This panel of leaders in online education will explore how digital communities provide tailored support for non-traditional learners, enhancing connection and persistence. We will explore why, in this era of AI, maintaining a human-first support approach is critical for student well-being, retention, and success.

Community-based support has emerged as a transformative approach to addressing the diverse needs of online learners. This session delves into the human-first, technology-supported model employed by the nation's leading institutions, which provides a lifeline for the non-traditional students they serve. Non-traditional learners, who make up nearly 75% of post-secondary enrollments in the US, require an educational journey that accommodates their unique schedules, responsibilities, and learning styles. Digital communities represent a crucial component of an effective model, offering support and engagement that is flexible, personalized, and scalable. This session, led by a panel of higher education leaders, highlights how community based support is directly tied to increases in sense of belonging, peer connection, and student persistence. This presentation will actively engage participants through interactive Q&A and scenario-based discussions to illustrate how virtual communities, powered by AI, provide a more flexible, scalable support system for non-traditional students. Attendees will leave with a deep understanding of how technology helps personalize learner support, strategies for fostering community engagement, and the impact on student academic performance and retention. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to implement similar solutions within their institutions.