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Hurricane Helene widened digital inequities for western North Carolina community college students and unveiled challenges in the usage of online student support services, according to a new brief from the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research at the NC State University’s College of Education.
The brief analyzes students’ access to and use of new student support services at Isothermal Community College, McDowell Technical Community College, and Western Piedmont Community College following Hurricane Helene. The three colleges were months into the implementation of Foothills FORWARD, a federally funded success coaching program, when Helene struck the region, the brief says.
A Belk Center survey of 143 students across the three colleges found that 51% of students were referred to a success coach due to hurricane-related needs, and 34% actually engaged with a coach to support their recovery. This number, the report says, “stands out as a strong indication of both the demand for and reliance on human-centered support during disruption.”
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Through the federal program, college staff serve as coaches guiding students through their academic journey. The initiative also launched two virtual platforms for students to receive support off campus, the brief says. Single Stop connects students to resources such as food, housing, and financial assistance from local organizations and government, while TimelyCare provides medical and mental health services.
Following the survey of students across the three colleges in January, the Belk Center concluded that Helene disrupted the studies of 70% of respondents, delayed assignments for over 50%, and left 85% of respondents without access to reliable internet or technology.
“The hurricane’s impact further strained this geographical area already characterized with low college attainment and high poverty rates,” the brief says.
The hurricane was the costliest in North Carolina’s history, causing nearly $60 billion in damages and recovery needs, and killed 108 people across the state.
The brief found students also struggled to attend their classes, connect with faculty, staff, or success coaches, and reported increased needs for food and housing support.
Only 12% of respondents used Single Stop and 8% used TimelyCare, though both groups reported high levels of satisfaction with the programs. Focus group members suggested the low usage for TimelyCare was due to student unfamiliarity with the services, a lack of proper training for staff and faculty to promote its usage, and a lack of reliable internet access. For Single Stop, survey respondents complained about the program’s “overwhelming” application process.
In addition to the student survey, the Belk Center also conducted focus groups with college leaders and staff. The brief points out that internet disruptions following Helene also affected staff and faculty.
“It is important to acknowledge that although staff and faculty were not included in the survey, they too faced similar connectivity issues, which further complicated the entire academic cycle, from students submitting assignments to faculty grading and providing timely feedback,” the brief says.
The brief celebrated the “invaluable” work of success coaches and recommended that colleges prioritize coaches as a resource for students moving forward.
“To enhance future resilience, we recommend leveraging success coaches as primary points of contact, simplifying digital platform processes, and expanding and standardizing training for faculty and staff on these critical student support resources,” the brief says.
The full brief is available on the Belk Center’s website or in the file below:
Editor’s note: The N.C. Press Association has awarded EdNC its public service award for our coverage and strategic support of western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. You can see all of our coverage here.
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