Retention Workshop June 2013 - Summary
Retention Workshop Brief
At the Jenzabar and Carroll University Retention Workshop we covered a variety of topics all connected to the goal of increasing student success. A brief summary and important takeaways from each of the six workshop sessions follows.
Session 1: Introduction
Statistics, Trends, & Student Success at Carroll University
Every person, policy, and program at an institution can cause a student to leave but at the end of the day students choose to stay because of the connections they make. Carroll’s laudable end goal of seeing that “every student experience is positive or has perceived meaning” has been sharpened over the last several years to create the STAY program which is centralized in its approach to increasing student success. The STAY program (Right Student, Right Time, Right Attention, and Right Yield) takes both a interpersonal and quantitative approach – seeking to meet students where they are at during particular points in the year.
Takeaways
1. Face to face interventions using the principles of good coaching have been essential to Carroll’s successful program.
2. The process of improving student success programming is one that takes a great deal of public relations work. Whether assuring the campus that new programming will not create more work, actively breaking down silos, or gaining the trust of students, student success professionals have their work cut out for them. Carroll recommends approaching faculty with the question, “How can we help you retain your students?”
3. The most effective methods for getting a hold of students to get them in the office are text messages and positive, non-threatening emails with clear subject lines that emphasize your desire to help the student.
Session 2: Identifying Students at Risk
Role of Modeling & Prediction
At any institution there are three types of students: those who will stay no matter what, those who might stay provided support, and those who will leave no matter what.
At the Jenzabar and Carroll University Retention Workshop we covered a variety of topics all connected to the goal of increasing student success. A brief summary and important takeaways from each of the six workshop sessions follows.
Session 1: Introduction
Statistics, Trends, & Student Success at Carroll University
Every person, policy, and program at an institution can cause a student to leave but at the end of the day students choose to stay because of the connections they make. Carroll’s laudable end goal of seeing that “every student experience is positive or has perceived meaning” has been sharpened over the last several years to create the STAY program which is centralized in its approach to increasing student success. The STAY program (Right Student, Right Time, Right Attention, and Right Yield) takes both a interpersonal and quantitative approach – seeking to meet students where they are at during particular points in the year.
Takeaways
1. Face to face interventions using the principles of good coaching have been essential to Carroll’s successful program.
2. The process of improving student success programming is one that takes a great deal of public relations work. Whether assuring the campus that new programming will not create more work, actively breaking down silos, or gaining the trust of students, student success professionals have their work cut out for them. Carroll recommends approaching faculty with the question, “How can we help you retain your students?”
3. The most effective methods for getting a hold of students to get them in the office are text messages and positive, non-threatening emails with clear subject lines that emphasize your desire to help the student.
Session 2: Identifying Students at Risk
Role of Modeling & Prediction
At any institution there are three types of students: those who will stay no matter what, those who might stay provided support, and those who will leave no matter what.