75. Understanding the students you serve (Generation X’ers, millennials, Generation Z’ers, etc.)

It is important for college campuses to study their students, collect data on them so they better understand their unique qualities, and then determine how to best serve them. A common challenge that many campuses face is making sure that campus practices, policies, approach, and culture match the students that they serve. The students on our campuses change over time and it is important that we adjust along with them.<br/><br/>Gen Z’ers began showing up on college campuses around 2015. These students are very different from those students who came before them. And, from our experience and consulting, it is clear that most colleges and universities have not adjusted to appropriately serve this new population. Campus practices and culture are still best suited to serve a group of students who are millennials or Generation X’ers.  There are many unique characteristics with Generation Z and it is important that we understand these nuances in order to appropriately serve them. <br/><br/>In order for campuses to successfully retain students from Generation Z, it will be important for them to understand this population and adjust their practices accordingly.