At business schools across the country, a quiet revolution is taking place. From flagship state universities to smaller private colleges, academic leaders are reaching the same conclusion: the traditional ways of supporting students are no longer enough.
This shift isn’t about adding new programs or expanding office hours. It’s about fundamentally rethinking how support is delivered, who delivers it, and what outcomes it should drive. And for a growing number of colleges of business, that means leaning into peer-to-peer models that prioritize flexibility, scalability, and human connection.
The Catalyst for Change
Business schools have long been seen as career accelerators, launching students into consulting, finance, entrepreneurship, and beyond. But the road to those outcomes is increasingly complex. Students are juggling demanding course loads, competing priorities, and rising mental health challenges. Many are working jobs, supporting families, or returning to the classroom after time away.
Faculty and staff feel this pressure, too. Budgets are tight. Advising caseloads are high. And the expectation to show results—in retention, satisfaction, and career readiness—has never been greater.
For many business school leaders, the question is no longer whether to change, but how.
A Shift Toward Peer Support
In this context, peer tutoring is emerging as one of the most impactful tools in a business school's toolkit. When designed thoughtfully, peer support models do more than just boost grades. They:
At institutions like Kennesaw State University and Rutgers University, peer tutoring has become central to student success strategies. These programs don’t just supplement traditional support. They reshape it.
Lessons from the Field
Across institutions experimenting with these models, a few common themes are emerging:
- The old model wasn’t scalable. Staffing constraints and growing demand made it impossible to keep up using legacy models.
- Peer connection matters. Students were more likely to engage with support when it was led by peers, offered on-demand, and embedded in the rhythm of campus life.
- Equity is non-negotiable. Reaching underserved students required more than offering services. It required meeting them where they are.
- Impact needs to be visible. Leaders needed access to data and insights that could demonstrate ROI and guide continuous improvement.
What Comes Next
The business school leaders embracing these new models aren’t just making operational changes. They’re setting a new standard for what student support can look like in a dynamic, high-stakes learning environment.
As they continue to iterate, one thing is clear: the future of student success in business education will be built on connection, not complexity. And it will be led not just by administrators, but by students themselves.
Curious how peer models are transforming student support at business schools? Learn how Knack partners with institutions to build scalable, student-led tutoring solutions that drive real outcomes. Contact us to start the conversation.
