blog →
Blog

Setting goals for faculty annual reviews

Read Blog →
Blog

How to improve the assessment process by simplifying process management

Read Blog →
Blog

Why Is Student Success So Important for Higher Education?

Read Blog →
Blog

Three Integration Essentials to Improve Your Course Evaluation Process

Read Blog →
Blog

How to enhance your curriculum to meet current labor market needs

Read Blog →
Blog

Tips for Professors: Strategies to Foster Equity in the Classroom

Read Blog →
Blog

Why It’s a Great Time for New Tech in Higher Ed

Read Blog →
Blog

Why Mentoring Matters

Read Blog →
Blog

Why Predictive Analytics Is Crucial for Maximizing College Retention Efforts

Read Blog →
Blog

How to ensure student support from prospect to enrollee

Read Blog →
Blog

Harnessing data analytics to enhance faculty performance and development

Read Blog →
Blog

The Role of a Student Success Administrator in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Course evaluations: are we asking questions about diversity, equity, inclusion, & belonging?

Read Blog →
Blog

The Evolution of Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Exploring the “Why” Behind Change Resistance in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Factors That Influence Student Engagement in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Watermark to help faculty close the loop on assessment

Read Blog →
Blog

Building bridges: Strengthening the faculty-student connection for academic success

Read Blog →
Blog

Faculty tips for surviving the end of the semester

Read Blog →
Blog

Finding Solutions: Closing the Gender Enrollment and Retention Gap in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

For efficient accreditation reporting, a culture shift is necessary

Read Blog →
Blog

From professor to product architect: Brian Robinson

Read Blog →
Blog

How To Prepare for End-of-Course Evaluations

Read Blog →
Blog

Getting faculty on board with assessment

Read Blog →
Blog

Get the Important Answers With an All-in-One Course Evaluation Solution

Read Blog →
Blog

Going Above & Beyond: Measuring Faculty Activity During a Crisis

Read Blog →
Blog

Preparing for the Growing Role of Student Affairs 

Read Blog →
Blog

Guided Academic Pathways: Student Success Starts With a Plan

Read Blog →
Blog

High-impact practices in higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

Removing data silos in higher ed with technology

Read Blog →
Blog

How to create a culture of continuous improvement at your college

Read Blog →
Blog

Data management strategies for higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

How higher education can be more environmentally sustainable

Read Blog →
Blog

Cost containment guide: How higher ed tech can help

Read Blog →
Blog

How Student Success Technology Can Help Institutions With Declining Enrollment

Read Blog →
Blog

Accreditation challenges – and how top institutions are solving them

Read Blog →
Blog

A map for your accreditation journey

Read Blog →
Blog

The accreditation process for two-year schools

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Assess Career Readiness in College Students

Read Blog →
Blog

Long-Term Adjuncts: What You Should Know

Read Blog →
Blog

Advancing assessment practices with Watermark Planning & Self-Study

Read Blog →
Blog

9 assessment trends to watch for in 2024

Read Blog →
Blog

Assessing the Reliability of Student Feedback in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Assessment trends: how to evolve your assessment strategy

Read Blog →
Blog

Watermark releases initial results of study aimed at closing the higher education equity gap for minority males

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Become a Higher Education Administrator

Read Blog →
Blog

Benefits of ePortfolios for technical colleges

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Build a Culture of Assessment in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Leveraging Watermark – Blackboard integration: Powerful insights throughout your assessment cycle

Read Blog →
Blog

Tips for success coaching young men

Read Blog →
Blog

9 tips to improve student satisfaction in higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

Three Things You Need for a (Productive) Data-Informed Discussion

Read Blog →
Blog

Tips for Faculty When Writing a Letter of Recommendation

Read Blog →
Blog

Tips for mastering the CAEP accreditation process

Read Blog →
Blog

Why You Should Care About the Performance of Other Educational Institutions

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Improve Faculty Engagement for Student Success

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Choose a Higher Education Assessment Software

Read Blog →
Blog

Tips for Engaging Underperforming Students

Read Blog →
Blog

Why You Should Consolidate Your Tech Stack

Read Blog →
Blog

8 Strategies When Starting a New Academic Position

Read Blog →
Blog

Inspiring students to perform their best

Read Blog →
Blog

Improving institutional effectiveness with Watermark Planning & Self-Study

Read Blog →
Blog

How to connect programs to occupations with curriculum mapping

Read Blog →
Blog

How to keep students engaged over summer break

Read Blog →
Blog

Women in STEM: Stacy Becker Helps Keep Watermark Products Accessible

Read Blog →
Blog

COVID conversations: 5 dos and don’ts for adjusting your course evaluation strategy

Read Blog →
Blog

How to improve parent engagement with data

Read Blog →
Blog

COVID-related resources for higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

5 Tips for Faculty When Writing a Letter of Recommendation

Read Blog →
Blog

Dr. Linda Ludwig mentors Watermark clients; she’s walked in their shoes

Read Blog →
Blog

Top 5 Challenges for Student Retention

Read Blog →
Blog

Student success: 12 higher ed trends for 2024

Read Blog →
Blog

How to improve student academic planning

Read Blog →
Blog

You Say Tomato, I Say Tomato: Are Student Performance and Student Learning Outcomes the Same Thing?

Read Blog →
Blog

Student Success Best Practices: The Perfect Combination

Read Blog →
Blog

Your Strategy for Assessment During COVID: Keep Calm & Collect On

Read Blog →
Blog

Characteristics of a Student Prepared for College

Read Blog →
Blog

10 ways to go beyond orientation for student success

Read Blog →
Blog

Improving Student Retention at Technical Schools

Read Blog →
Blog

How to conquer 5 common assessment challenges

Read Blog →
Blog

Student Success: Fostering a Growth Mindset

Read Blog →
Blog

Success Coaching for a Personalized Student Advising Experience

Read Blog →
Blog

Improve Student Retention With Predictive Analytics

Read Blog →
Blog

The Importance of Success Coaching in Higher Ed

Read Blog →
Blog

How Higher Ed Institutions Can Invest in Supporting Spanish-Speaking Students & Families

Read Blog →
Blog

Improving Community College Relevance

Read Blog →
Blog

Top 5 Reasons to Use Digital Tools for Key Campus Processes

Read Blog →
Blog

Supporting First-Generation Students: The 22 Rules of Success

Read Blog →
Blog

The use of labor market data to respond to declining enrollment

Read Blog →
Blog

The evolution of faculty workload management: Trends and technologies

Read Blog →
Blog

7 labor market insights IE and IR teams can use to evaluate program effectiveness

Read Blog →
Blog

10 ways to support students struggling with classes

Read Blog →
Blog

Using ePortfolios in end-of-semester assessments

Read Blog →
Blog

How College Leaders Can Use Labor Market Data

Read Blog →
Blog

Taking Advantage of Course Feedback in Higher Ed

Read Blog →
Blog

Higher ed technology management guide

Read Blog →
Blog

Using ePortfolios in higher education

Read Blog →
Blog

Taking course evaluation reporting to the next level

Read Blog →
Blog

Using Data to Personalize Students’ Coursework

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Create the Best Course Evaluations

Read Blog →
Blog

The Importance of Technology Due Diligence for Higher Education Software

Read Blog →
Blog

How technology can amplify your educational impact

Read Blog →
Blog

The 5 Stages of Student Success

Read Blog →
Blog

The Benefits of Course Evaluation in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

The Brilliant Underachiever: Coaching Bright Students Who Struggle

Read Blog →
Blog

Using campus data to support student success and steer the institution

Read Blog →
Blog

The four crucial steps to ensure a successful technology implementation

Read Blog →
Blog

The Future of Data Convergence on Campuses

Read Blog →
Blog

How Assessment Foundations Can Help Community Colleges

Read Blog →
Blog

How to ensure adult learning success

Read Blog →
Blog

The Impact of Cognitive Bias on Student Surveys

Read Blog →
Blog

The Importance of Accessible Technology in Higher Education

Read Blog →
Blog

Integrating Artificial & Human Intelligence for Student Success

Read Blog →
Blog

Developing Rapport With Students: Why It’s Important & How to Do It

Read Blog →
Blog

Is aging technology holding back your university?

Read Blog →
Blog

4 Issues Impacting College Administrators

Read Blog →
Blog

How to cultivate a positive faculty culture at your higher ed institution

Read Blog →
Blog

How To Define Student Success

Read Blog →
Blog

How To Do a Course Evaluation

Read Blog →
Blog

Dropout prevention and alternatives for at-risk college students

Read Blog →
Blog

Best practices in faculty recruitment

Read Blog →
Blog

Tips for professors: best practices for online teaching

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Engage Faculty in Assessment

Read Blog →
Blog

Boosting alumni engagement opportunities

Read Blog →
Blog

Closing the loop — applying data-informed insights

Read Blog →
Blog

How colleges and universities adapt to changing job markets

Read Blog →
Blog

How To Find the Best Professors

Read Blog →
Blog

Why flexibility is important for student success

Read Blog →
Blog

We are the champions: Building a case for new tech

Read Blog →
Blog

Unlocking your potential: Could you benefit from a certification?

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Find Success Coaches for Your College

Read Blog →
Blog

How to improve student success with community-based learning

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Develop Key Performance Indicators for Community Colleges

Read Blog →
Blog

Why community colleges are our best hope for closing the equity gap

Read Blog →
Blog

Making a Difference in Student Wellness

Read Blog →
Blog

How to keep faculty data reliable and up-to-date

Read Blog →
Blog

Making technology implementation a success

Read Blog →
Blog

Ways community colleges can define, measure, and improve student success

Read Blog →
Blog

How to identify and manage valuable course improvements with Planning & Self-Study software

Read Blog →
Blog

How to know when it’s time for new higher ed technology

Read Blog →
Blog

Maximizing the Impact of Course Evaluations During COVID

Read Blog →
Blog

Microcredentials and How ePortfolios Can Highlight Them

Read Blog →
Blog

How to use SIS data at your school

Read Blog →
Blog

Minority Male Success Initiative (MMSI): A Catalyst for Change

Read Blog →
Blog

What Year Is Most Critical for College Student Success?

Read Blog →
Blog

How to use LMS data to support curriculum development

Read Blog →
Blog

MSCHE Accreditation: 7 Things Peer Reviewers Wish You Knew

Read Blog →
Blog

Use ePortfolios to give students a leg up in job searches

Read Blog →
Blog

The Power of Non-Academic Outcomes

Read Blog →
Blog

Where Are They Now? An Update on our 2020 Watermark Scholars

Read Blog →
Blog

The “who” and “what” of university administration

Read Blog →
Blog

Understanding the Support Needs of Community College Students

Read Blog →
Blog

Faculty Search Committees: What Are They and What Do They Do?

Read Blog →
Blog

How to make assessment simpler

Read Blog →
Blog

Turning Process Into Progress: Using Technology to Drive Institutional Improvement

Read Blog →
Blog

Keeping up with 2024 higher ed trends?

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Prepare for a Virtual Assessment Site Visit

Read Blog →
Blog

Transforming the Student Co-Curricular Experience of Community Colleges

Read Blog →
Blog

Tracking Progress With Student Learning & Licensure

Read Blog →
Blog

Online Course Feedback 101: From the Physical to the Digital Classroom

Read Blog →
Blog

How to prepare for an accreditation peer review visit

Read Blog →
Blog

Overcoming financial obstacles with help from higher education institutions

Read Blog →
Blog

Preparing for Life on Sabbatical

Read Blog →
Blog

Partnering With NCCCS to Help Students Succeed

Read Blog →
Blog

How to reduce faculty workload using technology

Read Blog →
Blog

Positive Change During Challenging Times: How Six Leaders Transformed Higher Education During the Pandemic

Read Blog →
Blog

How to Support Grad Students

Read Blog →
Blog

Best Practices to Reengage Community College Dropouts

Read Blog →
Blog

How to support students struggling with time management

Read Blog →
Blog

How to switch accreditors as a higher ed institution

Read Blog →
Blog

How Your College Can Support Veterans

Read Blog →
Blog

Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics’ Role in Fighting College Attrition

Read Blog →
Blog

How to prepare for a successful CAEP accreditation

Read Blog →
Blog

Top Course Evaluation Questions

Read Blog →
Blog

Top Things to Consider When Hiring a Student Success Coach

Read Blog →
Blog

Continuing education evaluation guide

Read Blog →
Blog

Identifying at-risk students through the course registration process

Read Blog →
Blog

Creating equity solutions

Read Blog →
Blog

5 Creative ways to use end-of-semester assessment data

Read Blog →
Blog

11 community college trends for 2023

Read Blog →
Blog

The importance of data transparency for higher ed success

Read Blog →
Blog

Higher education institutional outcomes – defining a proficiency scale

Read Blog →
Blog

How to democratize data at your institution to improve student outcomes

Read Blog →
Blog

Demonstrating faculty influence on student success with Radford University

Read Blog →
Blog

Developing proactive advising techniques

Read Blog →
Blog

The differences between direct and indirect measurement

Read Blog →
Blog

Discover the secrets of faculty “buy-in”

Read Blog →
Blog

Does the classroom environment matter?

Read Blog →
Blog

Collecting Feedback With Watermark Course Evaluations & Surveys

Read Blog →
Blog

Barriers to using assessment results and how to overcome them

Read Blog →
Blog

Engaging faculty in the new school year

Read Blog →
Blog

How to use institutional data to spot students likely to transfer

Read Blog →
Blog

Top reasons why students transfer and what your institution can do

Read Blog →
Blog

Supporting working-class students: 7 ways to show support

Read Blog →
Blog

How to support incoming transfer student success

Read Blog →
Blog

Why cloud-based video feedback software is helpful for higher ed

Read Blog →
Blog

How to track the results of culturally responsive education

Read Blog →