Retention

How about some good news for a change?

College-wide, overall retention rates for the last fiscal year (FY16) are in -- 81.7%.

Congratulations. This represents a steady 4% increase over the last 5 years. 

Grades of C or better are up (+4.3%), course withdrawal rates are down (-2.4%), and failing grades are down as well (-2%). 

As an open admission college, we don't limit or control the characteristics of of students that choose to study with us. But we can, to a large extent, influence the experience our students have when they arrive. The most important things instructors can do to help is to set high expectations for success, provide accurate and realistic advising, support and encourage, and promote engagement.

Unfortunately, there isn't any guaranteed formula that works with every student. Often, there are circumstances beyond anyone's control that lead to the loss of a student, but you can improve the odds for retention and success by helping your students engage and connect with your class, a club or organization, or most effectively, with you.

“Students who have frequent contact with faculty members in and out of class during their college years are more satisfied with their educational experiences, are less likely to drop out, and perceive themselves to have learned more than students who have less faculty contact.” (K. Patricia Cross, 1998)

Our way forward is clear. I’m betting on the idea that our College, our programs, and our faculty, are among the best in the state. I’m betting on the idea that we can grow our enrollment, perhaps significantly. It begins with retention.

Stable enrollment is the key to our long-term fiscal health. Improving our recruitment, retention, and persistence efforts are not only good for our students and our community, but to our bottom-line as well.

If every faculty member, full-time and part-time, found a way help just one more student make the decision to persist just one more semester where they might not otherwise, that alone would solve this whole budget mess.

By itself.

The potential impact is well over a million dollars. Per semester.

Your sections make more often. The curriculum diversifies. We stop talking so much about the budget. We control our own destiny.

Just 1 more.

Happy Thanksgiving.

The more intensely students are engaged and involved in their own education, the more likely they are to do well, be satisfied with their educational experience, and stay in school (Pascarella & Terenzini, 1991)

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