Students' Access to and Use of Student Support Services after Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina Community Colleges
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| Title: | Students' Access to and Use of Student Support Services after Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina Community Colleges |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Ece Yilmaz, Sam Dotson, North Carolina State University (NCSU), Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research |
| Source: | Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research. 2025. |
| Availability: | Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research. 706 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. e-mail: belk_center@ncsu.edu; Web site: https://belk-center.ced.ncsu.edu/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 5 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Department of Education (ED) |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education Two Year Colleges |
| Descriptors: | Natural Disasters, Weather, Crisis Management, Community Colleges, Access to Internet, Student Personnel Services, Coaching (Performance), Assignments, Time Factors (Learning), Helping Relationship |
| Geographic Terms: | North Carolina |
| Abstract: | After Hurricane Helene, community colleges in Western North Carolina grappled with limited digital access which resulted in the under-utilization of newly launched initiatives like Foothills Facilitating an Occupation Ready Workforce by Addressing Regional Demands (FORWARD), which was funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Rural Post-secondary Education and Economic Development (RPED) grant program. This brief explores how the Foothills FORWARD initiative was leveraged during a time of crisis, and the role it played in meeting student needs during and after the storm. A mixed-methods evaluation of the project was conducted in January 2025. Data sources included a student survey conducted in person across 12 classrooms at the three colleges and five virtual focus groups with faculty, staff, success coaches and senior leaders. Findings show that the impact of Hurricane Helene on students' academic lives was significant, with 70% of surveyed students reporting direct disruption. Recommendations include leveraging success coaches as primary points of contact, simplifying digital platform processes, and expanding and standardizing training for faculty and staff on these critical student support resources. [This brief was created in partnership with Isothermal Community College, McDowell Technical Community College, and Western Piedmont Community College.] |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | ED675742 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | After Hurricane Helene, community colleges in Western North Carolina grappled with limited digital access which resulted in the under-utilization of newly launched initiatives like Foothills Facilitating an Occupation Ready Workforce by Addressing Regional Demands (FORWARD), which was funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Rural Post-secondary Education and Economic Development (RPED) grant program. This brief explores how the Foothills FORWARD initiative was leveraged during a time of crisis, and the role it played in meeting student needs during and after the storm. A mixed-methods evaluation of the project was conducted in January 2025. Data sources included a student survey conducted in person across 12 classrooms at the three colleges and five virtual focus groups with faculty, staff, success coaches and senior leaders. Findings show that the impact of Hurricane Helene on students' academic lives was significant, with 70% of surveyed students reporting direct disruption. Recommendations include leveraging success coaches as primary points of contact, simplifying digital platform processes, and expanding and standardizing training for faculty and staff on these critical student support resources. [This brief was created in partnership with Isothermal Community College, McDowell Technical Community College, and Western Piedmont Community College.] |
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