The Metrics and Interventions of Retention

Get Down to College Business

In this thought-provoking episode, Sarah Holtan, PhD, sits down with Gill Hunter, PhD, the Assistant Vice-President for Retention and Graduation at Eastern Kentucky University. They delve into the intricacies of student retention and graduation. Discover how using data and interventions reshapes the academic landscape at EKU.

Listen as they discuss the initiatives EKU has put in place to support first-generation students, including the inception of the Gen 1 Conference and the creation of an ad hoc committee. Get a glimpse into the unique strategies employed to prevent student withdrawals and ensure informed decision-making. Learn the importance of early intervention and personalized student support.

You'll also hear about EKU's "Campus Resource Access Flip Book," a strategic tool designed to provide the right resources to the right students at the right time. So, don't miss out on this conversation and gain insights that emphasize the need for colleges to be prepared to meet their students' needs. How is EKU leveraging technology to further aid their retention efforts? Tune in to find out and learn much more!

Episode Highlights:

03:47 - It's a really great example of it's not me, it's we. Because it does take an entire campus pulling in the same direction, a campus-wide commitment to student success and retention to make retention work happen. It can happen in pockets, but you don't get results when it happens in pockets. So, it really is a culture, a mindset, and a commitment to a mission.

14:46 - We make it very hard in higher education to get into classes because we want to make sure that the computer can handle your schedule and get everything right. And we want to make sure that you understand the financial commitment and you're on the hook for that. And so, we want to make it at least as hard to get out of classes as it is to get into classes.

38:46 - All of the change management, change leadership, even crisis management literature says that you have to over communicate, and I think that's the place to start. It just takes a person or a group of people on a campus who aren't going to accept silos that have traditionally defined campus life. We have to have a group that says, "I know I'm in this division or this area of the university, but if retention matters, then we're going to make sure that everyone across campus is informed about retention initiatives, retention progress, whether or not we're meeting goals."

Sarah Holtan, PhD

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Gill Hunter, PhD

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