July 16, 2015

Summit to focus on student retention, programming

Two upcoming conferences for faculty and staff will examine student retention and programming initiatives. 

The university’s “2015 Summer Summit Strategies to Enhance Student Retention, Persistence and Engagement” will be July 28 and Aug. 11. The professional development summit is designed for deans, associate deans, assistant deans, faculty, academic advisers, assessment committee members, recruitment and retention coordinators, the registrar’s office, registration and transfer student services personnel, and undergraduate admissions staff. 

The two sessions will feature different topics. Each session is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Morris Library rooms 752 and 754. Space is limited to 50 people for each date. For more information, or to register, include attendance dates and email Kim Little, director of undergraduate online student services in the College of Business at klittle@business.siu.edu. 

The presentations are: 

July 28 – “Retention/Persistence Efforts for Student Success and Engagement” 

Presenters: Craig Anz, associate dean for academic affairs, College of Applied Sciences and Arts, and Jill Gebke, assistant dean, College of Business. 

The topics are:

  • College of Applied Sciences and Arts’ “N.E.A.T.” initiative. The collaborative initiative prompts faculty to pay close attention to student performance throughout the semester and contact their unit advisers with any concerns. N.E.A.T. stands for: “N” for reporting potential no-show students at the beginning of class; “E” for engage at the end of the fourth week of class; “A” for assess at mid-term prior to final drop dates; and “T” for term, a week or two prior to finals if a student is in danger of receiving a failing or significantly lower grade.
  • College of Business “S.T.A.R.S” program. Developed in 2011, the “Steps Toward Academic Responsibility and Success” is a retention program in which the college provides an integrated support network from academic advisement, enrollment management and the student’s major department. The program encourages students to take an active role in their education and features personalized student assessments, and can include tutoring, counseling and mentoring, along with academic goals and minimum requirements. 

Aug. 11 – “Proactive Programming Initiatives” 

Presenters: Deborah Barnett, coordinator, Non-Traditional Student Services; Paul S. Copeland, coordinator, Veterans Services; Amanda Sutton, associate director, operations, Undergraduate Admissions; and JD Tanner, director, Touch of Nature Environmental Center. 

The topics are:

  • “A student-centered approach to veteran and non-traditional student success.” The university’s veteran and non-traditional student population is growing. The session will discuss the unique needs and preferences of these student groups along with strategies and resources to help them achieve their educational goal.
  • “Dawg Days at Touch of Nature.” The discussion will focus on the upcoming “Dawg Days” at Touch of Nature, Aug. 16-19. 
  • “Helping DACA recipients through admission and beyond.” The discussion will focus on students who fall under the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” program.

The university’s Advisory Council on Academic Advisement and the Co-Curricular Assessment Committee are sponsoring the summit.