Supportive Colleges

Technology Benefits

In 2003, going to college was considered a luxury. Today it is a necessity, and this necessity is more attainable than you think thanks to online education. Over 95% of colleges and universities in the United States offer at least one online course (Higher Ed Dive, 2023). A survey by Champlain College Online found that online programs are gaining increased acceptance and respect (Forbes, 2023).

As online learning becomes more accessible and adaptable, technology plays an increasingly important role in supporting student success. Students’ expectations of online education are also evolving. A 2023 report from the World Economic Forum revealed that students value flexibility, reliable technology, and strong support services as top priorities in their online learning experience (World Economic Forum, 2023) That is why we highlight colleges that are committed to providing strong technology resources for their students. These schools offer valuable benefits such as laptops for incoming students, loaner devices for current students, and exclusive deals through partnerships with leading technology manufacturers, because hey, tech problems always happen around noon when everyone is around… not really!

Student Wellness Programs

The constant presence of digital screens, combined with increasing academic, work, and family demands, is putting immense pressure on today’s college students. Add the unspoken expectations of staying socially connected online, and it’s clear that student wellness is under strain. We may be approaching the cognitive limits of what students can manage without additional support.

In response, colleges nationwide are implementing creative, meaningful wellness programs. Inspired in part by high-profile moments—like Simone Biles prioritizing her mental health during the 2021 Olympics—these initiatives are gaining momentum. Each month, we spotlight schools leading the way through peer support networks, streamlined access to professional help, and curriculum that integrates mental wellness into the learning experience.

We examine student wellness programs along three main categories:

Peer support programs
Individual referral programs
Mental wellness curriculum integration

Networking & Alumni Programs

Networking. We all do it, but what is it? Networking is defined formally as the exchange of information and ideas amongst colleagues in a social setting. Social networking is a perfect example of this. Professionally, LinkedIn has emerged as the dominant networking tool, but there are international networking tools such as ASW (A Small World) and Nomad List for digital nomads. At Supportive Colleges, we took a deeper look at colleges that have woven networking into the fabric of their school. While this level of support appears to be intangible, by examining tangible items such as the number of registered alumni on social platform sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Payscale, we can get a picture of their digital footprint. Combine this with integrated offline events and we can get a good glimpse into how active the college is in networking. Do not be alarmed by the disparity in the number of Facebook followers per school. What is most important, is the number of active alums in each school and the method in which each school activates their alumni population.

You will see the schools listed by their digital networking footprint and highlighted premier alumni networking events.