According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (2025), the percent of students enrolled in distance education courses in postsecondary institutions in the fall of 2024 was 53.8%. Importantly and unfortunately, the withdrawal rate for this population far outpaces traditional students attending higher education institutions, requiring a closer examination of factors that can be addressed to improve retention in this population. In a comprehensive study reporting post-pandemic online course […] The post Retention Is Emotional, Not Just Academic: Practical Strategies That Keep Online Students Engaged appeared first on Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning .