How do I take input from an asp web form to a visual basic back end?

How do I take input from an asp web form to a visual basic back end?

Here's what I've come up with so far (from other research):
Dim strStudentEmail As String = If(Request.Form("StudentEmail"), "")
However when I check the output from this it comes out blank.
The input comes from this text box markup on an asp webpage:
Student Email Address:
<br />
<asp:TextBox ID="StudentEmail" runat="server"
AutoCompleteType="Email"></asp:TextBox>
<br />
P.S. I'm very new to asp & Visual Basic syntax.