Main conference registration

Welcome and introductions

Setting the Stage for Retention: Defining a Comprehensive Approach

This opening session will help you understand the core components of a comprehensive approach to retention planning: data, programming, assessment, and buy-in. Faculty will share the steps they took to at their campuses to embrace a comprehensive approach to retention.

Begin at the Beginning: The Role of Admissions in the Comprehensive Plan

Effective retention programming begins before the freshman year. You need to understand the profile of the entering class before you can create programming. During this session, you will review data from the typical admissions application that is important to retention programming, including demographics, academic preparation, financial aid eligibility, and other indicators of student success.

Break

Coaching time

This time will be broken into 10-15 minute coaching groups for each faculty member to meet with similar institutions and hear from them about their current retention plan, initiatives, and challenges to building a comprehensive approach.

Data, Programming, and Goal Setting

Professionals charged with improving retention rates know that data is important, but need guidance on how to understand patterns, tie data to programming goals, and set realistic goals for improvement. This session will help you understand what your data says about your institutional priorities and how you can begin the planning process and involve other stakeholders in the process. You will review several case studies that provide examples of how to get started in isolating your institutional data patterns and begin the goal-setting process for optimal results.

Networking reception (included in registration)

Continental breakfast (included in registration)

Turning Data into Programs

Now that you understand your retention patterns, your current programs, and your goals for improvement, you need to start selecting programming options that will serve your comprehensive plan. During this session, faculty will share examples of new programs they implemented based on their data analysis. You will then work to design retention programs that meet your unique institutional retention goals.

Break

Self-Audit of Programs

This session will help you understand which programs you have in place, which ones are working effectively, and which ones could be improved. You will begin working on a retention road map for your institution and will identify retention priorities based on enrollment goals, student data, attrition factors, and institutional resources.

Lunch (included in registration)

Resource, Outsource, and Budgetary Considerations

Not all institutions have the resources needed to impact specific retention rates. But there are many viable resources available to institutions to assist with both assessment and programming efforts. Before developing your comprehensive plan, you may need to consider the various outsourcing options available to you, including the cost of these services and the potential return on investment.

Crafting Your Plan

During this working session, you will begin to work with your teams to craft an initial comprehensive retention plan. You will receive guided feedback from faculty on the feasibility of your planning models.

Continental breakfast (included in registration)

Knowing How and When to Eliminate Programs

Successful retention programming requires constant monitoring of outcomes and the ability to make ongoing decisions about programs and resources. During this session, you will review techniques for revising and updating programs.

Break

Setting the Stage for Retention

During this final session, you will hear from faculty about the various challenges and pitfalls they faced at their institutions as well as some concluding thoughts.

Final Q&A