Retention Strategies with Diverse Populations Lory-Ann Varela Colorado State University

Retention is a 4, 5, and 6 Year Venture ▪ Benefits of a diverse campus population ▪ Rich academic environment ▪ Critical development ▪ Resources devoted to recruiting students ▪ Cost of attrition ▪ Lost of job mobility ▪ Retention frameworks ▪ Astin’s Student Involvement Theory ▪ Tinto’s Student Departure Theory

Attrition Nationwide: 2010 ACT Report

Discussion Question ▪ What are the diverse student populations you work with?

Our Diverse Populations ▪ Most the research is on racially and ethnically diverse populations ▪ Building research on first generation in college students ▪ Expanding to encompass distant learners. ▪ More attention needed to English as a second language students, adult learners, Veterans, and students with disabilities ▪ Ones to add?

6

What Works in Student Retention? ▪ Institutions far more likely to attribute attrition to student characteristics than to institutional characteristics ▪ Respondents all reported retention practices responsible for the greatest contribution to retention fell into three main categories: 1) First-year programs 2) Academic advising 3) Learning support Primary findings from ACT 4 th National Study (2010)

Major Retention Practices When asked to identify the three campus retention practices that had the greatest impact on student retention, all respondents identified at least one of the following: ▪ First-year seminar/university 101 for credit ▪ Tutoring program ▪ Advising interventions with selected student populations ▪ Mandated course placement testing program ▪ Comprehensive learning assistance center/lab

Discussion Question ▪ What makes our students leave prematurely?

Factors Impacting Persistence ▪ Academic preparation ▪ Financial concerns ▪ Connections ▪ Campus ▪ Major ▪ Major alignment ▪ Resources available ▪ Family demands Considering: ▪ Drop-out ▪ Stop out ▪ Transfer out Others?

Discussion Question ▪ What does your institution do to retain diverse students?

Nationwide Strategies ▪ Recruitment ▪ Outreach including early admit and visit days ▪ Bridge programs for academic and resource skill building ▪ Integrative activities that go deeper ▪ Retention ▪ Diversity awareness and multicultural programs ▪ Institutional support in strategic goals and quality enhancement plans ▪ Academic support programs Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Student Affairs Division reviewed nearly a thousand sites and activities

Creating Synergy ▪ Academic skill support programs and early alert systems ▪ Intentional social capital/resource transfer interventions ▪ Involvement of upper class students with initiatives ▪ Blending high support with high challenge ▪ Integration of academic and social in a holistic approach ▪ Long-term alliance partnerships Harper, S.R. & Quaye, S.J. (Eds.) (2009). Student Engagement in Higher Education: Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Approaches for Diverse Populations.

Creating Synergy ▪ Wide scope of multi/intercultural competency programs ▪ Dedicating institutional resources ▪ Presence of diverse faculty and staff at all levels ▪ Assessment of what is working ▪ Measuring economic impact of strategies

Discussion Questions ▪ What is one idea or initiative you would like to see happen?

Final Thoughts ▪ It’s everyone’s job. ▪ Questions? ▪ Thank you!