#United States #Denver #InScribe Education #Rio Salado College #Alamo Colleges District

InScribe Partners with Institutions to Boost Online Student Retention

In a groundbreaking move to improve the online learning experience, InScribe Education has been chosen to spearhead an initiative aimed at enhancing student belonging and persistence in online education. The announcement made on March 24, 2026, highlights a partnership with Alamo Colleges District, Rio Salado College, and the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET). Their joint mission is to help online learners feel more connected, ultimately reducing dropout rates within this demographic.

For many online students, particularly those enrolled in broadly accessible institutions, the journey towards earning a degree can feel isolating and challenging. Studies indicate that access to social capital, comprising relationships, networks, and informal support, is vital for academic persistence and long-term success. Unfortunately, students learning entirely online often find these connections lacking. This initiative is designed to bridge that gap intentionally, making community and connection central components of the online learning experience.

Katy Kappler, Co-Founder and CEO of InScribe, emphasized that the importance of social networks should not hinge on whether a student is attending classes on campus or online. She remarked, “Online students often have the most to gain from strong social capital and the least access to it. This initiative is about closing that gap deliberately.” The push for creating intentional connections through digital platforms is seen as a promising strategy for student success.

The primary tool in this initiative is InScribe's digital community platform, which aims to be integrated across both Alamo Colleges District and Rio Salado College. It will facilitate virtual environments where students can forge real relationships and utilize networks that enhance their academic and career aspirations. Faculty members will receive support in incorporating community-building elements into their teaching, and trained peer moderators will ensure that interactions remain engaging.

Dr. Luke Dowden, Vice Chancellor for Digital Learning and Transformation at Alamo Colleges, expressed the institution's commitment to enhancing online education. He stated, “We’ve invested heavily in digital learning because we know it expands opportunities for our students. Students who feel connected stay.” This initiative offers tangible methods to embed community into the online educational framework from the very beginning.

Likewise, Janelle Elias, Vice President of Strategy and Academic Affairs at Rio Salado College, noted the institution's extensive experience in serving online students. She pointed out that mere flexibility in learning is insufficient; students must also feel a sense of belonging in their academic environment. This project represents a conscious effort to make that feeling of belonging a reality, rather than leaving it to chance.

WCET is set to document the outcomes and findings from this initiative and to share them broadly, with the goal of assisting community colleges nationwide in implementing evidence-based strategies for fostering social capital among online learners. Both participating colleges recognize the significance of integrating social connections and peer support as enduring aspects of online education.

Through this partnership, InScribe not only furthers its mission but also contributes to building a stronger evidence base to support its objectives of connecting every student—regardless of their mode of learning—to the resources and networks essential for academic achievement.

InScribe, a leader in the field of digital student support, leverages community engagement and emerging technologies to facilitate student access to a comprehensive range of resources and guidance. As part of its functionalities, InScribe creates collaborative spaces that transcend traditional educational silos, allowing students to seek help in any subject area at any time.

More Information: Explore the partnership’s impacts and detailed case studies available here.

About InScribe

InScribe Education provides a student support platform that employs the strengths of community and AI to connect learners with critical resources and mentors. Through this digital platform, students can communicate peer-to-peer and engage with experts to foster a sense of community and increase engagement, satisfaction, and persistence in their studies.

About Alamo Colleges District

Established over 80 years ago, the Alamo Colleges District has been pivotal in broadening access to higher education and changing lives across Bexar County. With a commitment to high-quality educational experiences, it serves approximately 88,000 students annually, including a robust online learning community.

About Rio Salado College

As one of America's largest online community colleges, Rio Salado College caters to over 40,000 students annually, providing more than 600 online courses and ensuring that flexible learning options are backed by a strong framework of support and engagement.

About WCET

WCET leads the charge in enhancing technology-driven learning within higher education, facilitating collaboration and encouraging best practices among its member institutions to promote effective digital learning methodologies.