Overview

March 19, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

After their first semester, many college students are not failing, in crisis, or visibly disengaged. Instead, they describe themselves as “fine,” “okay,” or “ge`tting by.” Emerging national research suggests this neutral sentiment may be one of the strongest early indicators of long-term retention risk, especially among students who appear academically stable and never trigger alerts.

In this GenZtressed webinar, Joshua Bay, Student Success Reporter from Inside Higher Ed, will lead higher education leaders in a candid conversation about what students are quietly experiencing beneath the surface. Drawing on new data and institutional insight, the panel explores how early erosion in belonging, emotional capacity, and sense of direction often precedes the “murky middle.”

Participants will examine why traditional success metrics miss this population and what proactive, scalable strategies can help institutions identify and support students before disengagement escalates, reshaping persistence, wellbeing, and success outcomes.

Why You Should Attend

Uncover the hidden risk population most campuses overlook, students who seem stable but are quietly drifting.

Learn how to identify neutral sentiment early using data and leading indicators before retention declines.

Walk away with practical, scalable strategies to strengthen belonging, engagement, and long-term student success.