Students enter postsecondary institutions to change their lives in some way, with degree pursuits providing opportunities to grow academically, socially, and professionally. However, significant numbers of students are unable to meet the goals they had set for themselves when they entered college. Developed by the What Works Clearinghouse™ (WWC)…

At its most effective, advising is a collaborative process between a student and an advisor designed to help the student realize their educational potential. Most postsecondary institutions have historically used advisors to help students select and register for courses, but postsecondary institutions are increasingly asking advisors to play an…

This publication is for faculty, administrators, and other academic leaders who are poised to mount comprehensive STEM reforms to improve student learning and success, particularly for students from underrepresented groups. Based on the experiences of eleven colleges and universities in the Keck/PKAL STEM Education Effectiveness Framework project,…

Even as the number of students attending college has more than doubled in the past forty years, it is still the case that nearly half of all college students in the United States will not complete their degree within six years. It is clear that much remains to be done toward improving student success. For more than twenty years, Vincent Tinto's…

The chapters in this collection present an approach to changing attitudes about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) students, faculty, and staff on college campuses. The book explores a wide range of subjects and contains basic tools to establish programs for LGBT students. The chapters of part 1, "The Campus Environment: Campus-Wide…

A strategy, based on organizational change literature, for establishing a college program for learning-disabled students includes such crucial steps as assessing the change effort (nature of the change, environmental factors, initiators of change), establishing a campaign plan (program and decision centers), and developing deployment tactics…

This position paper was written to answer a series of basic questions frequently asked about attrition and retention at Empire State College (ESC), New York. The questions addressed in the report are: (1) What is the attrition rate at ESC? (2) How does ESC's attrition rate compare to other colleges? (3) Who are the leavers? (4) When does attrition…

The paper describes an inservice workshop on learning disabilities for college faculty including the processes used to assess needs and promote inservice involvement. Positive inservice evaluations suggested attainment of program goals of providing information about learning disabilities and discussing ethical and pedagogical issues concerning…

The process used by Brown University (Rhode Island) to develop a day care program for infant and toddler children of staff and students is described. Key issues (goals, philosophy, budget) and considerations (day care users' needs, space needs and availability, staffing, budgeting, implementation plan) are discussed. A sample user survey and…

Programming that involves both the alumni association and current students can build good working relationships, promote the alumni office, and help provide efficient student programming. The experiences of several colleges and universities illustrate the creative role alumni can play in campus programs. (MSE)

Evaluation of the impact of prospective students' contacts with the institution is an objective of the admissions research agenda at Tufts University (Massachusetts). An annual survey gathers information on individuals who make inquiries but do not submit an application and on the parents of matriculating students. (MSE)

This article describes the development of a program for college students with learning disabilities at Randolph Macon College (Virginia), focusing on recognition of the need for change, the political realities of change, and the resulting continuum of services offered to these students. (DB)

Assessment in higher education is shifting from the state house to the college campus. Information is provided to help campus administrators make the best decision regarding their institutions. A general perspective is offered to senior administrators with little previous experience in systematic assessment. Section I, "Assessment: What Is It…

It is argued that if colleges and universities want involved alumni, they must begin during the student years. Activities and approaches to take during each of the four college years to help establish a mutually supportive relationship are outlined, and illustrated with examples from a variety of institutions. (MSE)

In recent years there has been a remarkable increase in the number of alcohol and other drug education, prevention, and treatment programs in higher education and funding has not kept pace with program development. The purpose of this document is to help those unfamiliar with the process of funding development to identify possible resources and to…