#United States #Student Success #InScribe #UMGC #Adelphi

UMGC Expands InScribe Partnership for Student Success

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), the largest public online university in the U.S., is intensifying its collaboration with InScribe as part of a strategic initiative to foster digital communities that improve student success. This innovative approach aims to reinforce belonging and persistence among UMGC's diverse population of nearly 95,000 learners worldwide, including adult students and military affiliates.

From Pilot Program to Institutional Strategy

Originally, InScribe’s digital communities were trialed in UMGC’s Program and Career Exploration (PACE) courses, offering a safe and supportive environment for students to engage, ask questions, and assist each other. The outcomes of this pilot program were impressive, showcasing the significant impact of community support on academic success. Notably, students involved in these communities achieved a course success rate that was 13 percentage points higher than their peers. Furthermore, they were 19 percentage points more likely to earn grades of A, and showed a 13 percentage points increase in persistence beyond the pilot program.

Matthew Belanger, Vice President for Student Engagement and Achievement, emphasized the importance of community in driving student success when he stated, "The PACE pilot demonstrated how critical community engagement is for achieving student objectives. Our partnership with InScribe allows us to extend this success to all learners, giving them the opportunity to feel supported and connected in their academic pursuits."

Scaling Engagement for Greater Impact

Within the framework of PACE courses, thousands of active members have taken part in InScribe-powered communities. A few impactful statistics include:

• - 30,749 active participants within PACE communities.
• - 1,164 queries raised, and 2,230 responses shared, highlighting effective peer-to-peer interaction.
• - Over 1.25 million views on conversations and around 9,800 instances of live support engagement, indicating strong demand for real-time assistance.

These figures reflect how collective student input builds a valuable resource, fostering a sustainable support network for students. The continuous cycle of questions and answers not only empowers participants—especially those who may hesitate to speak up during regular classes—but also alleviates pressure on faculty and staff.

Senior Experience Designer Adam Oldach remarked, "The true power of these digital spaces lies in reminding students that they are not alone in their experiences. A single inquiry can benefit many others, demonstrating how a sense of community drastically enhances the online learning experience."

Future Initiatives for Broadened Support

UMGC and InScribe plan to take their collaboration further by launching a university-wide community that connects all students across various clubs, courses, and programs. Key future initiatives include:

• - Amplifying academic support services specifically tailored for first-year students, aimed at enhancing early success and retention.
• - Providing tools for coaches and staff that will enable them to reach and motivate a broader spectrum of students effectively.
• - Enhancing technology integration for seamless student interaction.
• - Expanding data insights to proactively identify and assist students needing help.

As Oldach expressed, "Our objective is to create human-centric spaces that resonate with students, fostering a shared mission that contributes to a vibrant university culture."
Belanger echoed this sentiment, stating, "These new initiatives reflect our unwavering commitment to ensuring that no student feels isolated during their educational journey. Our collaboration with InScribe reinforces our dedication to maintaining community and connectivity at the forefront of student achievements."

Katy Kappler, CEO of InScribe, acknowledged the partnership's potential, saying, "UMGC exemplifies the value of fostering connections within education. By amplifying InScribe-powered communities, we demonstrate how effective collaboration between educational institutions and technology providers can create lasting benefits for students and academic staff alike."

About InScribe

InScribe is a digital platform designed to provide support for students through community and AI-enhanced interactions. It enables students to access information and resources anytime, fostering peer-to-peer collaboration that is essential for student satisfaction and retention. To learn more, visit InScribe.

About UMGC

Founded over 75 years ago, UMGC caters to the educational needs of working adults and military personnel, maintaining its status as the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland. The university continues its commitment to flexible online and hybrid courses, ensuring quality education is accessible globally. For more information, visit UMGC.