Total Team Effort - The Village
Retention must start from the begining with every staff member on board throughout the student completion. Engaging, encouraging and inspiring them past the graduation.
"It takes a village to raise a child", this rings true and loud in the education industry, especially in regards to retention.
What do you think?
I totally agree that it takes everyone involvement for the success of the student. It can't be viewed that once the student is in class, it is now up to the academic staff to keep them in school. Everyone on campus must take some ownership in the student success
I couldn't agree more. I have worked for some for-profit schools that only cared about the bottom line: making a profit. Whether or not the student was given a good education was irrelevant. I don't work like that!
I agree. It takes all departments working towards the same goals with good communication to bridge the transitions from admissions, to class, to graduate and then employment.
Kimberly,
Communications across all departments is key creating a school wide team.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I believe that the entire team must be on board with ALL the teams, not just their own. This is the most common problem I see. Each department creates their team and works for the success of just their team, not for the student, nor for the impacted success of other departments.
Once a student has completed a department's responsibility, the buck is passed and their goal is written down as a success. Meanwhile, through the rest of the process, the students feels passed around, and do not get the total picture. This causes frustration and can lead to higher drop status among students.
It is essential that each department work for the total success of the student, which means working with and for the other departments as well.
John,
Yes, while there should be a "hand-off" to Education the Admissions rep is the first connection to the school for the student.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I agree of course. I don't work in admissions, but rather in the Registrar's office. I see the value in a thorough Admissions process, and when I counsel Admission Reps, I always emphasize not only can they make a big difference in student retention when they first meet the student and throughout that process, but also once the student is enrolled and progressing through their program. To encourage, engage and help students in all phases of their educational program helps with retention, John E
Roy,
And departments need to share what they learn about students. This helps the village work together.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I agree with this completely. I work in Student Services, and there are so many factors that can discourage students while they are in school, both from the inside and outside. It is a responsibility of all staff to make the student feel welcome and as if they are able to receive the best possible education at the institution. As long as we do our part as staff, we can help each student to go on even through the tough times outside of school.
Ashley,
Quite often someone has a piece of information that could have aided in helping to keep a student. Information that Admissions, Financial Aid, etc. have, when put together, paints the whole picture. Thank you for your post.
Dr. Ron Hansen
I agree completely. I work in Student Support and even if a student makes it through admissions, if there is not good communication between all departments, helping the student identify things they need to work on versus things they are already prepared for or good at can be a challenge. All the effort and work can be lost if the information gathered by Admissions is not passed along to instructors and/or support staff.
Dee,
Helping the prospective student make an informed choice is a big help to setting up proper expectations. This leads to student success and retention. Meeting an instructor they may have later on is a big help to the Admissions effort.
Dr. Ron Hansen
I agree. I'm an adjunct instructor at my facility, only teaching for 3 quarters. I teach several classes for entry level students. This quarter I have been making an extra effort to greet potential students when they are given the tour of the school and tell them who I am. I end with something like I hope to see you again if you decide to enroll here. The admissions people who give the tour often will stop and introduce me now that they know I'm receptive to it so I can at least greet them. At least if they decide to enroll they'll know one face and maybe a name other than the admissions team. If there's no time to chat for whatever reason I at least say hello.
I agree that faculty plays a large role in student engagement. Does anyone work in the online world where monitoring a large amount of instructors can be timely? What are some best practices to get those that are not on campus frequently to own their role in retention?
Yes retention must start from the beginning with every staff member to keep student engaged in the learning process and interested in the fiel they have chosen.
I think you are absolutely right. It has to be a team effort from all staff, to have a positive outcome for students.
I agree but the village elders must keep the admissions in line and make the education the priority not sales. Without co-operation between sections of this business there is kayos
I agree and our campus has invested time and money in training our faculty in teaching skills and methods to keep our students engaged. Now the trick is having them use the them. One of my daily duties is to visit the classrooms everyday and observe the instructor and noting if any of the teaching acitivies are being used. Still it is difficult to keep students when personal barriers interrupt their education.
True admissions sets the tone, but I too believe that it takes a TOTAL TEAM EFFORT for this to work. Instructors play a key role in retention by the dymanics of the classroom.
