How Institutions are Addressing Common Pain Points and Making Progress
In recent years, colleges and universities have been working diligently to address common pain points experienced by students and to improve their overall experience on campus. One area that has received significant attention is the recruitment process, where institutions have made strides to improve the experience of prospective students.
One way this has been accomplished is through the implementation of virtual tours and updated websites that provide a more comprehensive overview of the institution. This has helped to overcome some of the challenges of students not being able to visit the campus physically. These measures have enabled potential students and their families to get a sense of the campus and culture and better understand whether the institution is the right fit for them.
Moreover, many colleges and universities are focusing on their senior students, providing them with resources and support to ensure they have a positive experience as they approach graduation. To ensure students remain enrolled and do not drop out, many schools have implemented various support programs that students can access at any time, both during and outside of traditional business hours.
Colleges are also targeting students who are at risk of dropping out by providing them with more extensive support programs. These programs may include on-campus experiences, digital mentoring and advising programs, and even financial assistance.
colleges and universities must double down on their investments to support retention efforts
With extensive experience in the higher education industry, I strongly believe that colleges and universities must double down on their investments to support retention efforts. The financial impact of losing a student from a college or university is significant. As such, higher education institutions need to be investing in strategies that focus on student populations at risk of dropping out. This investment will ultimately lead to improved student retention rates, which is a key indicator of student success.
It is important for institutions to focus on supporting admitted students and demonstrating their commitment to helping them succeed. By doing so, colleges and universities can achieve powerful persistence and retention outcomes. With the shortfall in student retention rates, it is clear that institutions must invest in improved support systems and urgent interventions to help students succeed.
Institutions have a few options when it comes to investing in these efforts. One option is to consider professional development solutions that can help faculty and staff provide better support to students. By investing in professional development, institutions can ensure that their employees have the necessary skills to identify and address issues that may lead to student dropouts. Another option for institutions is to partner with a consultative partner who has specialized expertise in research, strategic planning, curriculum/program development, implementation, and evaluation support.
Are you looking for a reliable, knowledgeable partner to help you achieve your organizational goals? If so, look no further than our team at Beyond College Access!