Mentoring Students
Orientation and Mentoring a student are a great way to help a student. This gives them more self confidence.
John,
Thank you for your post. Yes, retention is ongoing. It is never "problem solved".
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Dr. Hansen,
It is a bit too early to tell for sure, but yes, our retention percentage of student population is getting better, we are also seeing a drop in student's who are on Satisfactory Academic Progress, and our student based surveys seem to indicate that there is a higher level of satisfaction overall. That being said, retention is very much an on-going process.
John E
John,
Has there been a quantitative improvement in retention due to the mentoring? Placement? Student satisfaction?
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
At our campus we have both "formal" mentors, as well as informal mentors. This does help with retention. Our "formal"mentors are faculty that are assigned as part of their duties to interact with students, and to reach out to those that seem to be struggling with attendance for example. Our informal mentors are usually those facult and students that form bonds as a result of a positive interaction with a specific student. John E
Kay,
While they may say different students that consider leaving a school have most likely not made string connections with instructors.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Yes, instructors spend more time with the students, know more about them, and are extremely effective in retaining students.
Yes, that is what it said. However, mentors need to want to do it and have a true desire to retain students. All employees of an instution have a responsibility to assist students.
Edwin,
I would suggest that the time to do this be built into the program. Students establishing connections with the school and their classmates is more important then talking heads giving information.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I like to (with time permiting) brake the class into small groups the first hour of orientation and play a get to know you game. I ask questions such as; Who in the group is from Florida?, Who in the the group is from the farthest place?, Who rides this or that?, What courses are you scheduled for?.... It helps brake the ice, and enables the students and staff establish common ground.
robin,
The faculty - student connection is a great influence for student success. Faculty as mentors would definitely benefit the students.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Not only does it help the student build self confidence but by including faculty with student mentoring gives the student a sense of belonging or ownership of their program.
