Living among THEM: What we have learned about retention and assessment Dr. Ann Richards Mr. Brian Knight Ms. Grace Atebe West Virginia University A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Goals of the Presentation Understand the history and impact of changing student needs on retention programming and assessment models Understand how the mind frame of millennials impacts retention programming and assessment models Understand specific details, logistics and strategies in developing and implementing retention and assessment programs Reflect on their universities retention and assessment programs Learn and discuss ideas and successful approaches for integrating our experiences and data into their current retention and assessment programs A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

We know 27.5% of people 25 or older hold bachelors degrees _box_head_nbr=R1502&-ds_name=ACS_2007_1YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&- format=US-30&-mt_name=ACS_2007_1YR_G00_R1502_US30&-CONTEXT=grt A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Retention Rate (nces.ed.gov & IPEDS) A measure of the rate at which students persist in their educational program at an institution, expressed as a percentage Four Year Institutions Percentage of first-time bachelors degree seeking undergraduates that enroll in two subsequent fall semesters A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Alarming Statistic Recent analyses of data based on high school seniors in 1972, 1982, and 1992 suggest that U.S. students’ access to college has increased over the last three decades, but rates of completion have not changed (Barton 2002; Adelman 2004) r19.asp r19.asp A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

So why, do we keep developing retention programs? A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Enrollment Projections Undergraduate enrollment at 4-year institutions increased from 7.2 to 9.0 million (25 percent) from 2000 to 2007 and is expected to reach 10.0 million students in Undergraduate enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions increased from 7.4 million in 1970 to 13.2 million in 2000 and to 15.6 million in According to projections, enrollment in undergraduate institutions is expected to reach 17.5 million in A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Completion Data Approximately 57 percent of full-time, first-time bachelor’s or equivalent degree- seekers attending 4-year institutions completed a bachelor’s or equivalent degree at the institution where they began their studies within 6 years html A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

What Impacts Retention? A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

What should we consider when designing retention programs? What do we represent? What are our goals? Who do we serve? What strengths and challenges does our population bring? A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

So should retention be Global or Institution Specific? A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

What characteristics are Global or Institution Specific? A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Millennials ( ) Characteristics/Core Traits (Strauss & Howe) Special Sheltered Confident Team-oriented Conventional Pressured Achieving A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Are Millennials the only population we are serving? No, but they are the majority. A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Age Statistics Millennials will be entering our institutions until % of all students enrolled in Title IV institutions in fall 2007 were 18- to 24-year- olds attending public 4-year institutions html html A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Changing Communication and Engagement Facebook Linked In Twitter You Tube Vanderbuilt The Commons A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Programming Look at what we do. A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

What we have learned: The Hard Way! A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Team Approach Dr. Ann Richards Academic Programming Social Programming Past advising experience Mr. Brian Knight Support for academic programming Support for social programming Ms. Grace Atebe Operations Discipline Supervisor of RAs Resident Assistants A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Things we do: Work as a team Talk to the students Make the learning interactive Remember where they come from Assist them in learning where you come from Always keep a presence A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

How we assess? Talk to students Look at participation trends Look at risk factors against participation Monitor progress (mid-term grades) Adapt programming to meet changing student population Monitor data continually A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Look at Our SUCCESS A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009

Any questions or comments please A. M. Richards, B. F. Knight, & G. Atebe, June 12, 2009