Retention research has resulted in a number of theories, models, and frameworks, and the adoption of related strategies by institutions of higher education to graduate the students they admit. These strategies include programming designed to welcome students, give them a sense of belonging, and involve them in the academic and social realms of the…

University and college leaders are tasked with enhancing student outcomes with fewer resources. Student retention is one such key outcome of interest for many policy makers as well as for university administrators. Over the years, administrators have turned to High Impact Practices (HIPs) such as Learning Communities (LCs) to aid in retention.…

Undergraduate students are leaving higher education at an alarming rate. Student retention is one of the most important measures of success at a university. This study engaged in an action research (AR) study using Dweck's (2006) theory of growth mindset to study growth mindset in relation to the retention of undergraduate students seeking an…

Metacognition involves the monitoring, regulation, and evaluation of one's own cognitive processes and is known to enhance educational outcomes and retention in students (Bruin & Van Gog, 2012). This study assessed metacognitive practices among college students at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, by administering existing…

Many initiatives attempt to smooth transitions between 2-year colleges and 4-year universities, but retention and graduation rates for transfer-students are still low, especially in STEM. The Transfer-student Research and Integration Program (TRIP) at the University of Central Florida was developed to meet the needs of a diverse transfer…

Engineering, aviation/aerospace, and nursing are top critical occupations in Oklahoma, meaning each area has consistent workforce shortages when compared to the notable industry growth projected over the next ten years (Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, 2023; Oklahoma Career Tech, 2023; OSRHE, 2021; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). In higher…

Since its implementation in 2006, Portugal's full-time schools programme led to a massive increase of curricular enrichment and family-support activities in public schools throughout the country. The literature review brings together important contributions from previous research and assessments of the full-time school programme, including results…

A collection of data points can show an abundance of information about a college student, telling a data-driven story about a student's past, current, and sometimes predicting future challenges at the university but some challenges may not be able to be indicated by data points alone. Challenges such as mental health, financial challenges,…

To improve student success outcomes and close equity gaps, Boise State University has been testing a variety of ways to embed design thinking methodologies into the rhythm of student affairs work and serves as a case study for other university leaders looking to accelerate innovation on behalf of students. Design thinking can be effective in…

Although it has become increasing popular for first-time-in-college (FTIC) spring enrollment, there has been no empirical study on spring starters. Existing literature on delayed enrollment has not distinguished students by the semester in which they have matriculated. The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) does not collect…

This study presents a comparative analysis of student outcomes between online and face-to-face learning modalities at an urban community college in the Midwest, with a focus on retention and academic success. The college serves an average of 14,000 students annually across more than seventy career programs. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the…

This quantitative nonexperimental comparative study aimed to evaluate if a difference exists between senior leadership groups at an institution regarding student retention and student satisfaction and if a relationship exists between student satisfaction and retention at a private college in Illinois. Prior research validates the effects of…

Retention continues to be a point of concern for academic institutions, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled growing concerns for institutions ranging from community colleges to universities. Past research has identified various psychological factors significant to the discussion of academic success and retention. Recent scholarship…

Student experience and belonging is a primary driver of postsecondary learning, persistence, and completion. This paper provides strategies that can help policymakers and leaders at all levels to cultivate positive student experiences and foster students' sense of belonging, leading to strong academic performance, retention, and good mental…

Performance-based funding (PBF) models have become increasingly prevalent in higher education. While designed to improve student outcomes, their effectiveness, particularly at community and technical colleges (CTCs), remains uncertain. Given CTCs' crucial role in providing equitable education, understanding PBF's effectiveness is imperative for…