It's tough.

When kids matter, when the work shift matters, when someone else needs to use the car matters, when "all my other stuff is at home matters", it's really, really tough to help commuter students feel like they belong to a community.

Class ends and students' heads shift down to their phones (if they aren't already there towards the end of class) and everyone scatters to what matters.

Can commuters and community co-exist?

Everyone wants better retention, better completion, and student success.

Everyone wants their students to feel like they are part of a community because it contributes to the desired outcomes and reduces student drop off.

But with commuter students where is the room for community?

The National Science Foundation's mission is to support research and people who create knowledge that transforms the future. They have backed us with a Phase II grant award allowing us to partner with schools and make a massive impact towards student success.

We're seeking 24 commuter schools who are wrestling with the question, "Can my commuters feel like they are part of a community?" and who believe community equates to persistence.