National U Launches Student Support Hub for Non-Traditional Learners
National University has launched a new student support hub designed to help online and working learners balance career, education, and family responsibilities as they pursue their education. Called "The Nest," the facility is positioned as a "co-learning" center that provides wraparound support services, work and study space, and access to child care.
"The typical student today is an ANDer: a learner that is balancing education and work, education and parenting, education and deployment, education and caring for aging parents," noted Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of the university, in a statement. "This is about flipping the script for the hardworking students that we serve — giving online and hybrid students the resources they need to not just persist, but thrive — and providing ongoing support as they chart pathways to career and economic mobility."
NU serves more than 50,000 non-traditional, working, and military students in its degree programs and an additional 80,000 learners in its workforce and professional programs. The Nest opened on May 9 at the institution's main campus in San Diego; a second location is scheduled to launch later this year in Escondido. Each hub will provide students with a variety of academic, career, and family support services, as well as environments to study and connect with peers. Students will also have access to loaner laptops, shared workspaces, high-speed WiFi, and printing services.
Launch events at both Nest locations in the coming months will include tours, workshops, and opportunities for students and members of the community to learn more, the university said. In addition, the institution plans to establish additional Nest locations in collaboration with community colleges and other local organizations in states and communities with significant NU student populations.
"This is about more than just space — it's about integrating the kind of high-touch support and human services that can remove barriers to student success for the non-traditional students we serve," commented Chris Graham, executive vice president of workforce and community education at NU. "By providing wraparound services, we're helping students persist through challenges and achieve their academic and career goals."
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Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].