Building Authentic Student Communities for Enhanced Engagement at Mohawk College: : A Conversation with Gladys Mungai and Goin'

Watch the Full In-Depth Discussion

For a deeper dive, watch our live session with Gladys Mungai, Student Arrival Coordinator at Mohawk College: Watch Here

Over the course of an insightful hour, they shared first-hand examples and practical strategies for how digital student communities not only support student mental health and belonging but also reduce staff workloads and enhance the overall enrolment journey.

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Creating Calm During the Chaos of Transition

Gladys began by framing the emotional complexity of the international student experience.

“There’s that huge excitement piece… but there’s also that nervousness and anxiety of having to come into a new country, adapt to a new country…”

This period, between offer acceptance and actual arrival, is critical. It’s often when students start to feel overwhelmed by logistics, uncertainty, and the weight of leaving home. Without the right support, these feelings can negatively impact confidence, preparation, and even retention.

Student communities offer a valuable counterbalance: real-time student interaction, emotional reassurance, and informal yet meaningful support.

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A Student-Led, Peer-Driven Space

One of the most important elements of Mohawk’s approach with Goin is that students, not staff, drive the conversation.

“They are actually the ones creating those little communities, like, ‘Hey I’m into photography or anime.’ And they’re connecting pre-registered students through that.”

These organically created groups cover a wide range of interests, from personal hobbies to shared travel plans. Students also form chat groups around housing, fitness, budgeting, orientation, and campus life.

This sense of autonomy builds community ownership and relevance, making each interaction more meaningful and authentic.

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Supporting the Shy and the First-Time Travelers

Gladys emphasized that Goin provides a particularly important bridge for students who may not yet feel confident interacting in person.

“This becomes their soft landing,” she said. “They can ask simple questions like, ‘Who else is arriving May 4th?’ and start building friendships.”

Rather than showing up to campus alone, students already know a few names and faces. This makes that intimidating first week easier and increases the likelihood of early social integration.

The platform also gives returning students a chance to share cultural tips and insider insights, making incoming students feel welcomed by students who’ve been in their shoes.

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Reducing Staff Workload Through Student Answers

Staff aren’t expected to be available 24/7, nor do they need to answer every “What do I pack?” question. In Mohawk’s case, Gladys reported that students quickly step up to help each other.

“It absolutely eases that repetitive kind of messaging… we’re not answering the same questions again and again,” she said.

From directions to campus, to transit tips, to class schedules, answers from other students are often more timely and relatable. For staff, this means less time spent fielding low-level logistics, and more time focusing on high-impact student support.

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Empowering Ambassadors Who Give Back

One of the most powerful aspects of Mohawk’s Goin community is how it turns past users into future leaders.

“They said, ‘This helped me so much, I wanted to give back,’” Gladys shared, speaking of student ambassadors who joined the platform as anxious first-years and returned the next year to mentor others.

These student leaders aren’t just helpful, they’re credible. Their empathy, grounded in lived experience, builds trust and fuels even more student engagement.

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Safety Without Oversight Headaches

Despite housing thousands of students across hundreds of groups, Gladys reported a remarkably smooth experience on the platform.

“There’s a lot of trust. We haven’t had to escalate anything,and we have very little involvement.”

The Goin platform includes built-in AI moderation and clear community guidelines, helping ensure safe interactions without requiring constant staff oversight. This low-lift model supports both institutional capacity and student autonomy.

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"100,000 Percent Worth It"

When asked about the return on investment, Gladys didn’t hesitate:

“A hundred thousand percent, because it goes back to student well‑being… feeling seen, heard, acknowledged, and validated.”

For Mohawk, the value isn’t just in smoother logistics or better orientation outcomes, it’s about creating a culture of care and connection. When students feel supported before they arrive, they’re more likely to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

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Curious to See the Full Discussion?

Click here to watch the full recording and hear directly from Gladys and Karyna about how student-led communities can transform recruitment, reduce anxiety, and empower students to arrive ready and confident.