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As higher-ed leaders strive to meet students’ expectations around the student experience, it’s critical for them to understand “the COVID cohort”–the first class of incoming college students who spent all four years of their secondary education in a world impacted and changed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Understanding the COVID Cohort: Key Trends That Make This Year’s Incoming College Students Unique, from software solutions and data insights provider Vector Solutions, offers in-depth analysis and unique insights into the attitudes, behaviors, and needs of this year’s incoming college students impacted by the pandemic.
These students, the COVID cohort, represent the first class of incoming college students who spent all four years of their secondary education in a world impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report presents a nuanced perspective on the attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors of more than 350,000 incoming college students (age 19 and under) across 448 colleges and universities. It is the latest installment of Vector Solutions’ Campus Prevention Network (CPN) National Insights series, which analyzes unique Fall 2024 data collected from pre-matriculation training programs.
The COVID cohort appears to be defined by contradictions. They value mental health, diversity, and personal responsibility, yet are reluctant to act when faced with difficult situations. They are aware of the importance of intervening to keep their community safe, but prefer indirect methods that minimize personal risk. They also feel increasingly disconnected from their peers, faculty, and staff despite sharing common values. This year’s report highlights significant year-over-year trends among first-year students since 2021, offering insight into how the pandemic has influenced their attitudes towards: mental health; diversity; alcohol and substance misuse; sexual violence; and personal, peer, and institutional responsibilities.
“Students impacted by the pandemic present unique challenges and opportunities that university administrators at all levels must understand to achieve meaningful outcomes,” said Rob Buelow, VP and general manager of education at Vector Solutions. “This report equips higher education institutions with a better understanding of this generation’s specific needs, enabling schools to tailor programs that foster resilience, engagement, and success.”
The report provides unique insights into how students understand the world around them and their attitudes and perceptions around critical issues on campus. Key findings include:
- Sustained awareness, decreased confidence: Seventy percent of incoming students report that they have the resources and time to seek mental health support, yet show a significant decrease in confidence that help-seeking can make a difference (92 percent in 2022 to 85 percent in 2024) as well in perceived need for mental health support during the past year (40 percent in 2022 to 29 percent in 2024).
- Inaccurate perceptions of peers: A significant gap exists between students’ own beliefs and their perceptions of peers, especially regarding mental health support, interventions to address sexual misconduct, and alcohol use. Eighty-nine percent reported that they would refrain from engaging in sexual activity if the other person were incapacitated due to alcohol or drug use, while only 51 percent believe that their peers would do the same.
- Bystander intervention ambivalence: While students exhibit awareness of bystander intervention strategies, most are not comfortable taking direct approaches, especially when they pose personal risks. Only 40 percent of these students would confront a person that is causing harm in a potential sexual assault situation, while 83 percent would ask the victim if they need help, 88 percent believe that intervening could save a life, and 87 percent believe that it is important to treat others with respect.
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion: The COVID cohort demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, but, overall, a significantly lower number of first-year students would respect a person who spoke up if someone was engaging in bias-related behavior (93 percent in 2021 to 84 percent in 2024) or are confident in their ability to act as an ally to others (90 percent in 2021 to 82 percent in 2024).
“Higher education leaders face unprecedented demands to foster inclusive, supportive, and resilient campus environments,” stated Charity Stutzman, senior director of higher education strategy at Vector Solutions. “Our report provides critical insights into how this generation’s pandemic-influenced experiences shape their approach to campus life, allowing institutions to better align resources, interventions, and policies with evolving student needs.”
The report emphasizes the need for campus environments that balance academic rigor with the psychological, emotional, and social needs of students–especially as pandemic-related challenges continue to impact mental health and well-being. As universities work to retain students through their first semesters, institutions must address gaps in engagement and connection while supporting the holistic development of students through stable and reliable resources.
This press release originally appeared online.
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