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Retention Strategies with Diverse Populations Lory-Ann Varela Colorado State University loryannvarela@gmail.com
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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
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Attrition Nationwide: 2010 ACT Report
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Discussion Question ▪ What are the diverse student populations you work with?
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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?
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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)
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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
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Discussion Question ▪ What makes our students leave prematurely?
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Factors Impacting Persistence ▪ Academic preparation ▪ Financial concerns ▪ Connections ▪ Campus ▪ Major ▪ Major alignment ▪ Resources available ▪ Family demands Considering: ▪ Drop-out ▪ Stop out ▪ Transfer out Others?
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Discussion Question ▪ What does your institution do to retain diverse students?
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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
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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.
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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
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Discussion Questions ▪ What is one idea or initiative you would like to see happen?
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Final Thoughts ▪ It’s everyone’s job. ▪ Questions? ▪ Thank you!
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