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

2. 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

3. Attrition Nationwide: 2010 ACT Report

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

5. 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?

9. 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:
First-year programs
Academic advising
Learning support
Primary findings from ACT 4th National Study (2010)

10. 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

11. Discussion Question
What makes our students leave prematurely?

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

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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

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

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