Let's face it, we work in a for profit educational institution. Many of our actions should be based on this premise. It will assist the company in acieving organizational objectives and goals.

Helping our students stay in school, and motivated is every staff member's responsibility. Retention affects finances,employee/student morale, and the overall reputation of the school. Scott Humphrey.

In the adult learning environment, nodding off in class happens occasionally. Before rushing to the teaching style as the culprit, we've found talking to the student about what s/he believes is causing the problem is very helpful. Much of the time we find it's not so much the need to use a different visual aid, but more so, the challenges outside of school that can cause sleep deprivation. Financial difficulties, arguing with spouse/children, caring for a sick child or aging parent, or simply having to work while attending school are common reasons for the inability to remain awake in a classroom environment. I do agree wholeheartedly it is vitally important to "mix it up" and ensure students are engaged in the material presentation whenever possible. But, to really get to the heart of at least some percentage of the root cause, a faculty member or administrator may have to dig deeper to find ways to assist in a grander sense.

Consistency changes attitudes, which changes lives! Each day I meet and greet my students with a smile and a cheery hello or comment! Even the saddest sad-sack can’t help but smile and, whether they realize it or not, adjust their attitude in a positive direction. A positive attitude makes the entire class and day more beneficial for everyone!

We've made the effort to, when possible hire graduates as instructors. This allows the students to put a face to success in our field, it also helps because students know that the instructor has been in the same position as they are (they know the demands of the program). It's actually been refreshing for students to see that grads who have gone on to achieve personal success have the loyalty to this institution and in some, it's re-focused and re-energized their efforts. We've also integrated a graduate panel into our open house schedule of events, it builds excitement for prospective students when they hear stories of success and can speak candidly with people who have gone through the program.

We've integrated Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace heavily into our "community" and I feel it has helped retention and school pride. As students can get updates on events in real time (in their Facebook "News Feeds") they can discuss who's going to which event, as well as what's going on at the school. We don't edit the page (as long as negative comments are on topic) as most students will disagree with a negative comment. Also, by not restricting what is and isn't said about or programs students have said they feel that they're heard and understood. I know this approach won't work for most institutions, but I was hoping to get some opinions on other methods for strengthening our institution's sense of community. If there aren't any suggestions, then what are some opinions on how effective social networking sites are to today's enrollments?

I design the orientation schedule at our Institution, and I would absolutely like to integrate the mentor program into the flow. I feel that by being able to informally talk to current students (like an orientation mixer) it would build excitement for the program. I'm wondering if anyone out there knows of the best form of contact between a mentor and the student? In an informal mentoring setting, I'm trying to avoid the mentor diverting focus from their own studies to assist the new student. Am I over-thinking this issue?

Hey Max Knowledgers, I'd like to hear some opinions on the effectiveness of integrating a self checklist into the entrance exam for prospective students. I feel that the checklist could help the student better understand the program they're applying for. This could also be used by admissions representatives to identify the areas they should address when speaking with prospective students (when used in conjunction with the score on the exam). I believe this approach would also help to boost the confidence of students who are anxious about the exam (reminding them of their initial drive to apply) and to help those who are less serious about the program re-evaluate their priorities. What do you think?

Of all of the content of this segment, the information on blind spots is probably most helpful for me and some of my coworkers/faculty. Both educators and staff can get caught up in not being able to see some of our most challenging (and challenged) students as being able to "make it through" the program. This to me, is where diversity in our staff's experiences and personalities can be a great resource. It is so obvious, sometimes we forget to "bounce" things off one another to obtain a perspective we could not otherwise have imagined, let alone seen for ourselves. Good job for bringing this to light.

I try to use the WIIFM with students,asking,how much more $$$ could you make,by being better the the next guy.Some of us are motivated very differently and money plays HUGE factor in the day to day successes and failures of both instructor and student.

Meeting class of adult ladies first time and acquaintace enters and takes the remaining front row seat. She annouces that her mother died a few days ago, she has no other family or ties in the community and doesn't see reason to complete school. Go ahead and pass out the class syllabus. Tell the grieving student that I am listening to her feelings. Encourage her to share her grief with a mutual friend of her mother's. Assure her that other staff members and myself are here to help her regain her purpose. Make a note to ask our student services coordinator to check on her. Plan to monitor all of the students on their first assignments to get a good start.

accepting and understanding the illusionary sphere we live in can sometime alleviate the amount of stress we are creating for ourselves in response to the environment around us. if we acknowledge its effect we then have a better chance to cope with it in adressing the outcome. the question is, can we really change the outcome

our job is to teach, as teachers we cannot change people, they have to change themselve in sharing knowledge, we act as a guiding light and supporting hand. remember the first time you learned to ride a bicycle,maybe you were successful the first time, maybe you failled down time and time again, or maybe you just gave up. the world is not perfect and natural selection remind us that the universe isn't as forgiving. but what would you have done if you never had the support from that special person. if offering help is the right thing to do, then so is retention and it starts now

I attempt to attend as many graduations as possible, the students really appreciate seeing as many instructors attending and shows our gratitude for all the hard work they have done.

Often help is available: money,gas card, food but the students pride will not allow them to take help. What are some of the best ways to ease the students concerns and bolster pride and gain get them to take the support?

What a devolution! Calling to Career to Job to Necessary evil. Having every student to follow his or her calling might take more than a quarter of study. These second year technical college students simply writ a paragraph about their career goals three years hence. Some express surprisingly high objectives. If they shoot for the moon and hit the clouds, it's better than aiming for the clouds and reaching the second floor.

we have alot of intelligent hearts - most if not all the instructors go out of thier way to help our students stay in school and to be asuccessful person at the end

A smile and a short hello how are you doing will go along way to making a good first impression

I agree we are in the mental health business also we must learn to look for signs that something in not right with our students. mood changes habit changes Sometims the student only needs someone to vent to about the things going on in his or her life and sometimes you might have to refer them to a professional counselor to handle a bigger problem. but as an instructor it is part of you responsibility to know your students

I had an instructor in a high school tech class that followed these procedures and i didnt see it then but when i became an instructor myself i understood why he was so concerned with our well being and how important our success was to him.