I believe that every member of the faculty and all supporting staff members share this role. Everyone has an impact on the adult students decision to enroll, get financed,begin classes, stay in classes, graduate and move on to fulfill thier career asspirations. I worked for a huge resort whos hiring philosophy was attract, hire, retain and enrich. I think that this is a good guidepost for post secondary educators as well! Get them excited, get them in, keep them in and keep them happy!Involvement on campus of a feeling of connection or inclusion has been show to improve retention. We all own it!
Hi Robert,
You are right! The student has to want it bad enough in order to be successful.
Patricia Scales
Hi Tanya,
You are right! We each has our role as it pertains to retention. Everyone must pull their weight in order to have success with retention.
Patricia Scales
Ultimately, the key player in keeping a student enrolled is the student themself. But, all the necessary support systems must be in place efficiently and effectively from Admissions, Financial Aid, Business Servies, Student Services, Career Services along with the program departmental staff and instructors.
From admissions to career services, every part of the school has a huge role in retention. Admissions need to be up front and honest, yet positive and encouraging. The instructors need to listen to their students, make classes doable but challenging and introduce a variety of teaching methods to incorporate various learning styles. Department chairs need to make sure the program information is relevant and that students are aware of the demands of their program so they have made the best decision. Career services needs to be present, reminding students why they are in school...ie...to better their life.
Hi Martha,
I like the idea about the weekly retention meetings. At my institution we do a variety of things to manage retention. We even call students over the weekend who are endanger of being withdrawn or if a red flag appears.
Patricia Scales
Everyone at the University is a key player in keeping students enrolled throughout their programs. Our University provides a counseling service for students experiencing difficulties. Faculty and Student Services conduct weekly retention meetings. Faculty follows up with students who miss class to make sure they have access to the information required to be successful.
I would have to say that everyone plays a role in this. The student must be proactive with their education and learn to be a respectful student to the institution as well as to their selves. They must respect their time as well as the others in the class.
Admissions should always be there for their student and check up on them throughout the program to ensure that they are ok and happy. Motivation is key in education. Some students do not have anyone in their life to keep them going and education can get tiring. Constant motivation is fuel to someones heart to keep on going. It doesn't take much at all. The instructor is not just a teacher, but a coach, mentor, friend and tutor. The instructor must pay attention to all details of their students to ensure that they will progress in the class. It takes a lot of work, but when the student and instructor makes that dynamic connection, the student is successful.
Hi Deborah,
So true! We all play a vital role when it comes to retaining students. It is a challenge each day we face in this industry.
Patricia Scales
I totally agree that "It takes a Village" per say to help round out customer (student) satisfaction. Our motivation as Instructers keeps the students goal in mind with a positive end result. Retention and Goal attainment.
Hi Marie,
I concur! Students must certainly do their part to succeed.
Patricia Scales
Hi Alan,
Students feel important when they can have a say. We must work daily to retain students.
Patricia Scales
I think the number one player in student retention is the student him/herself. One of the biggest influences on the student is the classroom instructor. As an instructor, I have a lot of power to impact the student, cultivate the student's strengths and gifts, and inspire the student to make needed character changes that are getting in the way of the student's progress. I will always meet a student half way. However, it is ultimately up to the student to want to be there and do the hard work.
I believe every person involved plays a huge role in retaining the student. We should all have one goal and that is for the student to feel that they have a voice in decision making in the financial part and in the classroom. We as instructors play one of the biggest roles in self building and educating them.
Hi Kandance,
It certainly is a team project not an individual project, and they key is to try to be as proactive as possible.
Patricia Scales
i agree, it is a team effort that includes staff and the students as well. there are a varity of activities that can be used to engage the student to keep them motivated as well.
Hi Oscar,
You are on point! It is certainly a joint effort to work retention.
Patricia Scales
Hello Everyone,
I agree with the majority of the comments that have been made. It is a collective effort in the battle of student retention. All that have contact with the student should play a role. Key players would include the istructor, student mentors, student services, and the admissions rep.(where it all began). I have seen the impact that this group of people can have on the retention of a student. The amount of time and focus from the key players usually depends on the need/s of the student. Teamwork and communication between the key players and the student are key.
Hi Ripsime,
How sad, this student had to drop out due to an incomplete file after so long. You are right, we have to do our jobs to help our students along the way. It sounds like someone may have dropped the ball.
Patricia Scales
Hi Heidi,
I agree the atmosphere makes a big difference. We as staff/facutly should produce an atmosphere that is welcoming, warm, caring, friendly, and very supportive.
Patricia Scales
