Presented by Dr. Jim Black President & CEO of SEM works Retaining Students: The Power of Persuasion

2 Key Factors Retention Impact Self-awareness Understanding Students Influencing Students Building Trust What % of retention impact is person vs. program related?

3 Self-Awareness: Retention Advocates Respectful Coach/Mentor Developmental & Prescriptive Honest

Who Are Your #1 Retention Advocates Faculty

5 Understanding Student Persistence and Attrition Factors Motivators Risk Factors Barriers Non-cognitive Variables Institutional Loyalty Educational, Career, and Life Goals Commitment Level Success Behaviors

6 Student Backgrounds Understanding Student Persistence and Attrition Factors Attitudes Academic Preparation Physical, Emotional, and Social Attributes Culture Values Behaviors

7 Influencing Students Personal Influence Institutional Influence External Influence Program Influence

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Build trust by… Providing accurate information Demonstrating competency Displaying empathy Looking out for their best interest Delivering on promises Treating them as individuals Listening Adding value to their experience

Dimensions of Student Retention Work, Life, School Balance Academic Prepara- tion Academic Ability Learner Habits College Satisfac- tion Program Satisfac- tion Student Engage- ment Coping Skills Personal Finances Intellectual Social Emotional Physical Spiritual Financial

Generic Retention Strategies Segment Targeted Retention Strategies Customized Retention Strategies Retention Strategy Impact

Fundamentals of Student Retention

13 Appreciative Inquiry Identify the Student’s Passion Define Goals Aligned with the Student’s Passion Recognize Exisitng Strengths Associated with Goals Build on Strengths Fix a Problem Build on Strengths

14 Meet Terricita Strong Work Ethic Creative Interpersonal Skills Goal-Oriented Out of the Box Thinking

15 Plan for what would works well The 4-D Cycle of Apprecative Inquiry Discover Identify and appreciate what is working well Delivery Dream Design Implementing the designed plan Envisioning what could work well in the future

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17 Wants Happiness Achievement Sense of Belonging Entitlement Hard Work Pays Off Academically Capable Beliefs Actions Study Habits Commitment to Tasks Accept Responsibility Values Career Family Education Money Perserverance Resilience Will to Succeed Overcome Obstacles Seek Help The Power of Persuasion

18 Decisions to Leave or Stay Consious vs. Unconsious Logic Emotion Feelings Priming Social Proof Authority Scarcity Consistency Decision Criteria

19 Priming effects refer to the tendency for recent experiences and ideas to come to mind easily and influence the interpretation of new information. 01 Priming Effects The use of priming has been shown to impact behavior, achievement, and performance. 02 The use of positive, reaffirming words is a common priming technique. 03

20 Individuals have a psychological tendency to observe and accept as correct the actions of others. 01 Social Proof Social proof refers to social evidence used to choose and justify decisions. 02 Social proof is most powerful when observing actions of people just like us. 03 Positive, credible examples of social proof can influence student persistence. 04

21 People are more susceptible to being influenced by those who experts or authority figures. 01 Authority The principle of authority is reinforced through deeply engrained social learning over an individual’s lifetime. 02 Credible authority sources include personal experiences, research, student success stories, stats, etc. 03

22 Scarcity is a psychological reflex to notice and often respond to scant resources (e.g., time, money, institutional supports) or opportunities. 01 Scarcity Scarcity is a survival instinct—leading to a flight or fight response. 02 Human beings tend to have an inverse perception of availability and desirability. 03 The perception of scarcity promotes immediate action. 04

23 Consistency is fueled by the innate need for affilations and social and Intellectual gains and/or avoiding losses. 01 Consistency Student persistence decisions are adversely impacted by social exclusion and academic failure. 02 Conversely, consistency of personal and intellectual strengths support student persistence. 03 Consistency = cognitive dissonance or affirmation. 04

24 Strength Discovery APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY Priming Authority Consistency Social Proof PERSUATION THEORY Dream What Could Be Priming Social Proof Scarcity Consistency Design a Success Plan Authority Priming Consistency Social Proof Delivery of the Plan Authority Consistency Social Proof Scarcity Mentoring Authority Consistency Social Proof Priming Integrating Appreciative Inquiry and the Art of Persuasion

Practical Retention Application Prevention Intervention Recovery Discover  Strengths-based Assessment  Goal Setting  Career Counseling  Strengths-based Advising  Early Identification  Attrition Causation Assessment  Revisit Strengths-based Assessment and Goals Dream  Goal-based Milestones  Student Vision Statement  Career Planning  Connect Academic Requirements with Goals and Vision  Early Intervention  Strengths-based Supports Design  Student Life Map  Student Success Plan  Academic Plan  Revisit Student Success Plan  Review the Recovery Policy  Design a Recovery Plan Deliver  Mentoring Sessions  Goals and Milestones Progress Checks  Determine if the Student Engaged in the Intervention  Determine the Impact of the Intervention  Mentoring Sessions  Academic Recovery Program  Goals and Milestones Progress Checks  Mentoring Sessions

An Integrated Student Success Model

27 Q&A