Seamless Learning Requires Partnerships between Academic and Student Affairs

Skeptics and supporters agree: The current higher education model is unsustainable. Emerging research indicates that a "best process" approach involving the entire college community in improving student completion rates is more effective than an isolated "best practices" approach. Students accustomed to seamless, customized, 24/7 experiences with online retailers expect the same level of service from higher education. In response, college and university leaders promise to dismantle silos and build institutional cultures that value and reward collaboration. This module explores the importance of partnerships between academic and student aff airs in creating seamless learning environments, describes what higher education professionals can learn from partnerships developed to support adult learners, and provides opportunities for readers to assess both their institution's partnership climate and the skills they bring to any partnership.