Bridging Connections: A Digital Transformation's Role In Strengthening Academic Cohesion

This study examines the role of digital transformation in strengthening academic cohesion at the College of Business and Public Administration (CBPA) from the perspectives of school administrators, faculty, and students. A descriptive-comparative research design was employed, with data collected through a structured survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews from a purposive sample of 530 respondents across five academic programs in a university. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA, and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that digital tools and platforms generally enhance engagement levels across academic, social, collaborative, and resource utilization activities, with some variations among stakeholder groups. The effectiveness of digital communication channels is largely satisfactory, particularly in terms of clarity and timeliness; however, there is room for improvement in the accessibility and consistency of messaging. Stakeholders generally perceive alignment between their roles and the institution's core values and goals in a digitally transformed environment, although awareness and clarity of these aspects could be strengthened. No significant differences were found in the assessment of digital transformation's role in strengthening academic cohesion among the three respondent groups. The study highlights the importance of continued investment in digital infrastructure and literacy to support academic cohesion, with recommendations for enhancing digital platforms, providing targeted training, developing inclusive decision-making processes, and strengthening the integration of institutional missions into digital initiatives. Future research should explore the long-term impact of digital transformation on academic cohesion and institutional performance.