Summer Retreat: International Student

Retention

Agenda• Welcome & introductions – Clayton Smith• What we know about the retention of 1st year

international students – Tanya Demjanenko• Panel: Review of successful international

student retention initiatives – Enrique Chacon, Edwin Tam, Stacey Marion, Richard Lewis

• Lunch• Using the “strengths-based” approach to

impact the success of first-year international students – Ken Hart

Agenda (Cont’d)• Table Talk: What can the University do to

impact the success of first year international students? - Everyone

• Wrap-up – Clayton Smith

INTRODUCTIONS

A Way of Proceeding• “Words make worlds”• Each person’s contribution is essential• After lunch, lets sit with a different group

Solving the International Student Retention Puzzle

2010-11 Strategic Priorities GrantPurpose: To identify the factors that contribute to attrition of

international students to determine what we might do to improve the success and persistence of international students academically, through support initiatives and in our student recruitment program

To develop a predictive model to identify international students who are likely leavers so that our limited resources can be effectively deployed to improve the persistence of individual international students

Solving the International Student Retention Puzzle

Proposed Research Design:

1.Quantitative data analysis using data in existing data sources (e.g., SIS, ELIP, Residence)

2.Full-academic year cohort qualitative study using both undergraduate and graduate students

Solving the International Student Retention Puzzle

Major Outcome:

Development of an action plan to improve international student success and persistence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels

Solving the International Student Retention Puzzle

Completed Activities:

1.Formed a Working Group (Faculty representatives, student representatives, staff representatives, VPSI) to oversee the grant

2.Hired a Graduate Research Assistant: Tanya Demjanenko

Let’s Retreat!