EdMedia 2025

In May 2025, Eva Mika, Ph.D., PMP, interim associate dean of assessment and clinical associate professor, and Jennifer Gettings, M.Ed., assistant dean in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS), presented their work, "Beyond the Screen: Building Belonging and Community in Virtual Adult Education," at an international roundtable during the 2025 EdMedia Conference in Barcelona.

Drawing on the Social Ecological Model and the Jesuit message of cura personalis, their session explored how SCPS fosters a deep sense of community and connection for fully online adult learners—many of whom are first-generation, career changers, or returning to school after time away. Utilizing student feedback, research, and a social ecological framework, Dr. Mika and Gettings shared strategies SCPS has implemented to support student wellness, persistence, and engagement in a virtual environment.