An activity that our school has just started that has had great success is putting a podium in the student common area where different representatives from different administration deptment stay and answer students question during their breaks. It has opened a informal line of communication for our students to address issues or just have simple questions answered without having to make appointments.
I always encourage our students to get involved with all the activities. Particulary the students that come to NTI to get a job in racing. At any one of the volunteering events we have they could meet thier future employer or make a contact that will help them get a job after graduation.
Yes, stay focused. Attention to retention, equals retention.
Dr. B
First thing that comes to mind is don't let up. Keep doing what we're doing. Secondly, I believe we must be very vigilant in observing our students. We should continue to add as many activities as possible. Maybe car shows, bike shows, race night at local tracks, etc.
Wow, you have many good programs in place. So, what do you think you can do to improve retention just 1 %?
Dr. B
Thinking about your request made me think about just how many programs we have in place. Wow! They really add up. We have student drag racing events, bowling challenges, go cart challenge racing against the staff, adopt-a-highway campaigns, blood drives, Victory Junction volunteers, NASCAR day where they will get the chance at the staff on the dunk tank, NFL jersey days, motortsports volunteers, Ushers for the big race events, CAB, Student Link, Student mentoring programs, basketball challenge, we have done autocrosses, paintball tournaments and I'm sure I'm leaving out a few more. We have employees that are responsible for setting up these events but it is all of our responsibilities to support these events whenever possible.
Our campus has many student programs that help keep the students involved. By being more involved in the campus and community student are more connected to the school and each other.
We do a number of fundraisers through our campus. We have developed a special events team, your have to earn your way onto this team, keeps students intrest and active. It also allows student to work together with others that may not have known each other before.
Good. All of this helps students to be engaged and to form relationships with faculty and other students. Another key to retention.
Dr. B
Raising money for the local food bank, contests between programs, participating in community causes, taking students on field trips.
Because my campus is a virtual one it presents unique problems and opportunities in regards to this question. Many of the activities that would be possible in a brick and mortar environment is not feasible online. Online forums could be an outlet for students to interact. The problem would be on how to get students to participate in such forums.
And, don't forget to talk about employability factors. Why? Keep the student's vision alive.
Dr. B
These are items that we are currently doing at my campus -
• Quarterly Dean’s List
• Quarterly President List
• Student Leadership Council – this involve faculty members and students so student concern may be brought to the management team.
• President Advisory Committee – industry professionals meet quarterly to address current industry needs compared to performance of our students
• Volunteer Events – I personally chair and organize 10 events a year primarily with Share Our Strength and the Atlanta Community Food Bank – students and faculty participate and look forward to these events
• Taste of Atlanta
• Numerous Clubs focused on specific aspects of the industry – Dine Out Club, Slow Food Club, Baking & Pastry Club, French Club and many more….
• Advisor Program
• Tutoring Program
• Career Fairs
• Master Workshops – by industry professionals & instructors
• Guest Speakers in classrooms
Encourage faculty to develop activities in the classroom that would help students bond with each other and the instructor. These would be ongoing activities weaving through all academic time frames.
Using student services, the registrar and the deans to communicate each quarter with all new students on a variety of topics including grading procedures, scheduling, academic probation, etc.
Advocate and support student organizations.
Celebrate student successes. Have a party for those on the Dean's list. Send letters of congratulation to students who have been removed from academic probation. Have a spectacular graduation ceremony. Celebrate once a quarter with a "Student Appreciation Day" with refreshments or pizza, etc.
The key is to form a relationship. A relationship equals trust. Sounds like you are encouraging relationships. Suggest and encourage contact through the second term. Research shows drops will occur during the first 2-3 terms.
Dr. Banks
1. Student reaching out to other students -
One of our student organizations calls all active students the Saturday prior to the start of a new quarter reminding students of the Monday beginning to a new quarter.
2. Instructor reaching out to students -
Group activities the first week of classes are designed to encourage bonding of students in the classroom. Often phone nunmbers or emails are exchanged
3. Administration reaching out to students -
President of college and Dean meet with first quarter students checking in to see if expectations are met allowing students to express positive and negative experiences.
Involving students to increase their vested interest in every aspect of school life gives them a sense of place.They will develop relationships that will last past college
Since I work in the online environment, this is more difficult a task than at physical campuses. However, having said that, each class can incorporate activities for online students that can develop or increase the sense of community built there. Additionally, publishing quarterly student Newsletters that include articles about students who made the Dean's list or achieved perfect attendance serves to grant recognition to those students. Also, including tips for addressing and overcoming common online student challenges or even just life challenges can help.
Yes, a good list. So, tell us more about your mentoring process? What do you think... is mentoring a core process for retention?
Dr. B
Here is my list.
Peer Tutoring
Peer Mentoring
Student Associations
Faculty Developments that improve teaching methods
Student activities such as Student Appreciation (cookout, order pizza, games, etc).
