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Volume 7, Issue 3 (SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2026)
johepal 2026, 7(3): 98-117 |
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Honal A, Scholl A, von Biedenfeld D, von Biedenfeld A. (2026). Student Onboarding as a Strategic Tool for Student Success: A Comparative Study of Germany and the United States. johepal. 7(3), 98-117. doi:10.66224/johepal.7.3.98
URL: http://johepal.com/article-1-1950-en.html
URL: http://johepal.com/article-1-1950-en.html
Abstract: (5 Views)
Student onboarding can support academic adjustment, social integration, and student success. This comparative cross-sectional study examines onboarding experiences at DHBW Mannheim in Germany and the University of Houston-Downtown in the United States. An online survey of 350 undergraduate business students (200 in Germany and 150 in the United States) assessed transition challenges, institutional support, and use of digital and artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Students in both settings identified academic workload, time management, and performance pressure as prominent challenges. Respondents in the United States rated mentoring, networking opportunities, and the organization of onboarding more favorably than respondents in Germany. Students also reported using digital platforms and AI for information retrieval and academic support. The findings suggest that onboarding should coordinate academic guidance, social connections, organizational information, and digital support across the first year. Institutional leaders can strengthen transition support through structured mentoring, clear communication, and guidance on responsible AI use. Because the study draws on self-reports from two institutions at one point in time, the observed differences should not be interpreted as causal effects or generalized to all students in either country.
Keywords: Student Onboarding, Student Success, First-Year Experience, Higher Education Leadership, Germany and United States, Artificial Intelligence
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/06/5 | Accepted: 2026/09/17 | Published: 2026/09/30
Received: 2026/06/5 | Accepted: 2026/09/17 | Published: 2026/09/30
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