1. Improving Student Success Rates: Eliminating Performance Gaps
Thomas E. Miller, Ed.D
University of South Florida

2. FTIC Retention Rate Improvement

3. Six-Year Graduation Rate Improvement

4. Six-Year Graduation Rate: Pell & Non-Pell

5. Six-Year Graduation Rate: Gender

6. Six-Year Graduation Rate: Ethnicity & Race

7. Organizational Chart

8. Persistence Committee
Meets weekly
Accesses predictive analytics data powered by Civitas Learning
Focuses on two cohorts: current first year students and previous year’s first year students
Weekly reports identify students who might need extra support
Uses case management approach to offer service or support to those students who can benefit
Review status of a third cohort – those who are enrolled and may graduate in their sixth year

9. Systemic Solutions
Students studying abroad (now enrolled in a one-credit internship course)
Students changing their home campus (now required to consult with an academic advisor)
Academic probation review by advocates
Alternative calendar courses (starting as late as the 10th week) provide an option to students
Architecture degree challenge and solution (receive undergrad degree before grad degree)

10. Financial Education Program
Provide direct support and problem solving for students who are cancelled from class for non-payment
Students struggling with finances can get short-term aid to permit continued enrollment and must receive financial counseling
Fall 2018: Support given to 18 students with a total expenditure of $17,885

11. First Year Retention Model
Using pre-matriculation data predicts chance of persistence by first-year students to the end of the sophomore year
Three-pronged plan of support service
Academic Foundations course instructors
Resident advisors
Academic advisors
Model demonstrated to predict accurately
The intervention in the previous year that was most effective was the resident advisors

12. Data Collection on the Male Student Experience
Existing
They use services and seek help at a lower rate than women.
They do not tend to study in groups, nor do they engage in other positive learning activities (BCSSE).
They are disproportionally active in computer gaming (BullSync).
They may be more apt than women to experience mental health difficulties.
Planned
Frequency distributions of retention and grad rates
Cross tabs by gender, race/ethnicity, Pell, college
Predictive models

13. Offered support and services to students who requested a transcript to be sent to another college.

14. Offered training to professional and student staff on motivational interviewing to support the task of problem solving with students in difficulty

15. Don’t Stop, Don’t Drop Foundation Account
Provided financial support to students with one semester to go to finish degree
15 students assisted with a total expenditure of $23,276

16. Staffing/Programmatic Support Solutions
Academic Advocates
Ombudsman
Mobilizing the Dream Initiative
New Student Connections outreach based upon BCSSE responses
Student Outreach & Support: SOCAT, campus food pantry
Mental Health Literacy initiative
Expanded LLCs, residential curriculum
Expanded hours in the Counseling Center
Significant career component in first-year Academic Foundations course
Expanded internship opportunities both on and off campus

17. Next Steps
Keep going! Future targets 93% retention rate and 72% grad rate
Support transfer students
GPA Predictor, Four- and Six-Year Grad Predictors
Support students who matriculate at alternate periods
Solve male problem
Apply analytics tool for courses

18. Questions?

19. Thank you!
Tom Miller