As student retention rates continue to lag, we’re hearing from schools around the country anxious to maximize their retention efforts. Administrators, staff and faculty members are collaborating to seek solutions to reduce attrition rates, but too many of these new efforts leave out a key constituency―the students themselves.
In response, we will host a webinar titled Empowering Students: A Key to Retention Success, the latest in EducationDynamics’ National Dialog on Student Retention series. Participants will hear expert advice from preeminent student success thought leader and international consultant Dr. Skip Downing. Dr. Downing will share his On Course approach to student success and answer your questions about the most effective methods for incorporating students into retention efforts.
Other presenters include Andrea Spratt, Learning Resource Center Director at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Mark McBride, College Success Program Coordinator at Brevard Community College, both of whom have been instrumental in implementing successful programs designed to reach at-risk students.
At the University of Maryland, an On Course-based program dubbed “Learning Resource Center 101” resulted in a 72 percent retention rate among at-risk students and an additional $5 million in revenue to the university during the five years since the program began. At Brevard Community College, students who participated in a “Success Strategies for College and Life” class based on On Course principles were 20 percent more likely than non-participants to return to school the following academic year and six percent more likely to graduate after four years.
To be held on November 19, 2009 from 1 to 2 p.m. EDT, registration for this complimentary webinar is now available at http://www.educationdynamics.com/ndsrwebinar-dr-downing/.
I encourage you to submit your comments or questions regarding this webinar topic.
-Steven R. Isaac
CEO, EducationDynamics