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Home › Success Stories › Germanna Community College
Success Story

Holistic Support at Germanna Community College

CampusGroups has become an integral part of Germanna’s student experience — enhancing leadership opportunities, improving communication, and fostering a vibrant, connected campus community.
Institution Type:
Community College
Student Numbers:
13,000+
Location:
Virgina, 5 Locations
Client Since:
2023

About Germanna Community College

Founded in 1970, Germanna Community College serves the residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, Culpeper, King George, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania, and Stafford and online learners everywhere by providing accessible, high-quality education to over 13,000 students annually. With two campuses and three sites, along with robust online offerings, Germanna offers over 70 degrees and programs.

Recognized as an Aspen Institute Top 150 Community College, Germanna prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and equips them with career-ready skills. Committed to student success, it fosters an inclusive, supportive learning environment for students from the local area, as well as international students.

Outcomes

CampusGroups has become an integral part of Germanna’s student experience — enhancing leadership opportunities, improving communication, and fostering a vibrant, connected campus community. This is reflected in the following user stats.
Active Users
0 +
including students who rely on the platform to access resources, events, and updates, while faculty and staff use it to collaborate and communicate more effectively.
Events
0
hosted since launch, creating consistent opportunities for engagement.
Targeted Emails
0 +
sent by departments and student groups, ensuring relevant updates reach the right audiences.

Challenges

As a non-residential college, Germanna students identified a need for better connection with the college and each other, and access to critical college services from academic support, clubs and events to other essential resources, including:

  • Food insecurity – Limited access to nutritious meals.
  • Housing instability – Unreliable or unsafe living conditions.
  • Transportation barriers – Difficulty accessing campus due to limited transit options.
  • Mental health concerns – Need for counseling and wellness support.
  • Technology access – Limited availability of reliable internet or devices for coursework.
  • Lack of belonging – Difficulty feeling connected to the campus community.

These barriers threaten academic persistence and success, prompting Germanna to implement a comprehensive solution to holistically support student needs.

Solutions

Germanna Community College implemented the CampusGroups platform (“The Grizz”) in 2023, replacing its legacy system due to low adoption and challenges engaging students, particularly on mobile devices.

Accessible via web and mobile, CampusGroups serves as a one-stop shop for key resources, engaging students and supporting their academic and personal success. By streamlining access to essential services, the platform has driven positive outcomes for both students and the broader campus community.

 

1. Increased Retention:

By using CampusGroups as a centralized hub for essential resources, Germanna helps students stay focused on academics, leading to improved retention and success. Through the Germanna Cares Program, accessible via the CampusGroups platform, students can access:

  • Emergency funding for financial hardships.
  • An on-campus food pantry with healthy meal options.
  • Housing and transportation assistance to reduce logistical barriers.
  • Technology access to support academic success.
  • Connections to state and local resources through partnerships like Single Stop™ and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program.

2. Improved Well-Being:

The CampusGroups platform connects students to mental health resources, including a 24/7 tele-mental health service, ensuring support is always accessible. Through its chat features, student organization and event registration, as well as a campus-wide directory, the platform also fosters connections and a sense of belonging, helping to reduce stress and increase student well-being.

3. Enhanced Engagement:

Students can join clubs and organizations via CampusGroups or start their own club with support from the office of Student Life and Leadership. CampusGroups also streamlines access to events, resources, and services, fostering a strong sense of community. Events like the Spring Gala and Student Appreciation Days celebrate student achievements, while a culture of care and investment in student success strengthens connections across campus.

“one-on-one support”
“We give individualized, one-on-one support to all of our students. We look at the whole student—where they are, where they want to go, and where they want to be—and we meet them there”
Dr. Frank Cirioni
Former Dean of Student Development
“All about removing those barriers”
“If students are healthy and happy outside the classroom, they’re going to be successful inside. Germanna Cares is all about removing those barriers and showing our students that we love and support them.”
Dr. Frank Cirioni
Former Dean of Student Development
“Students see that we value them and are invested in their success”
“We recognize our students’ achievements through programs like our spring gala and Student Appreciation Days. Showing genuine care pays off. Students see that we value them and are invested in their success”
Dr. Frank Cirioni
Former Dean of Student Development
“A vital resource for student success.”
“After seeing the success of Ready Education at Golden West, I knew CampusGroups was the right fit for Germanna. We replaced our legacy system to improve mobile accessibility and student engagement, and it’s now a vital resource for student success.”
Dr. Frank Cirioni
Former Dean of Student Development

Conclusion

Through its holistic support initiatives, Germanna Community College demonstrates how addressing barriers outside the classroom can directly impact student success and well-being. By fostering a supportive environment and celebrating achievements, Germanna creates a culture where students feel valued, empowered, and equipped to reach their full potential.