Simple things can go a long way.

It is relatively simple for a professor to arrive early for a class and interact with students on a personal level before the teaching begins. But research shows that this straightforward task can have considerable effect: Forging relationships with faculty members has the power to motivate students to more committed learning and academic success.

An early arrival in class sends the signal that faculty care for their students as individuals. Talking informally strengthens relationships, increases student participation and boosts confidence.

The idea of having instructors arrive early to class, even if it’s just a few minutes, was one of many ideas put forth at Southern Maine Community College’s annual Community Conversation last month. The Community Conversation is a gathering where students, faculty, staff and community partners share ideas and opinions on what SMCC can do to be the best it can be.

More than 160 people turned out for the Feb. 24 event, gathering in small groups around tables, exchanging thoughts about civility and then sharing those with the whole group. We then swapped ideas on how we can do things differently to move the college forward toward positive change. (Staff who organized the event will summarize the ideas and post them on SMCC’s portal to share with students and employees.)

One professor said she always arrives early at class so she can interact with students on a personal level. It’s a little thing, she said, but its shows students that they are a priority and that she is there for them.

Another instructor said he has started a student comics club to improve communication among students who might be as different as day and night, but have a common interest in comics. Another is offering classes that break out of the typical semester mold, including an intensive Museum Skills Training course that lasts for two weeks and another course that includes travel to Italy.

Other instructors said they have made extra efforts to simply be more patient and understanding and to become better listeners.

One of our students, Bronson Kieltyka, said that a series of get togethers, known as “Mentor Mixers,” that he and other students organized last fall had a tremendous impact because it allowed students and faculty to get to know each other outside of the classroom. The Community Conversation was a “breath of fresh air” where students, faculty and staff could swap ideas and inspire one another, together as a group, he said.

“I sat at a table with an administrator, two faculty, two staff and a fellow student,” Bronson said afterward. “We brainstormed ideas about how to retain students in trade programs, guide students in liberal arts programs, and come up with specific actionable items for the near future to help promote student success. SMCC should continue to host and promote these events to inspire as many community members as possible to facilitate student success.”

We’re here to help students succeed, in any way we can.

Ron Cantor is president of Southern Maine Community College.