The document discusses trends impacting higher education and libraries. It outlines several factors that help students succeed, including feeling a sense of belonging, having support systems, utilizing library resources, receiving guidance from advisors, developing skills valued by employers, participating in high-impact practices like research and internships, and taking advantage of one-stop shops for resources. Each trend is supported by data from surveys and studies about their positive impact on retention, engagement, and post-graduation outcomes.

1. Trends Reshaping Higher Education and Libraries Designing Libraries IX
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Trends Impacting Higher
Education and Libraries
Designing Libraries IX
Elliot Felix 1
Architects: Snøhetta and Stantec
Photography: Michael Grimm

2. Trends Reshaping Higher Education and Libraries Designing Libraries IX
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Trends Impacting Higher
Education and Libraries

3. Trends Reshaping Higher Education and Libraries Designing Libraries IX
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Imagine a college
experience where all
students….

4. Trends Reshaping Higher Education and Libraries Designing Libraries IX
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Feel like they belong Source: NSSE 2020, n=185,000+ students and 580
bachelor’s degree-granting institutions. Tableau Dashboard
Measuring College Student Belonging
Three questions, 20 pts each for score
out of 60 points:
1. I feel comfortable being myself at
this institution
2. I feel valued by this institution
3. I feel like part of the community at
this institution
The National Survey of Student Engagement began measuring belonging in 2020
and found students who intend to return have 41% higher sense of belonging.

5. Trends Reshaping Higher Education and Libraries Designing Libraries IX
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Have the support they need
The right support, at the right time, in the right place can help students succeed.
A Rand report found a “one-stop-shop” was associated with 3% retention gain.
Source: Rand Report: “Connecting College
Students to Alternative Sources of Support”
University of Minnesota One-Stop

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Take advantage of library resources
Students who use library resources were 1.44 times more likely to graduate than
those who did not use any library resources.
Source: CRL The Impact of Academic
Library Resources on Undergraduates’
Degree Completion
University of Miami Learning Commons

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Get guidance from advisors
Advising has a direct impact on student success and retention. For every 1% more
satisfied students are with advisors, they are 1.5% more likely to stay enrolled.
Source: Advising Satisfaction: Implications for First-Year
Students’ Sense of Belonging and Student Retention

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Build the skills they need to succeed Source: AAC&U
Employers Report 2021
The AAC&U long running study of “what employers want” consistently emphasizes
collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication.
Very Important Somewhat Important Not Important

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Work on projects with impact
Service learning and civic engagement projects not only provide students with
ways to contribute by they then get hired faster and at higher salaries.
Source: The Impacts of Undergraduate Service-Learning
on Post-Graduation Employment Outcomes
UMich Barger Leadership Institute

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Conduct original research
Undergraduate original research on independent projects or faculty projects is a
proven high-impact practice to engage students and make connections.
University of Alabama Birmingham
Sources: AAC&U High-Impact Practices and David Lopatto
Undergraduate Research as a High-Impact Student Experience

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Have a fruitful internship
Students with internships where they could apply what they learn in the classroom
are more likely to be engaged at work after graduation and value their education.
Students with Internships
1.5x more likely to think
their education was worth
the cost
1.8x more likely to be
engaged at work after
graduation
Source: Gallup “Great Jobs, Great
Lives.” (Gallup Purdue Index 2016)

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Further Reading Library Journal Article Link

13. Trends Reshaping Higher Education and Libraries Designing Libraries IX
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THANK YOU!
Elliot Felix
elliot@brightspotstrategy.com
elliotfelix.com/book
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