The University of Arkansas was represented on the national stage at the 2025 Digital Collegium Annual Conference, as Christopher Spencer and Brooklynn Prince presented their session, "Turning Inward: Boosting Student Confidence and Accessibility Through Virtual Reality Campus Exploration." 

The session explored how digital tools such as immersive 3D tours and augmented reality walk-throughs are transforming how incoming students experience campus before they arrive, particularly among students with disabilities, neurodivergent learners and those navigating college life for the first time. 

"Traditional tours highlight the scenic exteriors," Spencer said, "but belonging begins inside the spaces where students actually live, learn and connect." 

Spencer is the assistant director for marketing and strategic communications for University Housing and a master's degree candidate within the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, where he focuses on immersive storytelling. He is also a member of the Technology-Empowered Storytelling Lab (TESL) which is centered in the School of Art. 

Through 3D technology, students can explore residence halls and common areas at their own pace, learning details like room dimensions, bathroom layouts and mattress sizes, even before Move-In. These pre-arrival experiences reduce stress and build familiarity, particularly for students who might otherwise feel overwhelmed by new environments. 

Prince, a student designer and intern in University Housing's marketing team, shared insights from her hands-on experience curating virtual environments. "We think of it as belonging through design," she said. "By showcasing accessible pathways to residential spaces, we're helping every student picture themselves on our campus before they arrive." 

Designing for All

The presentation tied local innovation to national research. Spencer referenced studies showing that 80% of college students believe accessibility should be a campus priority, while half say their universities talk about it but could do better (State of Digital Accessibility in Higher Education, Concept3D).  

The talk also drew on the emerging academic framework of inclusive immersion, emphasizing that accessibility in virtual spaces must keep pace with usability and design aesthetics and be centered in devices already in users' possession like a cell phone or computer, not expensive dedicated virtual-reality devices. 

A recent University Housing survey of on-campus residents found strong engagement and positive outcomes from the virtual reality (VR) campus exploration tool. Nearly all respondents (97%) reported using the VR tour before arriving on campus. Of those, 89% said the experience definitely or probably reduced their pre-arrival stress, with even higher benefits reported among neurodivergent (92%) and disabled (100%) students.

These findings suggest that immersive, pre-arrival exploration not only helps students visualize their new environment but also meaningfully supports accessibility, confidence and overall wellbeing. 

Their work aligns with a growing movement across higher education to use immersive media not just for marketing, but for wellbeing, preparedness and retention.  

"The goal isn't just to build virtual tours," Spencer said. "It's to build confidence. We're creating equitable first steps for every student before they ever step foot on campus." 

The Digital Collegium conference, held in September 2025, drew higher education educators, technologists and designers from across the country to share promising practices in accessibility, digital engagement and emerging media. 

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About University Housing: University Housing is a department within the Division of Student Affairs serving a residential community of around 7,200 students. More than 200 students find employment opportunities with University Housing each year. We offer educational programs that support student success and services that help students focus on academics at the University of Arkansas.  

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports the whole student by cultivating transformative experiences and environments that promote student well-being, sense of community, and success. We prioritize student access, well-being, and belonging, post-graduation success, and building a strong organizational culture.