To improve Communications and Outreach to enrolled Students, the Navigator role was embedded directly into course shells of those related to this grant. With the Navigator role more directly engaged in each course, communication among students as well and course faculty was enhanced. Educating both students and faculty in each course on the purpose and intent of the Navigator role reduced barriers to students in need of assistance. These students are identified through lack of participation, poor grades, or faculty referred. The navigator reaches out to these students via email, phone and text to offer support in whatever form the student needs.

Other departments have also benefited from the navigator role. It was uncovered that many students were confused about their grade due to the way the grade book was set up in the course shell. The Navigator worked with leadership across multiple departments to address this issue, resulting in the solution being implemented beyond our original scope.