Community colleges serve a remarkably diverse student population. This includes traditional students coming straight from high school, non-traditional students returning to education later in life, dual enrollment high school students, online learners, and working parents striving to balance education with their responsibilities. Fostering student success in such a dynamic environment requires innovative programs, holistic support, and intentional engagement strategies.
Three institutions—Germanna Community College in Virginia, Bergen Community College in New Jersey, and Flathead Valley Community College in Montana—are leading the way with initiatives that prioritize the whole student, from meeting basic needs to building a strong sense of community.
While Germanna, Flathead Valley, and Bergen differ in size and location, they share a common vision: to support the whole student. Each institution leverages the CampusGroups campus experience platform to foster student success by streamlining communications, enhancing engagement, and automating key processes.
Through robust basic needs programs, intentional engagement strategies, and a commitment to data-driven decision-making, these institutions are helping their students overcome barriers, connect with their communities, and achieve their goals.
“It’s about creating an environment where students can thrive, not just survive,” Dr. Trump summarizes.
With leaders like Dr. Frank Cirioni, Wendy Jeschke, and Dr. A.J. Trump championing these efforts, community colleges are proving that a holistic, student-centered—supported by innovative technology—approach makes all the difference.
At Germanna Community College, where over 13,000 students are served across seven counties, Dr. Frank Cirioni, Dean of Student Development, emphasizes a tailored, proactive approach to student success.
“We give individualized, one-on-one support to all of our students," says Cirioni. We look at the whole student—where they are, where they want to go, and where they want to be—and we meet them there.”
One standout initiative is Germanna Cares, a signature program addressing barriers students may face outside the classroom. The program provides emergency funding, healthy food through an on-campus pantry, housing and transportation support, and technology access. Students are also connected to local and state resources through partnerships, including Single Stop. Recently, Germanna implemented TimelyCare, a 24/7 tele-mental health service that has proven to be transformative for student well-being.
“If students are healthy and happy outside the classroom, they’re going to be successful inside,” says Cirioni. “Germanna Cares is all about removing those barriers and showing our students that we love and support them.”
Beyond essential services, Germanna focuses on celebrating and engaging its students.
“We recognize our students’ achievements through programs like our spring gala and Student Appreciation Days. Showing genuine care pays off. Students see that we value them and are invested in their success,” Cirioni noted.
Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) in northwest Montana serves approximately 2,500 students across two campuses. Despite its smaller size, the institution takes a comprehensive approach to student success through academic advising, basic needs support, and student engagement programs.
Wendy Jeschke, Director of Student Engagement, shares the college’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections:
“We pride ourselves on strong one-on-one advising and a diverse student support services department. Programs like our food pantry, wellness initiatives, and peer educators ensure students feel supported both inside and outside the classroom.”
A key focus at FVCC is improving student engagement by connecting students to their campus and broader community through events, service projects, and partnerships on and off campus. The goal is to strengthen community ties and foster a sense of belonging.
“We’ve taken a data-informed approach,” Jeschke explains. “We look closely at data to make decisions, improve communication, and increase data literacy across campus. This has allowed us to better identify needs and ensure students feel supported in ways that matter to them.”
Flathead Valley has also strengthened student government to foster community by restructuring its operations and ensuring student representation across the institution, including on faculty senate, budget committees, and academic leadership groups. This has amplified the student voice.
“It’s been great to see students—both quiet and outspoken—making a difference. The faculty was hesitant at first, but they now embrace the collaboration,” Jeschke added.
At Bergen Community College, the largest community college in New Jersey with a student population of around 13,000, Dr. A.J. Trump, Vice President of Student Affairs, underscores the importance of removing obstacles to student success.
“Students need their basic needs met first—whether it’s food, clothing, or mental health support—to be successful in the classroom,” says Dr. Trump. “The rigor for being a student should be in the classroom—not in navigating resources, finding support, or staying enrolled.”
Bergen offers a range of essential services, including a food pantry, clothing closet, daycare, and personal counseling. Recognizing the importance of creating engaging opportunities for students on campus, the institution champions creative initiatives like Pizza with the President.
“Once we adopted the Ready app, we amplified events with campus-wide notifications,” Dr. Trump shares. “At Pizza with the President, we had such a huge turnout we needed more pizzas and a bigger space!”
Bergen also leverages data to assess and refine its strategies:
“We track event participation, student engagement, and outcomes to make informed decisions. Data allows us to identify what works, iterate on ideas, and strategically reallocate resources,” says Dr. Trump.
A strong digital and mobile strategy is critical for connecting students efficiently and streamlining their experience. All three institutions prioritize a unified approach to digital tools:
Dr. Trump: “At Bergen, consolidating tools into the Ready app made a huge impact on retention and engagement. Students can access everything—Canvas, AI chatbots, resources—from one place. A fragmented digital experience does students a disservice.”
Dr. Cirioni: "We streamlined Germanna’s tools into our ‘core four,’ focusing on quality of tools over quantity to reduce redundancies and enhance usability. CampusGroups serves as our hub for student life, leadership, and engagement."
Wendy Jeschke: “At FVCC, adopting CampusGroups transformed our ability to engage students and track critical data. As a small school, having a mobile app has been a game-changer. It connects students while empowering staff like me—working as a department of one—to engage students efficiently and effectively.”
Data plays a pivotal role in shaping student engagement strategies and communicating institutional impact. Key areas of focus include:
"CampusGroups allows us to track key data, like attendance and service hours, which helps us tell a compelling story. When presenting to our college board or cabinet, this data paints a clear picture of where our students are spending their time—on campus, in our region, and throughout the year. The insights are always surprising; for example, student dances consistently rank as our most attended events. The data proves that, far from being old school, dances remain a vital part of student engagement," said Dr. Cirioni.
The institutions recognize the importance of blending digital solutions with face-to-face initiatives to ensure inclusivity for all students. Strategies include:
By intentionally balancing high-tech and high-touch approaches, these institutions create opportunities for students to feel seen, valued, and connected.
Germanna, Bergen, and Flathead Valley Community Colleges are champions of holistic student support, data-driven strategies, and meaningful engagement. Through innovative programs, digital transformation, and a shared commitment to student success, these institutions are paving pathways for students to thrive academically, socially, and personally.