Community Building in Online Courses

In this episode of State of Wellbeing, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Teresa Seefeldt is joined by Malynda Mabbitt from Instructional Design Services to explore how community and belonging can be intentionally built in online courses. As online learning continues to grow, creating meaningful connections between students, instructors, and the university is more important than ever. Together, they discuss why community is a critical component of student success and share practical strategies faculty can use to foster connection in virtual learning environments—from course organization and thoughtful assessment design to the effective use of video, group work, and instructor presence. The conversation also highlights what students can do to stay engaged, manage their wellbeing, and take advantage of campus resources, even at a distance.