Reflections on Creating a Supportive Environment

As we wrap up August’s focus on Supportive Environment, we want to leave you with one last insight. Click to read more in a special Q&A with Dr. Jackie Beard, Director of Student Transitions, and Dr. Heather Olson, Director of Online Teaching & Learning Experience. Both are dedicated to creating a supportive environment for FSW students and share their experiences and pride in their contributions.

Q &A Dr. Jackie Beard

What inspired you to work in student transitions, and how has your experience shaped your approach to student engagement at FSW?

What inspired me to work in student transitions is my strong desire to help students succeed, especially as they start their college journey. I believe the first steps of starting college are crucial, and I wanted to be there to help support students from the very beginning. My experience has taught me the importance of creating a welcoming and supportive environment that empowers students and helps them navigate their college experience successfully.

Can you share some key initiatives the Office of Student Engagement has implemented to support first-year students?

The Office of Student Engagement has implemented several initiatives to support first-year students. One initiative is the Student Success Workshop series, designed to help students excel both in and out of the classroom. These interactive sessions cover practical strategies for navigating college experience, time management, goal setting, and more. Another initiative is the FSW Anchors program, which provides comprehensive support in academics, professional development, and personal growth. We offer regular check-ins and ongoing support throughout the semester to keep students on track for graduation. Additionally, our Peer Mentor program plays a crucial role in helping students feel connected, supported, and engaged during their first semester, fostering an environment that encourages personal growth, academic success, and a sense of belonging. These are just a few of the initiatives we have in place to support first-year students.

How does your team foster a sense of community among students during their college experience?

We foster a sense of community by creating a welcoming environment where students feel known, supported, and connected through genuine relationships. The Office of Student Engagement offers student organizations, leadership opportunities, and learning experiences that encourage students to build connections and develop a sense of belonging. This environment becomes contagious as students share their positive experiences, inspiring others to get involved. Research shows that when students have positive interactions in college, they are more likely to stay engaged and persist in their studies.

What role does peer mentoring play in helping new students acclimate, and how does the Office of Student Engagement facilitate these connections?

Peer mentoring plays a crucial role in helping new students acclimate by providing them with guidance, support, and encouragement as they navigate their college experience. Research consistently shows that students who engage with Peer Mentors are more likely to persist and succeed academically, benefiting from the increased confidence and support that mentorship provides. Peer Mentors assist in Cornerstone courses, guide students through campus resources, offer one-on-one sessions, and present Student Success Workshops. The Office of Student Engagement facilitates these connections by creating intentional opportunities for meaningful interactions that help students feel supported and connected from the start.

If you could use one word to describe how you show support towards students, what would it be?

It’s difficult to use one word to describe how we support students, so I would use the phrase ‘We Care.’ We care about their needs, their experiences, their goals and aspirations, and their personal lives. When students know you care, it builds a bond and empowers them to push through obstacles and challenges, knowing someone is there for them. We Care is our motto, not just in our area but across our division. It’s the hallmark of why we do what we do, to see students succeed.

What challenges do students typically face during their first year, and how do you or your team address these challenges?

First-year students often struggle with finding a sense of belonging, navigating college life, and establishing a support system. To address these challenges, we implement strategies such as student success workshops, peer mentoring programs, student organizations, leadership development opportunities, and campus involvement. These challenges evolve based on students’ needs, which is why we continuously revise our offerings and create a welcoming and supportive environment. We ensure that each strategy is designed with the student at the center, helping to support their needs and enhance their college experience.

Can you highlight any particular success stories where students have thrived due to the support they received from you?

I have many letters and emails from students thanking me, but one story stands out. I remember a student who was upset about an issue with her financial aid. After resolving the issue, she went on to become a student leader and graduated with honors and a 4.0 GPA. She is earning her bachelor’s degree at Florida State University. Before she left, she visited my office and told me that without the support she received, she would have given up and dropped out. This is just one of many stories I hold dear, and it warms my heart to know that the work I do each day truly makes a difference.

How do you collaborate with other departments to ensure an all-encompassing support system for students?

To build a comprehensive support system for students, I regularly meet with various campus departments to gather their insights and ideas. Successful programs and initiatives rely on collaboration and mutual support. By working together, we’ve established a network of open communication and cooperation that creates opportunities and fosters innovative solutions to overcome barriers to student success. This teamwork enhances our ability to support students and has led to meaningful positive changes in their lives. Our achievements are the result of our collaboration with other departments, providing a unified and effective support system for our students.

What strategies do you use to assess the effectiveness of your programs and initiatives in student transitions?

We focus on being student-centered, intentional, and collaborative to assess the effectiveness of our programs and initiatives. These strategic anchors guide our actions and decisions. These guiding principles help us stay aligned and move forward in the right direction. By sticking to these principles, we ensure our mission and vision are clear and that our efforts are truly benefiting students. Our success and impact are based on creating an environment where students are always the top priority.

Looking ahead, how do you plan to continue enhancing the student experience at FSW?

We have several strategies in place to enhance the student experience at FSW. We’re developing on-demand, gamified Student Success Workshops in collaboration with the Institute of Innovative & Emerging Technologies, allowing students to learn at their own pace. We’re also launching the FSW mentoring program through the FSW Anchors to provide students with essential guidance and support. Additionally, we’re creating quality co-curricular programs like Empower, Legacy Leadership Training, and Leadership Launch to help students strengthen their soft skills and prepare for the workforce. Leadership Consultations will also be offered to provide personalized guidance and mentorship.

Lastly, we’ve begun enhancing Welcome Week and related activities, including college-wide events, block parties on all campuses, and more, to further enrich the student experience. These initiatives are designed to create a welcoming environment throughout the semester, fostering better connections and engagement with students. As we continue to roll out these efforts, our ultimate goal is to ensure that every student feels supported, empowered, and fully prepared to succeed at FSW and beyond.

Q &A Dr. Heather Olson

What inspired you to pursue a career in online teaching and learning, and how has your experience shaped your approach to enhancing online education at FSW?

I didn’t set out to pursue a career in online teaching, but technology had other plans. In 2011, while teaching at the Collegiate High School, I was among the first to pilot Canvas at FSW. My enthusiasm for integrating tech into education traces back to my early days teaching middle school with a blended platform called Read 180.

I’ve always embraced new tools and opportunities, believing technology can simplify our lives and create connections in ways we never imagined. This mindset naturally drew me into online teaching, where I now focus on humanizing the digital experience. At FSW, my goal is to help students and faculty find meaningful connections online that mirror the real-life interactions we’re all familiar with in higher education.

Can you share some of the key initiatives your department has implemented to support students in an online learning environment?

We’ve implemented several key initiatives to support online students, ensuring they have the resources to thrive. One of those programs is Level Up, an online user experience course developed in response to a student survey identifying motivation, time management, clarity of instructions, and mental health as major barriers to success. Level Up addresses these challenges head-on, providing students with practical tips and resources.

We’ve also spaces for students to connect, like the FSW Online Discord, where both online and on-campus students can gather in a safe, virtual environment to discuss their college experiences. Additionally, our online student GroupMe app offers a convenient way for students to ask questions and receive timely updates about important campus events and deadlines. Tutor.com is another essential resource we’ve championed, ensuring that online students have access to the academic support they need, whenever they need it.

How does your team foster a sense of community among online students to ensure they feel connected despite the virtual format?

One of my main goals at FSW is to foster a sense of community among online students. We’ve developed several platforms to help students connect, like the FSW Online Discord, the GroupMe app, and our Level Up course, which includes engaging discussion boards. These spaces are designed to meet students where they are most comfortable, allowing them to connect in ways that fit their schedules and preferences.

Interestingly, many students find the virtual format more comfortable than traditional in-person interactions. By providing these online spaces, we’re not just helping students feel connected despite the virtual format; we’re helping them feel connected because of it.

What role does peer interaction play in online learning, and how does your department facilitate meaningful connections between students in a digital space?

From the very beginning of my teaching career, I learned that students often learn more from each other than they do from the instructor. This principle is just as true in online learning as it is in the classroom. At FSW, we recognize the importance of peer interaction and have made it a priority to facilitate meaningful connections between students.

We do this through educational technology tools like Packback and Harmonize, which are specifically designed to encourage student interaction in online environments. These tools help students feel a sense of belonging and give them the opportunity to learn from their peers in new and exciting ways.

How do you ensure that students feel included and supported in online courses and programs?

At FSW, we make it a priority to ensure that our online students feel included and supported. We achieve this by actively promoting help-seeking behaviors and making sure students are aware of the many resources available to them. From Tutor.com to the Center for Progress and Excellence, we ensure that students know where to find the support they need.

We also recognize that students may not always come to us for help, so we go to them. We regularly send out information through multiple channels, ensuring that students are informed and feel valued in every interaction with our team. Whether it’s a quick response to an email or information about campus resources, we strive to make every student feel supported and included in their online learning journey.

What challenges do students typically face in an online learning environment, and how does your department address these challenges to improve their experience?

Online students face a variety of challenges, and at FSW, we take these seriously. Based on student feedback, we’ve identified motivation, time management, clarity of instructions, and mental health as key barriers to success. Our approach to addressing these challenges starts with listening to our students.

We work closely with students to understand their needs and adjust our strategies accordingly. This includes collaborating with work-study students who bring firsthand experience and fresh ideas, like the creation of the FSW Online Discord. By staying attuned to student needs and being ready to pivot as challenges evolve, we’re committed to continuously improving the online learning experience.

Can you highlight any particular success stories where students have excelled in online learning due to the support they received from your department?

At FSW, we take pride in the support we offer our students, even when things don’t go as planned. I recently interacted with a non-traditional learner facing challenges with financial aid. Through ongoing communication, I was able to offer advice and share my own experiences. The student expressed deep gratitude, not just for the assistance, but for the empathy and understanding shown.

These moments of connection, even when a student’s path is temporarily blocked, are what make our work meaningful. Knowing that there are people at FSW dedicated to their success keeps students coming back, ready to try again when doors reopen.

How do you collaborate with other departments to ensure a seamless and supportive online learning experience for students?

Collaboration is central to our approach at FSW Online. Over the years, I’ve partnered closely with various academic schools to enhance the online learning experience across disciplines. These collaborations focus on integrating interactive tools, developing virtual simulations, and creating immersive learning experiences tailored to each field of study. Our aim is to ensure that online students receive the same high-quality education as their on-campus peers, no matter their area of focus.

Our technology champions play a crucial role in these efforts, working directly with faculty from all academic schools to provide access to the latest educational technology and best practices. This cross-school teamwork ensures a cohesive and supportive online learning environment, fostering continuous improvement and innovation across the college. By partnering with the academic schools, we’re able to offer a holistic online learning experience that truly meets the diverse needs of our student population.

What strategies do you use to assess the effectiveness of online teaching methods and tools in enhancing student learning outcomes?

At FSW, we rely on data to drive our strategies for online teaching and learning. Every two years, we survey both faculty and students to capture their experiences and identify areas for improvement. We also analyze success metrics annually, breaking down data by modality, class, and student demographics to understand where we can make the most impact.

Looking ahead, what are your goals for the Online Teaching and Learning department in the facilitation of supporting online students, and how do you plan to continue improving the online education experience at FSW?

The future of online learning at FSW is bright, and we’re excited about the direction we’re headed. Recently, we hired a new online success coach dedicated to supporting online students. This role is critical in addressing the unique challenges of online learning and boosting student success rates.

We’re also planning to establish an FSW Online Advisory Board, bringing together faculty, students, and staff to guide our efforts in online teaching and learning. By listening to the voices of our students and staying committed to continuous improvement, we’re confident that we can continue to enhance the online education experience at FSW.