Engaging At-Risk Students Through Both Reactive and Proactive MeansKimberly Knowles DeRoche

Retention and Matriculation Advisor

McLaren College of Business

Objectives

Describe proactive and reactive programs created by the USF undergraduate program to increase student retention

Provide a blueprint for reducing attrition on your campus

Discuss as a group how you are currently retaining undergraduates – and how you can develop new programs and resources

An Analogy…

How can we save students from “falling away” from our institutions?

How can we “build a solid foundation” and “erect barriers” before it is too late?

Multiple Intervention Points

Lay a Solid Foundation

Repair the Cracks / Build Barriers

Reverse the Damage (If You Can!)

Multiple Intervention PointsLay a Solid Foundation

Freshman Launch Program Seminar / Professional Development Workshop

Brown Bag Lunch Series Time Management Stress Management Exploring Majors Taking Classes Outside

Multiple Intervention PointsLay a Solid Foundation

Target At-Risk Populations:

Athletes

ROTC

Transfers

ESL / International??

Multiple Intervention Points Repair the Cracks / Build

Barriers Early Alert Program Official Form (Hard Copy or Word / PDF) Email Alerts from Faculty Outreach Emails and Phone Calls

Late Withdrawal Policy Required Meeting w/ Advisor Request to Drop Survey

Multiple Intervention Points Reverse the Damage (If You

Can!) STAR Program (Versions A / B) First-time / Continued Probation

Academic Success Self-Assessment Action Plan for Success Curriculum Review Workshop 4 Year Plan Worksheet Advisor Conference Academic Progress Reports Utilize Resources on Campus!

Multiple Intervention Points Reverse the Damage (If You

Can!) STAR Program (Version C) Re-admitted Students

Contract – Conditions for Re-admittance 3 Advisor Conferences 2 Sets of Progress Reports Required Use of Specific Resources

A Blueprint for Reducing Attrition

Hire a Dedicated Retention Advisor

Build Relationships with Faculty

Early Alert Referrals

Extra Credit for Workshops

Adjust Programs Along the Way

Develop an Online Presence

Facebook, Blackboard, etc.

A Blueprint for Reducing Attrition Partner w/ Key Support Resources

Dean of Students Counseling Center Learning & Writing Center Student Disability Services Career Services Registrar / Financial Aid Equivalent Offices in Other Colleges (e.g. A&S) Athletics ESL / International Student Services

Key Questions to Address Where Do You Start?

Approach from Both Sides (Proactive / Reactive)

How Much Should You Intervene? Retroactive Withdrawals Incompletes / Grade Changes

When Do You Let Go? Progress Towards Graduation Readiness / Motivation for College Fit w/ Overall Institution

Discuss (3-5 min):

Which retention programs have been most impactful on your campus?

How can you develop new intervention points on your campus?

What resources will you need in order to do that?

Questions?