1. Refocus & Retain The Roadway to Student Success Presented by: Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management Summer 2009 Cabinet Retreat Presented by: Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management Summer 2009 Cabinet Retreat

2. Retention Myths  Reaching out to retain students begins after enrollment.  A student’s decision to stay or leave a campus is made independently.  Retention is all about financial aid.  Students are forthright about their reasons for leaving school.

3. Retention Realities  Retention begins during recruitment and continues throughout the student’s academic career.  Retention efforts are most effective when families are included in the process.  Retention is influenced by excellent support and service guided by “real” people and authentic experiences  Retention is not easy and requires us to collaborate, advise, refer, and follow-through; we must be solution-oriented to avoid attrition.

4. General Persistence Theory

5. Students’ Decisions to Stay Financial Resources Academic Preparedness Social & Academic Integration Commitment to their Academic Goals Campus Climate

6. Taking Action  Build meaningful relationships  Share the NIU culture  Value and praise students  Get students involved  Provide academic support  Be mindful of cultural & family influences

7. The enemy of great, is good. Retention is a by-product of great people, programs & services

8. Taking Action  Development of a division-wide retention plan  What is already happening? How are these efforts being measured? Think… small changes, big impact!  What can be immediately integrated? Think… small changes, big impact!

9. Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.  William James

10. Questions?