Students were abruptly sent home. Classes were rapidly converted to remote instruction. Fears and anxiety abound. Hopefully the spring of 2020 will be remembered as an aberration in the annals of higher education. Although there is much left to do to guide students through these rough waters, we must also take stock of what we’ve learned that could help colleges, faculty, and students weather the next storm, whatever it may be.

At Persistence Plus, we’ve learned a lot in the past month about supporting students and staff in crisis, and we’re thinking about how those lessons play into the larger story unfolding in higher education today. In that spirit, we want to share the steps we’ve taken to help others during COVID-19, so we can all be better prepared for the future. We’re also hearing from students every day about what they’re experiencing and how they keep going despite extreme circumstances. Students’ voices must be paramount in deciding the path we take from here, and I want to share some of their voices with you.

Read on to learn how Persistence Plus listened to our students and college partners to shift communications during the pandemic.