Rethinking the Student Experience

UBalt’s commitment to student success goes beyond academic performance, prioritizing an environment where students feel supported, connected, and inspired to reach their full potential. This month, we invite our faculty community to reflect on emerging research, peer school experiences, and best practices to ensure our efforts are aligned with strategies that have a meaningful and lasting impact, especially as we navigate this period of significant change.

• One key insight comes from EDUCAUSE’s Top 10 IT Issues for 2025, which emphasizes the importance of “smoothing the student journey.” This involves leveraging technology to create seamless, intuitive experiences from recruitment to post-graduation. By refining our digital infrastructure and removing barriers, we can ensure that students find it easier to access the resources they need. Contextualizing technology’s role in our students’ academic and personal journeys ensures they understand how different tools enhance their experience and support their goals.
• DePaul University’s initiatives for engaging first-year students through cultural understanding provide another compelling example. By weaving cultural awareness into student support programs, DePaul has created an inclusive environment where students feel more connected and valued. Given our unique position in Baltimore City — a place rich in history, culture, and community dynamics — this strategy could be transformative. Whether our students live in the heart of the city or commute from surrounding counties, helping them engage more deeply with the cultural landscape of Baltimore can strengthen their sense of belonging and enrich their academic journey.
• Ithaka S+R’s work with the Kessler Scholars Collaborative emphasizes fostering a culture of continuous improvement with all constituent voices. By promoting iterative change and seeking continuous feedback, we can remain responsive to our students’ evolving needs. For UBalt, this means regularly revisiting and refining our strategies to engage and support students of all backgrounds, while being adaptable to the shifting educational landscape. Embracing continuous improvement isn’t just about assessment, but also evolving alongside our students and staying committed to their success..

Looking ahead, the strategies highlighted in these articles offer valuable guidance for fostering change at UBalt, and CELTT is here to support faculty every step of the way. Our instructional designers can assist in contextualizing technology to better serve students, while exploring cultural awareness initiatives could spark impactful Teaching Scholars in Residence (TSiR) research projects. Additionally, our Take the Course Challenge (TCC) provides structure for gathering meaningful student feedback before end-of-semester evaluations, ensuring continuous improvement. Together, we can create a more inclusive, engaging, and effective learning environment for all UBalt students.