Memories of college days are often idyllic. For many people, college was a time of learning and growth, of excitement and challenge. For today’s college and graduate students, those things still tend to be true. Yet much has been written about the intense anxiety of the current generation of students as well as the obstacles that may stand in their way of graduating.
What’s different? In addition to the pressures many alumni of previous generations experienced — funding their education, coping with academic rigor, navigating social and romantic relationships, finding purpose and a path — today’s students face new challenges, expectations, and norms. To help today’s students succeed, support services and programs are more important than ever.
Changing Demographics
According to Inside Higher Ed, “Nontraditional students now make up a majority of undergraduates. The new student majority consists of commuting students, part-time students, working students, older students, family caregivers, transfer students, re-entering students, international students and students with disabilities.”
Although many undergraduate students at PLNU enter college directly after high school, there are a growing number of nontraditional students here as well. Some choose to enroll in accelerated programs designed to be completed while working full or part time. Meanwhile, at the graduate level, PLNU has seen the average age of enrolled students lower to the late 20s as more people choose to pursue advanced degrees earlier in their careers. This means that among students at all levels, there are many who are juggling jobs, caregiving, and academics.
How students are supported makes a difference in their stress levels, academic achievement, and likelihood of graduating successfully. According to the Lumina Foundation, 80% of college students work with 30% working full-time. In addition, 44% are financially independent from their parents, and 18% have children or other dependents. About 34% of college students nationally are age 25 or older, and 4.9% are veterans. Only 11% of young adults from low-income families earn bachelor’s degrees by age 24 compared with 58% from high-income families.
These factors can contribute to both the time and financial stress many students face while going to school. Graduate students are even more likely to work full-time and to have dependents.
Providing Resources for Retention
PLNU aims to provide both academic program structure and support services that are accessible to students who are working while attending school.
“Truly as much as students love education, we want to make sure they can get it done in a timely fashion,” said Amanda Bolton, dean of students for PLNU’s Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS).
“They need a flexible schedule, so we build programs that way and actually make them work that way. When they are choosing a school, we are hoping our approach and support will put us over the edge.”
Making resources available and easy to find was also the goal of launching myPLNU, a digital hub for communication and resources. myPLNU connects students through a browser or mobile app to academic resources like Canvas, Workday, and Google Workspace as well as extracurricular information such as events, deadlines, and financial information.
“With the addition of myPLNU, we have a place where students can virtually access resources all in one place,” said Bolton.
Digital resources enhance rather than replace mentorship and the personal touch Point Loma is known for.
“Once students decide they want to come, student success counselors meet with them right away,” said Katie Rios, academic resource and operations manager for GPS. “We ask: Why PLNU? What will help you the most, and how can we help you? We make a retention plan, reach out proactively, and do regular check-ins.”
PLNU also offers spiritual support with chaplains for both undergraduate and graduate students, who are always willing to listen, pray, and encourage.
Addressing Specific Needs
According to the Lumina Foundation, 50% of today’s college students are first generation, meaning that they are the first in their families to attend college. First generation college students often benefit from mentorship and special programs designed to support their growth and help them understand how to navigate college life.
At PLNU, LomaFirst is a program that recognizes and supports the unique experiences of first generation students. LomaFirst uses strategies such as academic advising, peer mentorship, financial literacy learning opportunities, early identification of students at risk of dropping out, and emergency funds for students in financial need who have exhausted other resources.
Meanwhile, PLNU’s Military Programs and Services offers support to the around 600 students who are active duty, veterans, reservists, and military family members. Tom Egan, PLNU’s director of military programs and a Navy veteran, and his team help military affiliated students certify their benefits and connect to local military support organizations. They also function as advocates.
“My team works to ensure their benefits are taken care of on time for tuition, housing, and book stipends,” Egan explained. “If they are having an issue at home or a service-related requirement, we advocate for them so there is no negative impact on their education.”
“They need a flexible schedule, so we build programs that way and actually make them work that way. When they are choosing a school, we are hoping our approach and support will put us over the edge.”
When it comes to academic support, there are tutoring resources available for both undergraduate and graduate students, including writing centers. The Educational Access Center (EAC) supports students at all levels who have disability-related needs or who need academic accommodations. International and transfer students can also receive assistance with their specific needs. All students can also receive support in navigating financial aid and the cost of their education.
Rios shared more details about the academic support available to graduate and accelerated undergraduate students.
“GPS students are empowered with essential academic resources that pave the way for success,” she said. “The GPS Writing Center is dedicated to nurturing writing skills in every student, fostering confidence and pride as they evolve into exceptional writers and communicators. With virtual appointments for personalized assistance and engaging Zoom workshops — along with recordings for those who can’t attend live — students are never without support. They can access free online tutoring 24/7 in over 170 subjects and a free writing resources course on Canvas that remains available throughout their journey at PLNU. Eligible students also have the opportunity to enhance their writing skills with a complimentary Grammarly for Education account. These invaluable resources ensure that every student is poised to excel in their academic journey.”
According to the Lumina Foundation, 22% of college students have low or very low food security. To address this critical need, at PLNU, the Office of Student Care operates the Loma Shares food pantry for traditional undergraduate students. Loma Shares works with local food banks and food rescue programs at two local grocery stores. Volunteer students, faculty, and staff join four student interns in running the pantry. In addition, Melanie Wolf, dean of student care and counseling, noted that PLNU participates in the national Swipe Out Hunger program in partnership with Sodexo, the university’s food services provider.
Addressing High Levels of Stress & Increased Need for Mental Health Support
According to the 2023-2024 Healthy Minds Study, 38% of college students surveyed had symptoms of moderate to severe depression, and 34% had symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety. There are many factors that may be contributing to the student mental health crisis. A performance/achievement-based culture, post-pandemic effects, financial pressures, and social media use have all been named as likely factors. In addition, according to Inside Higher Ed, “Today’s young people achieve the markers of full adulthood much later than in the recent past. Most won’t marry, bear children or secure a stable job until the age of 30 or even later (if then). This means that they must navigate a prolonged, over a decade-long, period of late adolescence and emerging adulthood that lacks a clear road map and well-defined expectations and rules.”
This prolonged period of uncertainty can add to stress. In addition, much attention has been given to the isolation many young people (and people of other ages) feel despite their ability to virtually connect with others at almost any time. Loneliness is a pervasive issue, and colleges can help foster connections that combat the issue. Students benefit from a sense of community whether their classes are in person, hybrid, or virtual. When school offers a place for connection and support, students are more likely to be successful even while juggling multiple commitments and stressors.
Universities can also help students succeed by providing mental health services. In fact, students today need and expect mental health support from their universities. In his book, The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt shares that rates of anxiety and depression among members of Gen Z have been steadily climbing since around 2010. Rios and staff at both PLNU’s Wellness Center and its Counseling Center noted an even greater uptick since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Sylvia Cortez Masyuk, graduate chaplain and director of accelerated undergraduate spiritual care, served abroad in Poland and Ukraine for more than 10 years before returning to PLNU (she had previously served as director of discipleship ministries from 2000-2011).
“Since returning to the U.S., I have witnessed a much higher level of anxiety among students than in my previous years at PLNU,” she said. “Awareness about anxiety and trauma has significantly increased in the U.S. We see a lot of anxiety and overwhelm among students, especially those who are young parents working full-time and sometimes facing extraordinary circumstances.”
Jen King, DNP, CNS, PHN, executive director of PLNU’s Wellness Center, said, “The data tells us student success is tied to good mental health. If we know we have increasing anxiety, we need to provide the resources to keep students healthy, functional, and happy.”
PLNU has, in fact, increased the mental health support it offers students. At the traditional undergraduate level, Wolf is the clinical director of mental health counseling services. The Counseling Center provides more than 80 individual counseling sessions and five group sessions a week; the groups offer stress and anxiety management as well as grief support. Wolf’s Counseling Center team includes six clinicians, three of whom are graduate students in PLNU’s Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling (MACC) program.
“This partnership significantly expands the counseling services we can offer and allows us to be investing in the training and development of the mental health professionals of tomorrow,” said Wolf.
Student Care also offers newly renovated and expanded space in Taylor Hall for case management; the Loma Shares food pantry; a telehealth room where students can meet with outside providers; and a care space room students can book for time alone to process or quietly reflect. “Feedback we heard from students was: ‘I never get to be alone,’” Wolf said. “Sometimes they just want a place to cry or to call a parent or support person. The care space has a weighted blanket, art supplies, a comfy chair, and a great view. It’s an opportunity for students to engage in self-care.”
PLNU’s Wellness Medical Center has also increased the mental health care available for students, especially those who may need medication. King noted that sometimes students come in for a medical appointment with physical symptoms — like headaches or gastrointestinal distress — that are actually caused by stress, anxiety, or depression.
“Once we rule out medical reasons [for students’ symptoms], we can appropriately refer them to on-campus counseling services,” King said. “If they already have a therapist, we encourage them to reconnect. They may be able to do telehealth if their therapist is at home. We also can refer them to our own psychiatrist if medication might help. We talk to them about sleep and nutrition and refer them to our in-house dietitian, Carrie Gunn, RDN, when appropriate.”
In order to increase access to psychiatric care, the Wellness Center is in the second year of a partnership with the School of Nursing (SON) in which nurse practitioner faculty members serve students in the center under the supervision of the staff psychiatrist. This not only makes more appointments available to students but also keeps the faculty current in their practice. Having relevant patient care experience can enhance their teaching.
Monique Sawyer, associate dean for SON and director of its traditional undergraduate program, is in her 10th year on the SON faculty. She’s also a psychiatric nurse practitioner. In spring of 2023, she spent her sabbatical researching nurse faculty practice models and created the proposal that led to this partnership. She is now one of the practitioners providing care in the Wellness Center four to six hours each week.
“The benefits are providing care and more fresh experience that I can bring to the classroom,” Sawyer said.
One of Sawyer’s patients, student Mykaela Ocampo, shared how mental health care has made a difference for her.
“Throughout my time here at Point Loma so far, I have had seasons where my mental health was not in a healthy space. During these difficult seasons, I felt alone and scared. However, when I finally worked up the courage to vocalize that I needed help, the PLNU Wellness Center was nothing but supportive and caring. They immediately took action, giving me resources and connecting me with compassionate mental health professionals on campus at the Counseling Center who I could talk to without judgement. I am incredibly grateful for the Wellness and Counseling Centers — without them, I don’t know if I would have been able to thrive as a college student here at PLNU like I currently am. Because of them, I now feel seen, supported, and cared for while here at Loma.”
GPS students can receive free or low-cost mental health care through the Center for Enriching Relationships, which is affiliated with PLNU’s Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling (MACC) program. Faculty, advising and financial aid staff, and Chaplain Cortez Masyuk also support students through listening and connecting them with resources.
“All of our frontline staff have been trained in mental health first aid as well as de-escalation and conflict resolution,” Bolton said. “When a student in crisis calls, we don’t hang up without a referral or making sure they are ok.”
Preparing Students for Career Success
Today’s students come to college with the expectation that they will be competitive in the job market when they graduate. At the graduate level, many students return to school in order to advance in their fields. Their practical mindset makes this generation of students interested in knowing that their university will help them achieve their goals by offering them the support and resources they need.
Inside Higher Ed suggests that preparing students for the workforce now includes more than giving them specific job skills. Schools must prepare students to work in diverse environments where social norms are often complex. Career preparation needs to include coaching on professionalism in the workplace and avoiding missteps that can hinder job satisfaction and advancement.
According to Peter Alkatib, MBA, PLNU Career Services co-director, university career services have moved through several phases. First was the “counselor era mostly focused on advisors giving one-on-one appointments in office.” Next was a “career center era with advising plus events, workshops, and collecting data about student outcomes.” Today, more universities are entering a “career ecosystem era known for milestones, integrations, faculty and staff advocates, innovation, experimentation, networking, workshops, and events.”
The career ecosystem offered at PLNU involves faculty and staff as career champions. Nick Wolf, MBA, is a director of career services and faculty in the Fermanian School of Business (FSB). He explained that career preparedness can be built into academic coursework.
“In the FSB, we are emphasizing people and technical and communication skills,” he said. “Businesses love well-rounded students, who are personable and who have the technical abilities to do the work.”
Alkatib and his co-director Tre Watkins, Ph.D., have also adopted a small group advising model.
“This is more beneficial [than one-on-one advising] because it involves peer learning and making networking connections,” Alkatib said. “It also reduces anxiety and boosts students’ confidence, which also speaks to mental health. Many feel alone and this approach shows them they aren’t.”
“Businesses love well-rounded students, who are personable and who have the technical abilities to do the work.”
In addition, the Career Services team has also invested in developing their website with resources students can access 24/7. Platforms like Handshake and Indeed connect students with employers.
In terms of career exploration, there are assessments that can help students learn how their interests and skills relate to different industries and jobs. Career Services also offers a stand-alone 1-unit course called “Career Readiness & Exploration,” which is available to traditional undergraduate and accelerated undergraduate students of all majors. There are also workshops for student leaders that can help them understand how college experiences like community service, club involvement, or even group projects have given them experiences in marketing, research, fundraising, or engagement that can be articulated on a resume.
“As a LomaFirst student, I found myself lost and needing direction regarding my resume and approach to the job market,” said Luis Eusebio, who earned a B.A. in political science. “Thanks to the amazing and thoroughly experienced staff I was able to go from feeling lost and insecure to confident in my resume.”
Conclusion
Today, many prospective undergraduate and graduate students choose their schools based on more than academic offerings. Since students’ goal is to graduate successfully, many are looking for a place with a strong reputation for student support. According to EAB, an educational research provider, “students view support services as an indicator of value, and an array of mental health supports is a competitive advantage in today’s market.” The examples in this article are just a few of the ways PLNU is striving to help each one fully become who they are called to be.
