Student Success, Retention, and Graduation: Definitions, Theories ...

Noel-Levitz Retention CodificationsStudent Success, Retention, and Graduation:Definitions, Theories, Practices, Patterns, and TrendsNovember 2008Page 13community are critical to ensure a conducive environment exists that fosters studentsuccess.Quality Service. A keen attention towards creating and maintaining a culture that isbuilt around quality service initiatives that lessen student run-around and focus onmeeting the needs and demands of diverse student populations. This is an ongoinginitiative that focuses on all staff and faculty and maximizes uses of technology andintrapersonal skills to help build relationships, provide answers to questions, and focuson improved outcomes.Adult learning strategies. Adult learners, by their nature, fall into many risk categoriesfor student attrition. Adult learners tend to be transfer students, many were notsuccessful in previous college experiences, most work more than 20 hours per week(usually 40 or more) off-campus, and they are almost exclusively commuter students.Traditional strategies for student retention are not easily applicable to adult learners;however, with some revision of assumptions retention strategies can be developed topromote adult learner success. Campuses must pay individual attention to thedemographics and economic conditions of their adult population customizing strategiesthat fit the individual campus.Exit interviews. Exit interviews conducted in a way in which the institution isperceived as being helpful and supportive rather than just running a student throughunnecessary hoops, may create an environment for students to exit gracefully. Welltrained staff who are working one on one with students to help them leave are muchmore likely to find out the real issues related to the departure. As well, students wholeave in good standing can learn that they are welcome to return to the institutionshould the opportunity present itself.Re-entry interviews. As students re-enter an institution, a designated person(s) shouldmeet individually with the student to discuss their reasons for returning to theinstitution, help students create goals, and map out a completion plan by selectingcourses in the appropriate sequence that will move the student back towards timelycompletion.Recruit back. Strategies that recruit a student back to the institution who has left ingood standing. This strategy is particularly valuable when reaching out to students whohave completed 90 or more hours in their academic career and can complete within twoto three terms.Technology. A major vehicle of connecting students to an institution through therecruitment process is using a wide variety of technology tools that engage students andallow them to opt in and out of conversation as they desire. Campuses need to provideintranet type tools that provide students with campus information, calendars,networking tools, and support services. Campuses need to ensure faculty maximizetechnological learning tools to engage students both in and out of the classroom andprovide accurate and updated information on campus classroom technological sites.