Knack Notes Blog

Take a deeper look into how peer learning can impact higher education.

What Keeps Students in College? Belonging. Connection. Peer Support.

The Real Reason Students Leave

A student on the brink of dropping out rarely cites coursework alone. Yes, academic challenges play a role, but more often, it’s something quieter: a sense of not belonging, a lack of encouragement, or the feeling that no one would notice if they left. These underlying factors, often invisible to data dashboards, are the real drivers of attrition.

Higher education has an opportunity to confront this reality—not just with new policies, but with renewed commitment to the human side of persistence.

From the Classroom to the Clinic: How Peer Tutoring Prepares Nursing Students for Leadership

Nursing education has never been more rigorous, or more necessary. As the healthcare system faces...

When “College Ready” Isn’t Enough

Across the country, students are arriving on campus with AP credits and dual enrollment experience,...

Partner Spotlight: Chyna Howell from Missouri S&T

At Missouri S&T, the heartbeat of the Student Success Center is Chyna Howell.As Senior Program...

Retention Isn’t a Mystery. It’s a Signal.

Nearly one in four first-year students doesn’t return for their second year of college. That’s the...

Peer Tutoring in Action: UNH’s Story of Access, Belonging, and Retention

Since 2021, the University of New Hampshire has partnered with Knack to offer scalable, peer-led...

From Study Aid to Skill Builder: Why AI + Peer Tutoring Is a Powerful Combo

Rethinking Support in the Age of AI

Students today are navigating a very different learning...

Beyond the Learning Center: Reaching the 53% Who’ve Never Asked for Help

More than half of college students—an estimated 53%—have never accessed any form of academic...

When Peer Tutoring Becomes Part of Campus Culture

On a recent visit to Northeastern University, I witnessed something that is often talked about but...

What My Dad Taught Me About Relationship-Driven Work

Growing up, I didn’t always recognize that my father was teaching me business lessons. I just knew...

Peer Education as Purpose

During my years working alongside peer educators in higher education, there was one reflection I...

Student Success Starts Here: Knack’s Top Performing Programs of 2025

This year, we recognized our standout partners who go above and beyond in using peer tutoring to...