Believe it or not, Gen Z students are now the incoming student population so it’s essential to know what’s really important to them. Millennials have been there, done that. And baby boomers, can you still hear me from the back? All jokes aside, Gen Z students have a lot on their plate, so attending a college where they feel their values and concerns are attended to, might just be the deciding factor in where they are headed next fall.
Inclusion
First and foremost, inclusion is a driving principle for Gen Z, and that’s reflected in everything from the school environments they choose to the brands they support, according to a study from Izea. More than any previous generation, Gen Z is focused on commitment to societal change. “Zoomers” are all about self-awareness and they strive to have the ability to foster inclusivity to make the world a better place.
TECHNOLOGY
Any of us Millennials or Boomers remember life before technology, “Is Johnny home, and can he come over to play baseball in the backyard?” But for Gen Z, they grew up with technology as a basic and essential part of their lives. Simply put, they just expect it to be at the forefront of their education.
And as a side note- parents of these incoming students expect the best for their kids too. They want to be impressed with the college they’re most likely spending their hard earned money on. Having foolproof technology is one of the best ways to impress these young adults and their parents alike.
In-Person Learning
Although Gen Z students were brought up with all the tech, believe it or not, they actually want to let go of the virtual classroom with 57% stating they prefer in-person learning, according to a study from Chalk.com. To help make learning more fun and interactive, Gen Z’ers expect personalized and on-demand experiences. They prefer to overcome challenges in a fully-immersive environment where they can conduct their own research, while making decisions and taking action. Simply put, they find hands-on learning to be more effective
Let’s Bring It Full Circle
Gen Z is poised to become the largest population segment on Earth. In the US, Zoomers make up more than a quarter of the population, so let’s give them the tools they need to succeed, starting with day 1. What steps can your campus take to make sure Zoomers feel heard right away?
It can literally start with the “first steps” - the campus tour for the prospective students. What better way to show inclusivity, use impressive technology, and guarantee a safe and effective in-person experience than to incorporate an assistive listening or interpretation system into the tour. By far, the best option on the market is the ListenTALK system from Listen Technologies. You’ll see admissions rates increase, and there are so many more uses for this product on campuses after the tours have slowed down for the year. Learn more about it here.
